The Importance of Standardization for E-Textiles
Standardization is a common concern when discussing growth in the e-textiles industry, but what does it mean to standardize e-textiles? It means to oversee the production of this technology by following a set of guided principles, and these principles must be enforced by the government and/or private organizations. In our most recent interview with Christian Dalsgaard, CEO of the Smart Textile Alliance, Dalsgaard says that it is one of the key objectives of the organization to collaborate on creating industry standards with companies who develop e-textile technologies. He knows this will take some time, but he and his colleagues are optimistic. Why do we need standards for e-textiles, thought, and how can they be put into action? Let’s get into it.
Areas of Need
There are a few aspects of the design and manufacturing of e-textiles that require standardization. These include washability, durability, electrical resistance, safety, and classification. The design and manufacturing process is a tad scattered currently, to put it simply. According to Dalsgaard, it is the complex nature of design and manufacturing that the lack of standardization is making worse. Most of the components in e-textiles such as connectors and power data wires vary so much that producing them without a set of safety and design standards to follow can be a tedious and costly process.
Standards Currently in Place
The truth of the matter is, there are very few organizations implementing standards for e-textiles. Additionally, not all the testing methods are active and most are in the proposal phase. Here are the organizations and agencies who have put forth standards:
IPC E-TEXTILES COMMITTEE
The IPC E-Textiles Committee is formed by the IPC, a global trade organization dedicated to ensuring that electronics are built better. Back in 2017, companies in the e-textiles industry formed the IPC D-70. This is a committee to develop international standards to produce smart textile systems. As of December of 2020, the committee has launched two new standards projects: Revision A of IPC-8921, Requirements for Woven and Electronic Textiles and a brand-new standard, IPC/JPCA-8911, Requirements for Conductive Yarns for E-Textile Applications.
Learn more about IPC standardization activities
2. AATCC
As of now, the AATCC, American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists, is one of the only organizations that has clear-cut testing methods. These standards are for washing, electrical resistance, and exposure to various elements. The AATCC EP13, Evaluation Procedure for Electrical Resistance of Electronically Integrated Textiles is one such standard that provides a process to measure resistance. For testing exposure, there is TM210, Test Method for Electrical Resistance before and after exposure to conditions. This is a guide for preparing e-textiles for exposure to moisture, UV light, sea water, as well as dry cleaning.
3. ASTM
There is also the ASTM Subcommittee D13.50, which falls under the Committee on Textiles (D13). This committee is formed by ASTM International, a standards organization that develops and publishes technical standards for materials, products, systems, and services. The committee primarily focuses on the terminology and characterization of e-textiles, and has proposed standards that address the durability of smart garments.
4. FTC
As most everyone knows, the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) is a government agency that protects consumers from deceptive and unfair business practices. When it comes to electronics, the FTC works with consumer groups, businesses, academics, and other government agencies to, “develop a global electronic marketplace offering safety to consumers and predictability for business.” When it comes to e-textiles, the FTC oversees textile tagging regulations that are enforced under the Textile Products Identification Act.
Benefits of Standardization
There are several reasons why it is to the benefit of the industry to have standards. Not only because it makes the commercialization of e-textiles more streamlined, but because it is vital to the sustainable development of smart textiles. Standards testing is also crucial to ensuring product safety and quality control (two aspects that are necessary for widespread commercialization). According to one paper, Smart Textiles Testing: A Roadmap to Standardized Test Methods for Safety and Quality Control, lack of standardized processes for assembly of components can reduce the overall performance and quality of e-textile products. This is also why standardization needs to be a top priority.
How Do We Proceed?
We are at the very beginning stages of the standardization process. Most of the legwork is being done in Europe, with the formation of the Working Group for Smart Textiles in Sofia, Bulgaria, and the drafting of a technical report for standardization by the European Committee for Standardization. As Christian Dalsgaard mentioned in his interview with Electronic Design, collaboration between designers, component manufacturers, as well as professionals in textiles and electrical engineering will be key to developing and enforcing standards for e-textiles. The very first step is making it known that standardization is the only way this industry will truly grow and serve large companies in billion-dollar markets like automotive, healthcare, and consumer goods.