Committees
AATCC committees meet twice per year (usually May and November) to develop test methods, conferences, and other educational programs or publications.
Test Method Research Committees develop and maintain the AATCC test methods published in the AATCC Manual. Technology Research Committees meet to stay current on research, innovation, and trends in a particular area while also organizing educational activities. Administrative Committees oversee AATCC activities, including awards, publications, and education. Meetings are free to attend, and most are open to the public unless otherwise noted. All input is welcome, but you must be an AATCC member to vote. Meetings are often held virtually, and some are held in-person.
Why Join a Committee?
Standards development benefits from participation by a broad range of stakeholders. Your perspective is important.
AATCC test methods, procedures, and monographs are developed by research committees through research, testing, and discussion, often taking several years of work. Simplicity, reproducibility, applicability, cost to perform, and the time to perform are all important considerations. The content of many AATCC standards form the basis of equivalent ISO documents. Before a standard is published in the AATCC Manual of International Test Methods and Procedures, it must be approved by the responsible research committee and the Technical Committee on Research (TCR).
Committee membership offers many benefits:
Influence
Committee members vote on new test method proposals, as well as revisions and reaffirmations of existing methods. Every vote counts. The committee must address each negative vote before the method can proceed. Comments may not stop an item, but are given serious consideration and often result in a new round of revisions.
As a member of an AATCC committee, you also enhance your reputation as an expert and influencer in your field.
Awareness
Only committee members receive meeting notices, agendas, and minutes. Joining a committee is the best way to stay informed! Be among the first to know when new methods are proposed or approved. Stay current on industry advances as well as challenges.
Leadership
There are numerous leadership opportunities. From joining a task group to chairing a committee, there are many ways to hone your skills and enhance your reputation as an industry expert.
Connections
Create a network of like-minded professionals. Being part of a committee allows colleagues, competitors, and supply chain partners to work together toward common goals. Fellow members become valuable resources—and often, lifelong friends.
If you are a member of AATCC, log in to access full contact information for each committee member. Non-members may view committee member names and companies.
Committees Directory
| Number | Committee Name | Category |
|---|---|---|
| RA23 | Colorfastness to Water Test Methods | Test Methods |
| RA24 | Fiber Analysis Test Methods | Test Methods |
| RA31 | Antimicrobial Activity Test Methods | Test Methods |
| RA32 | Static Electricity Test Methods | Test Methods |
| RA33 | Colorfastness to Atmospheric Contaminant Test Methods | Test Methods |
| RA34 | Preparation Test Methods | Test Methods |
| RA36 | Color Measurement Test Methods | Test Methods |
| RA38 | Colorfastness to Crocking Test Methods | Test Methods |
| RA42 | Dimensional Change Test Methods | Test Methods |
| RA43 | Professional Textile Care Test Methods | Test Methods |
| RA45 | Finish Analysis Test Methods | Test Methods |
| RA49 | Insect Resistance Test Methods | Test Methods |
| RA50 | Lightfastness and Weathering Test Methods | Test Methods |
| RA56 | Stain Resistance Test Methods | Test Methods |
| RA57 | Floor Covering Test Methods | Test Methods |
| RA60 | Colorfastness to Washing Test Methods | Test Methods |
| RA61 | Appearance Retention Test Methods | Test Methods |
| RA63 | Water Resistance | Test Methods |
| RA87 | Applied Dyeing & Characterization of Dyes Test Methods | Test Methods |
| RA89 | Hand Evaluation Test Methods | Test Methods |
| RA100 | Global Sustainability Test Methods | Test Methods |
| RA106 | UV Protective Textiles Test Methods | Test Methods |
| RA111 | Electronically Integrated Textiles Test Methods | Test Methods |
| RA112 | Thermal Regulation Test Methods | Test Methods |
| RA113 | Emerging Issues Test Methods | Test Methods |
| RA114 | Moisture Management | Test Methods |
| RA115 | Per-and Poly-fluoroalkyl Substances | Test Methods |
| RA80 | Printing Technology | Technology Research |
| RA88 | Home Laundering Technology | Technology Research |
| RA103 | Spectroscopic Technologies | Technology Research |
| RA104 | Garment Wet Processing Technology | Technology Research |
| RA109 | Flammability Technology | Technology Research |
| RA59 | Fibrous Test Materials | Independent Research |
