The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) has opened registration for its 2027 Proficiency Testing Program (PTP), which allows textile laboratories worldwide to benchmark their performance, support accreditation requirements and demonstrate confidence in their testing results.
According to AATCC, the program is designed for laboratories of all sizes and provides an independent means of assessing testing performance while promoting consistency and comparability across the global textile industry.
About the program
The PTP enables laboratories to compare their performance with peer laboratories using standardized materials and established test methods. Each participating laboratory receives standardized test specimens with detailed instructions and has approximately one month to complete testing and submit results. Laboratories then receive a confidential performance report comparing their results with those of peer laboratories, along with a Certificate of Participation documenting their involvement.
AATCC said participation can support quality assurance initiatives, laboratory accreditation efforts, staff training and continuous improvement programs.
2027 schedule
AATCC offers each PTP once per calendar year. Registration and payment must be completed by the 15th of the month preceding sample distribution. Registrations received after the deadline cannot be accommodated, so AATCC encourages early enrollment.
PTP2: Fiber Analysis has a registration deadline of January 15, 2027, with samples shipping in February 2027. It covers test methods TM20 and TM20A. PTP3: Appearance & Physical Properties has a deadline of February 15, 2027, with shipment in March 2027, and covers TM88B, TM88C, TM124, TM128, TM135 and TM179. PTP4: Antibacterial Properties has a deadline of March 15, 2027, with shipment in April 2027, and covers TM100 and TM147.
PTP6: Colorfastness has a deadline of May 15, 2027, with shipment in June 2027, and covers TM8, TM15, TM61, TM107, TM133 and TM162. PTP7: Moisture Management has a deadline of June 15, 2027, with shipment in July 2027, and covers TM79, TM195, TM197, TM198, TM199, TM200, TM201, TM204 and TM213. PTP5: Resistance & Repellency has a deadline of July 15, 2027, with shipment in August 2027, and covers TM22, TM35, TM42, TM118 and TM127. PTP1: Color Evaluation has a deadline of August 15, 2027, with shipment in September 2027, and covers EP1, EP2, EP7 and EP12.
Why participate
According to AATCC, participation helps laboratories demonstrate technical competence and testing consistency, monitor performance over time, identify opportunities for corrective action and improvement, support ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation and customer requirements, and increase confidence in reported test results. The association said proficiency testing offers insight into testing accuracy and reliability for laboratories serving brands, retailers, manufacturers, academic institutions or government organizations.
Program features
Building on recent enhancements, AATCC said it continues to focus on the participant experience through online registration and payment processing, electronic data submission, reporting tools that simplify performance evaluation, and improved communications and participant support throughout the testing cycle. The AATCC Technical Department said it remains committed to a proficiency testing experience that is technically rigorous and straightforward to administer.
AATCC, headquartered in the Research Triangle Park of North Carolina, provides standards development, testing materials, educational resources and professional networking to the global textile industry. It has done so for more than a century.
Registration is now open, and laboratories are encouraged to enroll early to secure a place in their selected programs before the deadlines. More information is available at https://www.aatcc.org/ptp.
