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 |