| RA75 | Evaluation of Materials & Products for End Use Performance | Independent Research |
| RA99 | Technical Manual Editorial Review | Independent Research |
| RA102 | Statistics Advisory | Independent Research |
| C1 | AATCC Board of Directors | Administrative |
| C1-S14 | Study Committee on Employee Benefits | Administrative |
| C1-S16 | Awards Oversight Committee | Administrative |
| C1-S8 | Building and Grounds Committee | Administrative |
| C11 | Committee on Conferences | Administrative |
| C17 | Education Advisory Board | Administrative |
| C2 | Executive Committee on Research | Administrative |
| C2-S1 | International Test Methods | Administrative |
| C2-S3 | Colour Index Dyes Board | Administrative |
| C2-S4 | Joint AATCC/ASTM D13 | Administrative |
| C3 | Technical Committee on Research | Administrative |
| C5 | Appropriations Committee | Administrative |
| C6 | Membership Committee | Administrative |
| C7 | Publications Committee | Administrative |
| C7-S9 | AATCC Journal of Research | Administrative |
| C9 | Constitution & Bylaws Committee | Administrative |
| CS61 | Harold C. Chapin Award Committee | Administrative |
| CS65 | Olney Medal Award Committee | Administrative |
| CS70 | Henry E. Millson Award for Invention Committee | Administrative |
| CS75 | Young Professionals Committee | Administrative |
| C2 | Executive Committee on Research | ECR/TCR |
| C3 | Technical Committee on Research | ECR/TCR |
Committees Contacts
Types of Committees
Test Method Committees
Develop and maintain the test methods published in the AATCC Manual of International Test Methods and Procedures. They may also be responsible for evaluation procedures, monographs, or other technical documents. Test method committees may organize conferences, webinars, publications, or other educational activities.
Technology or Independent Research Committees
Stay current on research, innovation, and trends in a particular area.
Administrative Committees
Oversee AATCC activities, including awards, publications, and education. Membership on most of these committees is by election or appointment, but many meetings are open to the public.
ECR Committee
Responsible for the final approval of all published methods, as well as policy issues related to the technical activities of the Association.
TCR Committee
The chairs of each research committee. This group reviews each standard that has been approved by an individual committee before it can proceed to publication.
Inactive Committees
Once committees have decided to either permanently or temporarily conclude their projects for a time, they are added to the list of inactive committees. These are recorded for reference and preparation for future research.
Research Committee Participation
Guidelines for research committee membership are listed in AATCC M13, Rules of Procedure for AATCC Test Method and Technology Committees.
Only one member per organization may be a voting member on each committee (others may join the same committee as non-voting members). Membership on RA99 is by appointment. Committee members must return all ballots to maintain voting status. A response of “abstain” for all items on a ballot is acceptable. This policy ensures that committee rosters include only current contact information for individuals interested in the subject.
Committee Updates
In 2000, the Technical Barriers to Trade Committee (TBT) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) identified six principles for development of international standards. AATCC standards and its standards development process adhere to these principles.
Part of Transparency and Openness is ensuring that all interested parties have access to active projects and opportunities to contribute. To this end, AATCC publishes a list of active projects at least twice per year, following Spring and Fall committee meetings. To participate in a project, contact [email protected] or the Project Leader.
- Transparency
- Openness
- Impartiality and Consensus
- Effectiveness and Relevance
- Coherence
- Development Dimension
Revisions
Be sure to use and reference only the most current versions of AATCC methods and procedures.
During the first three years, each new standard is reviewed annually, at which time, on recommendation of the research committee and approval by TCR, it may be reaffirmed, revised, or withdrawn. After the first three years, each standard is reviewed at least every five years. The historical record of these actions is published at the beginning or end of each method.
TM = Test Method
LP = Laboratory Procedure
EP = Evaluation Procedure
M = Monograph
Each AATCC standard is designated by a number followed by the year of last technical revision. The last subsequent reaffirmation may appear in parentheses. A small letter “e” indicates editorial changes, and a small letter “t” indicates additional technical changes in the same year.