AATCC American Association of Textiles Chemists and Colorists AATCC founded in 1921.

AATCC focuses on the dyeing and finishing of textiles. AATCC is the worlds largest association devoted to textile chemistry and the wet processing industry. It holds an annual international conference and exhibition. AATCC develops internationally recognized standard test methods used by the industry, governments, researchers and others. AATCC maintains a cooperative relationship with other organisations and agencies and participates in activities with the International Organisation for Standardization (ISO) to bring about uniformity in testing procedures world wide. AATCC publishes AATCC review, a monthly journal that includes current testing procedures, an annual Membership Directory, conference and symposia papers, quality aids and specialized reference books for the wet processing industry. AATCC also offers workshops related to wet processing and product or process evaluation. AATCC and its sister society in England, The Society of Dyers and Colorists , collaborate in publishing the Colour Index, a standard reference book that includes information on dyes and pigments. ASTM American Society for Testing and Materials The American society for Testing and Materials is the worlds largest nongovernmental standards writing body. ASTM is an organisation that deals with materials used in many industries and its interests extend beyond textiles into such areas as medical devices, building materials and water and environmental technology. ASTM is a not-for-profit organisation that provides a forum for producers, users, ultimate consumers and those having a general interest to meet on common ground. ASTM established in 1898. ASTM standards are full-consensus standards. This means that a standard results when a full consensus of all concerned parties is met.

ASTM publishes standard test methods, specifications, guides, classification and terminology. ASTM consists of more than 132 technical committees. ASTM supports the work of National Institute of Standards and Technology. ASTM publishes an Annual Book of Standards of one or more volumes for each of its 15 major interest areas. ASTM also publishes a monthly magazine, Standardization News, several technical Journals and special technical publications. More than 9100 ASTM standards are published each year in the 71 volume of the Annual Book of ASTM standards. These standards and related information are sold throughout the world. Of particular interest to the quality practitioners in the textile and apparel industry would be volumes 07.01 and 07.02 on textiles. ANSI American National Standards Institute The ANSI has served in its capacity as administrator and coordinator of the United States private sector voluntary standardization system for 81 years. Founded in 1918 by five engineering societies and three government agencies, the institute remains a private, nonprofit membership organization supported by diverse constituency of private and public sector organisations. The institute represents the interest of its nearly 1400 company, organisation, government agency, institutional and international members. ANSI does not itself develop American National Standards; rather it facilitates development by establishing consensus among qualified groups. The institute ensures that its guiding principles, consensus, due process and openness are followed by more than 175 distinct entities currently accredited under one of the Federations three methods of accreditation (organisation, committee or canvass). ANSI was a founding member of ISO and plays an active role in its governance. ANSI is one of five permanent members to the governing ISO council and one of four permanent members of ISOs Technical Management board. It has an accredited certification program. Certification attests that a product has been tested and meets specified requirements. Many ASTM procedures have been approved by the ANSI and this is indicated in the designation of the test method.

BSI British Standards Institution British Standard Institution was founded in 1901 to coordinate the development of national standards. BSI was incorporated by Royal Charter in 1929. BSI is a non profit distribution organisation. BSI remains independent of Government, industry or trade associations.

BIS Bureau of Indian Standards The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the National Standards Body of India, resolves to be the leader in all matters concerning Standardization, Certification and Quality. In order to attain this, the Bureau would strive

To provide efficient timely service. To satisfy the customers' needs for quality of goods and services. To work and act in such a way that each task, performed as individuals or as corporate entity, leads to excellence and enhances the credibility and image of the Organization.

BIS would achieve these objectives by working in close cooperation with all concerned organizations and by adopting appropriate management systems, motivating and ensuring active participation of all the employees PURPOSE The Indian Standards Institution (ISI) was, therefore, set up in 1947 as a registered society, under a Government of India resolution. The Indian Standards Institution gave the nation the standards it needed for nationalization, orderly industrial and commercial growth, quality production and competitive efficiency. However, in 1986 the government recognized the need for strengthening this National Standards Body due to fast changing socio-economic scenario and according it a statutory status. Thus came the Bureau of Indian Standards Act 1986 and on 1 April 1987, newly formed BIS took over staff assets, liabilities and functions of erstwhile ISI.

Through this change over, the Government envisaged building of the climate of quality culture and consciousness and greater participation of consumers in formulation and implementation of National Standards. OBJECTIVES

Harmonious development of standardization, marking and quality certification To provide new thrust to standardization and quality control To evolve a national strategy for according recognition to standards and integrating them with growth and development of production and exports

BIS is engaged in formulation of Indian Standards for the following sectors: Basic & Production Engineering Chemicals Civil Engineering Electronics and Information Technology Electro technical Food and Agriculture Mechanical Engineering Management and Systems Medical Equipment and Hospital Planning Metallurgical Engineering Petroleum Coal and Related Products Transport Engineering Textile Water Resources LIST OF WIDE CIRCULATION DRAFTS Special attention is given to multidisciplinary areas such as energy conservation, environmental protection, rural development and safety. So far over 17,000 standards have been formulated in different technology areas. The standards formulated fall in the following categories: Product Specifications Methods of Test Codes of Practices, Guidelines, etc Terminologies, Glossaries, etc Basic Standards