ISO updates clothing size standards to cut down on deluge of returns

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Mar 15, 2017

The International Organization for Standardization has updated its series of standards to provide a universal set of size markings for clothing manufacturers around the world and help improve fit.

The ISO 8559 series of standards is based on different populations and designed to be used in the development of size and shape profiles for the creation of clothing and mannequins. 

The new standards are expected to help retailers reduce returns and increase customer satisfaction, as a new size designation system will be introduced to indicate consumers the body dimensions the garment has been intended to fit.

Ads

“They will also help to reduce barriers to international trade by providing a universal set of size markings and terms of reference. This will help to simplify information on garment labels for shoppers as, currently, body dimensions are listed on garment sizing labels that do not relate to the body measurements,” explained Reena Pandarum, chair of the technical committee behind the new ISO 8559 series.

The International Organization for Standardization is an independent international organisation with a membership of 164 national standard bodies. It provides standards for almost every industry, from technology, to food safety, to agriculture and healthcare.