AATCC

(American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists) Worldwide association of professionals active in textile wet processing.

Abrasion Level

The level of (desired) fraying or worn areas on a garment caused by stones, abrading the garment during wash and usually heaviest at the thickest seams (pockets, hem, fly).

Abrasion Resistance

The degree to which a fabric can withstand surface rubbing, chafing and other forms of friction through normal wear and maintenance.

Acceptable Quality Level

(AQL) The maximum percent defective (or maximum number of defects per hundred units) that, for purpose of sampling inspection, can be considered satisfactory as a process average. MIL-STD-105E, ISO 2859-1 (1999).

Acceptance Quality Limit

(AQL) The quality level that is the worst tolerable process average when a continuing series of lots is submitted for acceptance sampling. ANSI/ASQC Z1.4-2003.

Advance Ship Notice

See: ASN

Airway Bill

(AWB) A non-negotiable contract covering domestic and international flights, used for the transportation of freight including shipping instructions, description of shipment and transportation charges. The air industry’s equivalent to the motor carrier’s (trucker’s) Bill of Lading.

Approvals

Usually small hand woven, knitted or printed swatches or “strike-offs” sent to the customer for approval of weave, color, finish or print design, etc.

AQL

Has two different definitions due to standard changes, see: Acceptable Quality Level, see: Acceptance Quality Limit.

Art Work

Designs for textile printing, weaving or other forms of ornamentation, often purchased from outside artists or specialty studios that may be used for production purposes. Usually these designs are exclusive to the purchaser and are one of a kind. If a design is selected from a manufacturer’s range and is made exclusive to a customer it is referred to as “confined.”

ASN

(Advance Ship Notice) Electronic packing slip.

AWB

See: Airway Bill

AZO Dyestuffs

Dyestuffs that contain amino groups, which are known carcinogens or are likely carcinogens.