Testing & Analysis

Testing and product analysis are conducted on a variety of items such as clothing, toys, appliances, sporting goods, outdoor living items, Exchange brand items, etc. in order to:

  • Assist buying decisions
  • Check performance and features of an item
  • Verify customer complaints / returns
  • Answer store-level questions

The Exchange will remain diligent in its efforts to assure our customers receive a safe product.

Samples are tested and evaluated under different conditions for safety aspects or to see how well an item performs under actual use. Follow-up testing and product evaluations are also completed after delivery of merchandise to assure our suppliers continue to supply quality merchandise consistently.

In cases where we are unable to test an item, we utilize well known commercial testing laboratories or one of the military laboratories for testing purposes.

In some cases, we ask our suppliers to furnish a copy of test results, no older than 6 months, from a well known testing laboratory.

Electrical products purchased by Exchange require a third party certification from an organization such as the Underwriters Laboratories (UL), CSA International, CSA, Intertek Testing Services (ETL), etc. for electrical or gas safety and must carry certifying agency's seal.

Product Requirements for Compliance

Exchange Consumer Protection Laboratory Test Methods

Test Description Specification Test Method Exchange Test Method
Fabric
Weight (oz/sq. Yd) as applicable ASTM D 3776 A-8
Construction: per inch as applicable ASTM D3 775 A-7
Ends X Picks (Woven) as applicable ASTM D3 775 A-7
Wales X Courses (Knit) as applicable ASTM D3 775 A-7
Strength Properties
Tensile Strength:
(lbs./inch)
(For Woven)		 35.0 ASTM D 1682 A-9
Bursting Strength:
(lbs/inch)
(for Knit)		 as applicable ASTM D 3786 A-10
Tear Strength: (lbs.) 1.5 min. ASTM D 1424 A-11
Seam Strength: (lbs.) 20.0 min. ASTM D 1683 A-12
Knit    
Abrasion Wear Performance
Flat Abrasion 300 min. ASTM D 3886 A-13
Piling Resistance @ 5000 rubs 3.0 min. ASTM D 3514 A-14
Frosting: due to flat abrasion 4.0 min. AATCC 120 A-5
Dimensional Stability
5 Home Launderings 5.0 max. AATCC 150 A-6
3 Dry Cleaning 3.0 max.
 AATCC 132 A-23
Woven (Warp/Weft) 3.5% max.    
Knits (Length/Width) 5.0% max.    
Appearance Retention
Overall Appearance 3.5 min. AATCC Test Method 143
Smoothness of Seams 3.0 min. AATCC Test Method 88B A-15
Crease Retention 3.0 min. AATCC Test Method 88C A-16
Color Fastness
Home Laundering      
Shade 4.0 min. AATCC Test Method 61 A-1
Stain 3.0 min. A-6
Chlorine Bleach 4.0 min. AATCC Test Method 172  
Non-Chlorine Bleach 4.0 min. AATCC Test Method 172  
Accelerated Laundering      
Shade 3.5 min. AATCC Test Method 61 A-1
Stain 3.0 min. AATCC Test Method 61 A-1
Accelerated Dry-Cleaning      
Shade 3.0 min. AATCC Test Method 132 A-23
Stain 3.0 min. AATCC Test Method 132 A-23
Perspiration      
Shade 4.0 min. AATCC Test Method 15 A-3
Stain 3.0 min. AATCC Test Method 15 A-3
Color Fastness to Light      
(20 AFU) 4.0 min. AATCC Test Method 16 A-4
Crocking      
Dry 4.0 min. AATCC Test Method 8 A-2
Wet 3.0 min. AATCC Test Method 8 A-2
Soil / Stain Release 4.0 min. AATCC Test Method 130 A-18
Water Repellency: Spray Test 90 min AATCC Test Method 22 A-17
Flammability
General Apparel (45 degree) Class I 16 CFR 1610 A-20
    16 CFR 1615 A-21
    16 CFR 1616 A-22
Test Description Specification Test Method Exchange Test Method
Toy Safety
Standard Consumer Toy Safety as applicable ASTM F 963-96a H - 8
Hazardous Substances Act Regulations. as applicable 16 CFR 1500  
Labeling Art Materials as applicable ASTM D 4236-94(2001)
Small Objects as applicable 16 CFR 1501
Electrically Operated Toys as applicable 16 CFR 1505
Rattles as applicable 16 CFR 1510
Pacifiers as applicable 16 CFR 1511 
Flammability of Clothing as applicable 16 CFR 1610
Cleaning Efficiency: (for Detergent Products)
Controlled Laundering Test as applicable ASTM D 2960 - 98 H - 1
45 deg. Angle Directional Reflective Factor as applicable ASTM D 3050 - 98
Measuring Soil Removal as applicable   ASTM E 1347 - 97
Personal Hygiene Products:
Strikeback: as applicable No References H - 2
Dispersion: as applicable No References H - 3
Total Absorbency and Absorptive Capacity: as applicable No References H - 4
Absorbency Rate:(Sanitary Products) as applicable No References H - 5
Umbrellas:
Corrosion Resistance: as applicable No References H - 6
Windproofness: as applicable No References H - 7
Foaming:
Foaming Properties as applicable ASTM D 1173-53(2001) H - 9
Evaluation of Wetting Agents as applicable ASTM D 2281-68(1997) H - 9
Solid Content:
Moisture Content by Oven and Balance Method as applicable Federal Test Method Standard No. 191 Method 2601 H - 10
Evaluation and Drying of Analytical Solutions as applicable ASTM D 4902 - 99 H - 10
Dental Floss
Wax Content: as applicable No References H - 11
Appliance Electrical Safety
Dielectric Voltage Breakdown: as applicable Various UL Standards H - 12
Leakage Current in Electrical Appliances: as applicable Various UL Standards H - 13
Electrical Personal Grooming Appliances: as applicable UL Standard #859 H - 14
Opacity: (Plastic and Paper Products)
Opacity of Paper  as applicable ASTM D 589 - 97 H - 15
Polyethylene Film and Sheeting as applicable ASTM D 2103 - 97 H - 15
Transparency of Plastic Sheeting as applicable ASTM D 1746 - 97 H - 15
Haze and Luminous Transmittance of Transparent Plastics as applicable ASTM D 1003 - 00 H - 15