By making the test more widely available via third party laboratories, it’s hoped companies can add to the industry’s understanding of microfibre emissions which will help inform future solutions.
TMC developed its test method in partnership with the University of Leeds, the European Outdoor Group (EOG) and its broader stakeholder network.
To date, more than 250 materials including ~170 knit fabrics and ~80 woven fabrics – ranging in fabric weight from 6g/m2 to 500g/m2 – have been tested and logged on TMC’s database.
Looking ahead, by enabling stakeholders to leverage the test at the sites of third-party laboratory members, such as SGS and Eurofins, TMC can accelerate the number of textiles tested for microfibre emissions, in turn bolstering its data portal.
“It has always been our intention to publicly release this method for broader use across the textile industry and we are very excited to now do this,” said TMC executive director, Sophie Mather.
“We are able to do so following a year of robust testing and use by our members, and with additional accreditation steps in place with the third-party labs. All of this has been possible thanks to the collaborative nature of how the test method has been developed.
“We openly invite any organisations that are looking to utilise this method to submit results to the TMC Fibre Fragmentation Data Portal. This is a really important resource that is already being using by TMC members,” she added.
“Opening it up will increase the scale of understanding at a global level, which is an essential step as the textile industry seeks to reduce the level of microfibre shedding. Submitting data to the portal will help everyone to strengthen and expedite the actions that are needed to bring about necessary change around the world.”