Overview
EN ISO 17751-1:2023 (CEN adoption of ISO 17751-1:2023) specifies a light microscopy (LM) method for the identification and quantitative analysis of cashmere, wool, other specialty animal fibres and their blends. The standard applies to loose fibres, intermediate products (sliver, yarn) and final textile products (woven and knitted fabrics). It is the updated second edition that replaces EN ISO 17751-1:2016.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and principle: Describes the LM-based approach for qualitative identification and quantitative determination of fibre fractions in blends where animal fibres have similar morphology.
- Reagents and apparatus: Lists required reagents and microscopy equipment, including calibration tools (stage micrometer) and options for projection or transmitted‑light microscopes and visual image analysers.
- Sampling and conditioning: Specifies lot sampling, laboratory sample preparation and conditioning to ensure representative and reproducible analysis.
- Specimen preparation: Procedures for preparing loose fibres, sliver, yarn, woven and knitted fabrics for microscopy.
- Microscopy procedure: Setting magnification, fibre identification, and fibre diameter measurement methods using projection microscopes, wedge/linear scales or image analysers.
- Calculation and reporting: How to calculate and express quantitative results, and the required content of the test report.
- Annexes: Includes normative drawing for sampling (Annex A), informative guidance on decolouration (Annex B), surface morphology micrographs of common animal fibres (Annex C) and fibre density data (Annex D).
Note: This edition includes procedural updates such as increased specimen numbers and an added requirement for a third test set when two results disagree, plus new and clarified apparatus and pre-treatment provisions.
Applications
- Quality control and incoming inspection of cashmere and wool products to verify fibre content and composition.
- Product authentication and labelling compliance, supporting claims about cashmere or specialty animal-fibre percentages.
- Forensic and dispute resolution where precise quantitative fibre content is required.
- R&D and material development for textile manufacturers optimizing blends and performance.
- Regulatory and trade compliance, used by testing laboratories providing certification for retail brands and import/export documentation.
Who uses this standard
- Textile testing laboratories and accredited analytical labs
- Quality managers and product engineers in textile and apparel companies
- Certification bodies, customs and regulatory authorities
- Textile R&D teams and material scientists
- Brands and buyers requiring verified fibre content (cashmere/wool blends)
Related standards
- Part of the ISO 17751 series (see ISO website for other parts). EN ISO 17751-1:2023 is a CEN-endorsed European Standard and supersedes the 2016 edition.
Keywords: EN ISO 17751-1:2023, ISO 17751-1:2023, cashmere testing, wool analysis, light microscopy, quantitative analysis, specialty animal fibres, textile standards.
