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JIS L 1902 Antibacterial Textile Test
Determination of Antibacterial Activity of Antibacterial Finished Products (Textiles)
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Summary
JIS L 1902 test is used to verify the antibacterial claims of textile materials. It measures the reduction of bacteria on antibacterial treated textiles vs untreated textiles. This test provides reliable data for assessing product performance and supporting regulatory or quality claims. JIS L 1902 is commonly used for textile antibacterial claims validation and performance benchmarking alongside ISO 20743 and AATCC 100.
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Quick understanding of the test
JIS L 1902 - Determination of Antibacterial Activity of Antibacterial Finished Products (Textiles)
Application
- Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538P)
- Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC 4352)
- Treated and untreated fabric samples are sterilized and inoculated with a bacterial suspension.
- After incubation samples are transferred to a neutralizing solution.
After neutralization, serial dilution and plating are performed to determine the viable bacteria count.
- Ensures antibacterial finished textiles meet consistent safety and efficacy standards.
- Evaluates both bacteriostatic (inhibition) and bactericidal (killing) properties.
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What is JIS L 1902 Test?
The JIS L 1902 test is a globally recognized standard to evaluate the antibacterial performance of textiles. It measures a fabric’s ability to inhibit the growth of bacteria when the material comes into direct contact with microorganisms.
JIS L 1902 is widely used by manufacturers to verify antibacterial claims, support product development, and demonstrate compliance for the Japanese and global textile markets.
Qualitative vs Quantitative Methods in JIS L 1902
JIS L 1902 includes both qualitative and quantitative evaluation approaches:
Qualitative Method (Halo Method)
- Assesses antibacterial activity based on the presence or absence of a zone of inhibition around the textile sample on inoculated agar.
- Indicates whether antibacterial agents can diffuse and inhibit bacterial growth.
- Provides a pass/fail or screening-level assessment
Quantitative Method (Absorption Method)
- Measures the reduction in viable bacteria on the textile after direct contact and incubation.
- Produces numerical antibacterial activity values, enabling objective performance comparison and claim substantiation.
Textile Products Applicable for JIS L 1902
JIS L 1902 is applicable to a wide range of textile products, including:
- Apparel textiles
- Bedding and mattress fabrics
- Upholstery and furniture textiles
- Medical and hygiene textiles
- Industrial and technical textiles
- Antimicrobial-treated fibers, yarns, and finished fabrics
Test Organisms Used in JIS L 1902
Mandatory Strains
Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 538P)
Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC 4352)
Additional Strains
Enterococcus hirae (ATCC 10541)
Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 15442)
Escherichia coli (ATCC 8739)
MRSA (ATCC 33591)
Salmonella enterica (ATCC 10708)
Candida Albicans (MTCC 3017)
JIS L 1902 test procedure
- 6 test specimens of treated (antibacterial) and 6 control samples of untreated (without antibacterial agents) fabric are needed.
- All sample materials are subjected to sterilization to avoid any contamination.
- Test bacterial suspension of a known titre is directly inoculated on the sample material.
- For zero minute titre determination, (control and treated) samples are subjected to immediate wash with 20 ml of neutralizing media (SCDLP broth) after bacterial inoculation. Other remaining six specimens (3 control and 3 testing samples) are incubated at 37 °C ± 2 °C for 18 h to 24 h with the test bacterial suspension
- After an incubation period of 18-24 h, the reaction is stopped by adding 20 ml of neutralizing media Soya Casein Digest Lecithin Polysorbate Broth (SCDLP) into tubes. Then, the tubes are shaken to ensure proper mixing.
- Serial dilution and plating are done to determine titre of the remnant viable bacteria post the contact time
- The decrease in microorganism growth is compared to the control fabric.
Antibacterial Activity Calculation & Interpretation
In the quantitative method, antibacterial performance is indicated as an antibacterial activity value (A) on the basis of bacterial counts on control and treated samples:
- The calculation compares the logarithmic bacterial growth on untreated control fabric versus treated fabric after incubation.
- A higher A value indicates stronger antibacterial performance.
Result interpretation:
A < 2.0 – little or no antibacterial activity
2.0 ≤ A < 3.0 – Effective antibacterial activity
A ≥ 3.0 – Strong antibacterial activity
JIS L 1902 vs Other standards
Parameter | JIS L 1902 | ISO 20743 | AATCC 100 |
Purpose | Determine antibacterial activity of antibacterial-finished textile products; assess bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects | International method (harmonized from JIS L 1902) to determine antibacterial activity of textile materials | Quantitatively determine antibacterial effectiveness of treated textile and porous materials |
Test microorganisms | Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae | Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae | Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae |
Scope of Products | woven, knitted, nonwoven, fibers, yarns, finished fabrics | Textile materials and finished textile products | Treated Textile materials and other porous materials (filters, paper, nonwovens) |
Method Type | Qualitative and Quantitative | Quantitative | Quantitative |
Results Interpretation | Antibacterial activity value (log difference between control and treated) | Percent reduction in viable bacteria compared to untreated control | Percent reduction in viable bacteria compared to untreated control |
Regulatory importance | Japanese national standard, basis for ISO 20743 | Internationally harmonized version of JIS L 1902 | Widely used in the US |
Why Choose Our Lab for JIS L 1902 Testing
MIS performs JIS L 1902 antibacterial activity testing to evaluate the effectiveness of antimicrobial-treated textiles against bacterial growth under controlled laboratory conditions. This method is widely used for apparel, home textiles, medical, and industrial fabrics where bacterial control and hygiene performance are critical. Our experts strictly follow JIS standard protocols to generate accurate, reliable, and reproducible results that support antibacterial, odor-control, and hygiene performance claims prior to market release.
Request JIS L 1902 Testing
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Frequently Asked Questions
DR. Martinoz Scholtz
JIS L 1902 test method is used to check the antibacterial activity of all finished textile materials such as cloth, wadding, thread, bedclothes, home furnishings, and miscellaneous goods.
At Microbe Investigations, we test for the JIS L 1902 using the following viruses: Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 15442), Escherichia coli (ATCC 8739), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538P), Enterococcus hirae (ATCC 10541), Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC 4352), MRSA (ATCC 33591), Salmonella enterica (ATCC 10708), Candida Albicans (MTCC 3017). Additional strains can be added on request.
Yes, JIS L 1902 is widely used internationally, especially in Asia. For broader global acceptance and harmonization, ISO 20743 is often preferred.
JIS L 1902 is a Japanese national standard, while ISO 20743 is its internationally harmonized counterpart for evaluating the antibacterial efficacy of textile products. ISO 20743 uses only quantitative methods, whereas JIS L 1902 includes both qualitative and quantitative methods.
Yes, it is commonly used to support antibacterial label claims for textiles.
It is calculated as the log difference in viable bacteria between untreated control and treated fabrics after incubation.
Yes, it is commonly used to evaluate antibacterial performance of medical and hygiene textiles. It supports performance claims but does not replace medical device regulatory testing.
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