Why are textile standards considered to be a priority for the Government of Canada?
- The two Health Canada standards being updated are vital to safeguarding Canadians against the flammability of indoor and outdoor textile floor coverings, as well as to safeguarding children from sleepwear that is non-compliant with Canadian regulations.
- Through the Standards Council of Canada’s (SCC’s) leadership, updated standards will help the federal government ensure the ongoing relevance of these standards used for achieving regulatory objectives.
Which standards are being updated?
- CAN/CGSB-4.2 No. 27.6-M91 Canadian Standard Textile Test Methods, Method of Test for Flame Resistance – Methenamine Tablet Test will be incorporated by reference in the Textile Floor Coverings Regulations, to be issued under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act.
- Method 58, the National Standard of Canada CAN2-4.2-M77, Colour Fastness and Dimensional Change in Domestic Laundering of Textiles, published by the Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) in December 1984, incorporated by reference in the Children’s Sleepwear Regulations.
How do the standards benefit Canadians?
- Canadian Standard Textile Test Methods, Method of Test for Flame Resistance – Methenamine Tablet Test, ensures that textile floor coverings comply with Health Canada flammability requirements. These requirements protect against potential injury to persons, or even death, resulting from fire, as well as against possible property damage.
- The National Standard of Canada CAN2-4.2-M77, Colour Fastness and Dimensional Change in Domestic Laundering of Textiles, published by CGSB in December 1984, specifies washing and drying procedures for samples, prior to flammability testing.
Which key government organizations are involved in the update?
- Health Canada is the federal department responsible for helping Canadians maintain and improve their health.
- Canadian General Standards Board is an SCC-accredited standards development organization responsible for updating the standards.
- The Standards Council of Canada provides funding to ensure that updated standards are available for government and industry use in Canada.