The antimicrobial textile market is facing a quiet rule reshuffle. In June 2025, the revision task for the national standard 'Textiles - Evaluation of Antibacterial Performance - Part 2: Absorption Method' was officially issued (Plan No. 20251603-T-608), and a review meeting held in Zhejiang marked a substantive step in updating a standard that has been in effect for nearly 20 years. For companies relying on antibacterial claims in underwear, socks, home textiles, and even medical textiles, this is a technical threshold that cannot be ignored.
Background
The GB/T 20944 series has served as a cornerstone for evaluating antibacterial textiles since 2007. The series comprises three parts: the agar diffusion method, the absorption method, and the shaking flask method. The revision of Part 3 (shaking flask method) began in June 2024 (Plan No. 20241952-T-608) and has been completed, pending approval, and will fully replace the 2008 version. Part 2 (absorption method) followed in June 2025, and the review meeting indicates that the technical content is largely finalized.
This revision is not a simple textual adjustment. Over the past two decades, antimicrobial technologies have expanded from silver ions and chitosan to photocatalytic, quaternary ammonium, and metal oxide mechanisms. Applications have extended from traditional underwear and socks to sportswear and medical textiles. The test strains, culture conditions, and absorption parameters in the old standard can no longer accurately reflect the performance of new antimicrobial materials. Some new agents may yield false negatives or positives under old methods, leading to unreliable data.
Industry Impact
The direct impact of the revision is on the credibility of test results. The revised absorption method will adopt conditions closer to actual use scenarios, improving repeatability and comparability. This means that past marketing claims of '99% antibacterial rate' may no longer hold under the new standard—if testing becomes more rigorous, companies must demonstrate true performance.
For manufacturers, the standard upgrade will force process optimization. Parameters such as antimicrobial finishing agent dosage, fixation method, and wash durability will need to be recalibrated. For exporters, if the new standard aligns more closely with international standards like ISO 20743, overseas acceptance of test reports may improve, but short-term costs may rise as products need revalidation.
More profoundly, the revision will reshape market order. Since antibacterial function is invisible, consumers rely on labels and test reports. Under the old standard, some companies exploited vague definitions of 'antibacterial rate' or selective testing to create false claims. The new standard clarifies test methods and evaluation indicators, reducing space for hype and accelerating industry differentiation: technically prepared companies gain market share, while low-end capacities relying on marketing gimmicks face elimination.
Practical Recommendations
Revised standards are expected to be issued and implemented around 2026. For all parties in the supply chain, now is the window to adjust strategies.