08/31/2026

Successful Start for IAC-Certified Standard Untreated Reference Control Fabrics (8/31/26)

Earlier this year, at the International Antimicrobial Council (IAC), we introduced IAC-Certified Standard Untreated Reference Control (SRC) Fabrics through our partnership with Testfabrics, Inc. Since the rollout, the response from laboratories, brands, retailers, technology suppliers, and other organizations involved in textile testing has been highly positive. Strong interest, adoption, and orders have demonstrated the need and value of providing reliable, consistent untreated control fabrics that are readily available for use across global industries. The initiative addressed a practical challenge that we at the IAC have observed for several years. When manufacturers of treated articles could not provide untreated samples, laboratories often had to independently source fabrics for use as controls, creating several challenges. Laboratories first needed to obtain an untreated material as required by applicable standardized test methods. They also needed to consider whether there was residual chemistry from processing aids, softeners, finishing agents, or other treatments that could directly influence the behavior of the control material. These factors can affect testing and introduce another potential source of variability into the data and resulting test results. Access to IAC-Certified SRC Fabrics provides organizations with a consistent and defined option for this important test material. The impact has extended beyond convenience. Laboratories can obtain SRC Fabrics through an established global supplier of textile testing materials rather than spending time identifying and sourcing suitable untreated controls independently. Organizations that conduct testing through multiple laboratories can also specify the same SRC Fabric when appropriate, helping reduce differences associated with the untreated control material. This does not eliminate laboratory or test method variability, but it removes one avoidable source of material and performance variation from the testing process. The positive response from global industries also reflects the value of the IAC and Testfabrics partnership. IAC contributes its technical knowledge of antimicrobial testing and the requirements surrounding untreated control materials, while Testfabrics provides extensive experience in manufacturing and supplying standardized textile testing materials. Together, our organizations have created a practical pathway for making SRC Fabrics readily accessible to laboratories and companies around the world. For brands, retailers, manufacturers, technology suppliers, and laboratories, greater consistency in testing inputs supports greater confidence in how testing programs are designed and managed. SRC Fabrics provide a defined untreated control that can be incorporated into applicable testing programs while allowing organizations to maintain their established testing and compliance systems. Their growing use since the rollout demonstrates how focused improvements to testing infrastructure can provide meaningful value across the textile supply chain.