EN ISO 15797: Why Industrial Laundry Claims Matter to Your Tender
The short answer
EN ISO 15797 is the standard that tests whether workwear survives industrial laundering. It sets out the washing, drying and finishing procedures used by commercial laundries, so a garment tested to it has evidence that its size, colour, flame resistance and reflective tape survive repeated industrial cycles — typically 50 washes. For rental companies and laundry operators it is the difference between a garment that lasts the contract term and one that fails at wash 20.
If your customer is a uniform rental company or a laundry, EN ISO 15797 is not a nice extra. It is the specification that decides whether the programme is profitable.
Last updated: September 2026.
Key takeaways
- EN ISO 15797 tests industrial laundry, not domestic washing, and it is much harsher.
- Rental tenders usually require 50-cycle performance with data on shrinkage, colour and function.
- Reflective tape and FR performance must survive the cycles, not just the fabric.
- Care labelling must match the laundry procedure, or the garment will be processed incorrectly.
- The cost difference is modest compared with a programme failing mid-contract.
1. Standard vs use case vs purchasing notes
| Situation | Requirement | Typical garment | What to check when buying |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uniform rental contract | EN ISO 15797 data, usually 50 cycles | Coveralls, jackets, trousers | Shrinkage, colour, strength and function after cycles |
| Industrial laundry processing | Compatibility with the laundry's own wash profile | All garments in the pool | Care label matching the actual process |
| Hi-vis rental garments | Tape performance after laundering | Class 2 or 3 garments | Tape certificate plus after-wash retro-reflectivity data |
| FR rental garments | FR performance after laundering | EN ISO 11612 or NFPA 2112 garments | Treated fabric performance and wash instructions |
| One-off purchase, domestic care | Domestic wash performance only | Any garment | 25-wash domestic performance data |
2. What EN ISO 15797 actually tests
| Element | What is measured | Why it matters commercially |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensional change | Shrinkage or growth after cycles | Fit and sizing claims over the contract |
| Colour change | Fading and bleeding | Appearance and, for hi-vis, compliance |
| Fabric strength | Tensile and tear performance | Garments tearing in service |
| Component function | Zips, buttons, tape adhesion | Repair costs and returns |
| Retro-reflective performance | Reflectivity retained after washes | Compliance of hi-vis garments |
| FR performance | Flame resistance retained | Safety and legal exposure |
3. What to specify on a purchase order
| Item | Specification to write | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | "Tested to EN ISO 15797, 50 cycles" | Turns a claim into evidence |
| Test report | Report number, laboratory and date | Required for tenders |
| Care label | Process-compatible instructions | Prevents incorrect laundry processing |
| Tape | Certified tape with after-wash data | Hi-vis performance is the first casualty |
| Fabric treatment | Inherent or treated FR with wash data | Treatments can degrade without correct care |
| Spare capacity | Order quantity plus replacement percentage | Rental pools need replacements built in |
4. Frequently asked questions
What is EN ISO 15797?
It is the standard describing industrial laundry procedures used to test workwear, so a garment tested to it has evidence that its size, colour, strength, flame resistance and reflective performance survive commercial laundering.
Is industrial laundering different from domestic washing?
Yes, substantially. Industrial processes use higher temperatures, stronger chemicals and mechanical action, so a garment that survives 25 domestic washes may fail after a fraction of that in an industrial laundry.
How many cycles should a rental garment survive?
Fifty cycles is the common requirement in rental tenders, and some contracts specify more. The figure must be supported by test data rather than an estimate.
Does EN ISO 15797 cover reflective tape?
It provides the laundry procedure; the tape performance after washing is demonstrated through the relevant hi-vis standard's after-wash testing, so both documents are needed.
Who pays for the testing?
Usually the manufacturer, as part of product development, and the cost is recovered across the programme. For a tender, ask for the report rather than paying for your own test first.
What happens if a rental garment fails mid-contract?
The operator replaces it, which erodes the programme margin. Because replacement cost is predictable, specifying tested garments is cheaper than discovering failures in year two.
Ask for laundry-cycle data with your quotation
Tell us whether the garments go into an industrial laundry, and we will state the EN ISO 15797 testing position, the care label and the after-wash tape data in your quotation.
