5.1 This guide may be used to evaluate textiles used in apparel. Earlier publications contained information for use in trials for upholstered furniture products, floor coverings, window treatments, and bed, bath, and table linens. That information is now located in Appendix X1.

5.2 This guide may be used for several purposes:

5.2.1 To determine the comparative performance of new or existing products,

5.2.2 To determine the suitability of current products in different end-uses, and

5.2.3 To evaluate and compare the effect of wear of construction details as well as specific fabrics, fibers, dyeings, finishing, fabrication techniques, etc.

5.3 This guide provides for flexibility in design and evaluation since the information sought from each wear test will vary (see Appendix X1).

5.4 This guide may be used to compare the wear performance of two or more textiles when these are included in the same test, or to compare a textile whose properties have not been evaluated with one having a known performance history.

5.5 The standard test methods and guides listed in 2.1 and 2.2 are not to be considered as limited to only those cited. It is recognized that textile innovations of chemistries on fibers and fabrics may require the use of other standards methods or modifications to existing standards. Further, product development efforts within companies may call for the use of internal procedures when investigation of worthiness of the innovation or prediction of consumer preference or satisfaction is questioned.

1.1 This guide is intended to provide guidance for the design of an experiment for the purpose of developing a prediction of expected wear performance of apparel and textile products when exposed to actual use conditions.

1.2 This guide recommends the use of a product for which a history of its performance is known from laboratory testing and consumer use as the basis for statistical significance of new product’s performance, however, other design or experimental approaches may be used.

1.3 The wide variety of textile products and the conditions under which consumers will use products prevents the inclusion of all types of wear trial experiments for research and development, product innovation studies, and special needs such as those for healthcare industry or military.

1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.