EDANA and INDA, the leading global nonwovens associations, have jointly announceed the launch of the 2021 edition of the Nonwovens Standard Procedures (NWSP) which technically define nonwoven products in terms of properties and composition.

Offering harmonised language for the industry across the USA and Europe and recognised by many other individual markets, the procedures offer a way for the nonwovens industry to communicate both across the globe, and within the supply chain, to ensure that product properties can be consistently described, produced and tested.

The harmonised methods contained in the latest NWSP include 107 individual test procedures and guidance documents to support applications across the nonwovens and related industries.

“The NWSP document is designed to provide a standard series of test methods of the various properties desired in nonwovens and engineered fabrics,” said INDA president Dave Rousse. “It is an indispensable resource for innovators and product developers to communicate with buyers and ensure their products meet the exact specifications demanded by markets and customers. Additionally, laboratory personnel will benefit with enhanced accessibility to the most comprehensive body of nonwovens test methods available in the industry.”

“I am delighted with the complete revision and update to the Nonwovens Standard Procedures,” said Pierre Wiertz, general manager of EDANA. “They undoubtedly constitute the best set of globally applicable test methods for the nonwovens and related industries.”

The 2021 edition includes updated or modified procedures with a numbering structure that makes the document intuitive to search and use. Additionally, each method also includes a page to summarise and track relevant changes made to the document. In an effort to make all methods more consistent, each one is now presented in a format building on the International Standards Organisation (ISO) template, facilitating any future possible submission to ISO in an effort to become a recognized international standard or technical specification.

As in previous editions, the table of contents for the NWSP document includes references to existing related ISO standards, which makes it easier for technicians to choose the most relevant procedure or methods to apply to their product.

The document is available on both websites:

www.inda.org

www.edana.org