ISO 105-E03 is a textile colour fastness test method for evaluating how well dyed or printed materials resist colour change when exposed to chlorinated water at levels representative of swimming-pool disinfection.
If you need help determining whether ISO 105-E03 is the right chlorine-exposure method for your product (for example, swimwear versus towels or accessories), talk with our team about your material, colourant system, and the most appropriate condition to run.
ISO 105-E03: Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part E03: Colour fastness to chlorinated water (swimming-pool water)
ISO 105-E03 is used when product performance depends on appearance retention after repeated or incidental exposure to chlorinated pool water. It is commonly specified for coloured textile materials where chlorine can cause shade change, fading, or tone shift.
The standard is part of the ISO 105 colour fastness series and is typically referenced in customer specifications, internal QA/QC release testing, and product development benchmarking for pool-use textiles.
Quick Definition
ISO 105-E03 exposes a textile specimen to a defined, dilute chlorine solution under controlled conditions, then evaluates the resulting change in colour using a grey scale rating and/or instrumental colour measurement.
What This Standard Covers
This method addresses resistance of colour to active chlorine concentrations used for swimming-pool water disinfection (break-point chlorination). It applies to textiles of all kinds and in all forms.
ISO 105-E03 includes multiple alternative test conditions, including chlorine levels commonly associated with swimwear and separate conditions often used for poolside accessories.
Why This Standard Matters in Testing
Chlorine exposure can be a decisive real-world stressor for coloured textiles used in or around pools. A colour fastness result to ISO 105-E03 helps teams compare dye/finish choices, control colour consistency between lots, and screen constructions that may be more prone to visible shade change after chlorinated-water contact.
Because the test outcome is a rating (and can also be instrumentally assessed), the usefulness of results depends on matching the specified condition, exposure details, and assessment approach to what is cited in the customer or internal requirement.
Common Materials, Product Types, or Applications Covered
ISO 105-E03 is commonly applied to products such as:
- Swimwear fabrics and finished garments
- Pool-use performance textiles where chlorine contact is expected
- Accessories exposed to pool water (for example, towels, robes, and similar items)
It is used across fibre types and fabric forms when colour durability in chlorinated water is a stated performance requirement.
Common Test or Verification Workflow
A typical ISO 105-E03 workflow centers on controlled exposure and post-exposure colour assessment.
Common workflow steps: Prepare specimens, expose in a defined chlorine solution under controlled conditions, dry the specimens, then assess the change in colour using grey scale ratings and/or instrumental evaluation.
Common outputs: Grey scale rating(s) and/or instrumental assessment results for change in colour, along with the chlorine concentration used and any agreed deviations from the procedure.
Equipment Commonly Used for This Standard
ISO 105-E03 is an exposure-and-assessment method, so equipment selection typically focuses on maintaining stable solution conditions and consistent specimen treatment.
Common equipment families: A thermostatically controlled water bath with an agitation/mechanical device suitable for treating specimens in solution, laboratory glassware for preparing and handling test solutions (including water meeting laboratory-grade requirements), specimen handling/drying tools, and colour assessment tools (grey scales and/or instrumental colour measurement equipment).
For quoting or configuring a setup, the key practical questions are usually specimen capacity (how many can be run per batch), temperature control needs, agitation approach, and whether your reporting requires visual grey scale ratings, instrumental assessment, or both.
How to Read This Designation or Revision
ISO 105-E03 identifies the ISO 105 colour fastness series and the specific Part E03 method for chlorinated water (swimming-pool water).
ISO 105-E03:2010 indicates the 2010 edition of the standard. When a requirement cites ISO 105-E03, matching the cited edition (and the specified test condition within the method) is important because reporting and assessment expectations may vary by specification.
Related Standards, Methods, or Frameworks
ISO 105-E03 is typically used alongside other ISO 105 parts that define general test principles and colour change assessment tools.
Common companion references: ISO 105-A01 (general principles of testing), ISO 105-A02 (grey scale for assessing change in colour), and ISO 105-A05 (instrumental assessment of change in colour for grey scale rating). It also references laboratory-grade water requirements (ISO 3696) for solution preparation.
Request pricing for an ISO 105-E03 test setup
If you are equipping a lab to run ISO 105-E03 routinely and want to compare bath capacity, agitation options, and colour assessment approaches, you can request a detailed quote based on your specimen volume and reporting requirements.
