TESTING OVERVIEW

Testing was carried out by an independent testing house between June and July 2012. Five core school uniform clothing items were tested (Trouser, Skirt, Polo Shirt, Shirt and Cardigan).

The tests were carried out against equivalent products from ASDA, BHS, Sainsbury's, Tesco, Next and John Lewis. Most tests were carried out following British Standards Institute or ISO methodologies. Some testing was the in-house methodology of the testing house where there is no appropriate BSI or ISO methodology available. We tested grey trousers and skirts, white polo shirts and boy's shirts and navy cardigans. All garments were washed in accordance with the care label instructions. Below is an outline of each of the tests. Full result for each garment are below:

Test 1

Dimensional Stability Test

British Standard EN ISO 6330:2001 - Domestic Washing and Drying Procedure for textiles

Measures the changes in garment measurement (either shrinkage or stretch) across width and 2 x length measurements for each garment. Results are given as % change after 30 washes.

Test applied to: All garments

Test 2

Appearance after 30 washes. BSI standard BS EN ISO 15487: 2010 (appearance only) and in-house method 15.3.1 (appearance and handle)

Standard criteria are applied to describe how washing in accordance with the care label instructions has altered the appearance and handling of the garment after 30 washes. Changes are described on a scale ranging from negligible to distinct. The less the garment's appearance and feel changed, the higher it was ranked. The test combined BSI objective standards for appearance with in-house objective criteria for appearance issues not covered by the BSI (e.g. the garment developing holes) and objective grading on how the garment handles after 30 washes.

Test applied to: All garments

Test 3

Colour change after 30 washes to a BSI standard. Colour change is graded on Grey Scale for assessing change in colour

20105-A02: 1995

Measures colour change (either fading or discolouration) after 30 washes on an objective BSI scale. The higher the score, the better the garment retained its original colour.

Test applied to: All garments

Test 4

Permanent Crease Retention - Garments are washed in accordance with BSI standards. Fabric is assessed using AATCC smoothness appearance replicas. Seams are assessed against the Seam Appearance 3D Replicas J1S L1905

Measures how well the garment retains permanent creases after 30 washes. The higher the score, the better the garment retained its original permanent crease.

Test applied to: Trousers

Test 5

Oil Repellancy - British Standard EN ISO 14419: 2010 Textiles Oil Repellancy - Hydrocarbon resistance test

Measures the ability of the garment to repel a liquid stain. The higher the score, the better the garment repelled the stain.

Test applied to: Tousers, Skirt

Test 6

Spray Rating - British Standard EN ISO 24920: 1992 ISO 4920:1981

Measures the ability of the garment to repel water sprayed onto the surface of the garment. The higher the score, the better the garment repels water.

Test applied to: Trousers & Skirt

Test 7

Anti Soil Test - Independent Testing House developed Testing Method 6.7.2 - Assessment of effectiveness of anti-soil finishes

Assesses the effectiveness of anti-soil finishes applied to the garment after 30 washes. The named staining substance is applied to the garment and the garment is then washed and graded on how well the stain is released by the garment during the washing process. The higher the score, the better the garment repelled the stain.

Test applied to: Shirt & Polo Shirt

Test 8

Pilling Test - British Standard EN ISO 124945-2 - Determination of fabric propensity to surface fuzzing and pilling (Modified Martindale Method)

Assesses the effect of friction on the surface of the garment by visually determining the level of surface pilling (bobbling) and fuzzing after 5 washes (in accordance with the BSI standard). The higher the score, the less pilling and fuzzing there is on the surface of the garment.

Test applied to: Cardigan

Test 9

Non Iron - BS EN ISO 15487:2010

Assesses the fabric and seams of the garment after washing. The higher the score, the less ironing the garment would require.

Test applied to: Shirt

General Quality Claims:

Durability Claim based on Tests 1, 2, 4, 6, 7 & 8

Colour retention claim based on Test 3

Appearance claim based on Tests 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 & 9

Specific Claims:

Cardigan ad - Tests 3 & 8

Shirt ad - Test 7

Products Tested - Product description and product codes from the garment care labels and/or swing ticket attached to the garment

ASDA

2pk Minimal Ironing Shirt - ANA5052558604587

Adjustable-Waist Trouser - ANA50525558618126

Cardigan - ANA5052765432300

Box-Pleat Skirt - ANA5052765981198

2pk Polo Shirt - ANA5052558516620

BHS

2 Pack Long Sleeved Non Iron Shirt - 8976740306

Trouser With Zipped Back Pocket - 8977322561

Classic Cardigan - 8964470249

Girls Pleated Skirt - 8950310870

2pk Polo Tops - 8978280306

John Lewis

2pk Non Iron Shirt - 230485511

Easy-Care Trousers - 230484281

V-Neck Cardigan - 230826396

Pleated Skirt - 53942825

2pk Polo Shirt - 231114563

M&S

2pk Ultimate Non Iron Shirt - T765736

Pleat Front Trouser - T764620D

Cotton Rich Cardigan - T761329

Pleated Skirt - T760112R

2pk Stainaway Polo Shirt - T76/2038

Next

2pk ETI Shirt - 104-166-G37

Grey Trouser - 100-199-X49

Cardigan - 120-258-895

Grey Pleated Skirt - 392-540-G37

2pk Polo Shirt - 800-109-G37

Sainsbury's

3pk Non Iron Shirt - 5052767639684

Perfect Crease Trouser - 5052767332332

Pure Cotton Cardigan - 5051133584153

Permanent Pleat Skirt - 5052767294524

3pk Easycare Polo Shirt - 5052767636010

Tesco

2pk ETI Shirt - AG239204

Trouser Pleat Front - AG239244

Cardigan Girls - AP239209

Skirt Girls - AP211801

2pk 100% Cotton Polo Shirt - AG239200