Nike product integrity apparel equipment 2011

Nike Product Integrity- Apparel & Equipment

Material Quality Manual

Nike Product Integrity – Apparel & Equipment

Materials Quality Manual

© NIKE, Inc. 2011

© Nike, Inc
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Material Quality Manual

This manual is provided to NIKE vendors and factories to understand NIKE process
and requirements to deliver the highest possible quality, as well as report all test
results as per NIKE requirements.
Although this manual describes NIKE quality requirements, NIKE also expects its
partner suppliers to develop a positive culture of quality. This culture must begin
with management commitment to prevention-based and continuous improvementbased quality systems including:


Allocating appropriate resources to ensure quality systems are effective



Encouraging active participation of all workers in improvement efforts



Ensuring that processes are stable, capable, and centered through the
application of statistical data analysis techniques



Documenting systems, processes, procedures, etc. as necessary to
maintain effective operations

© Nike, Inc
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Table of Contents
Page #
Chapter 1: Overview of NIKE Quality Philosophy
Introduction, Quality Mission, Philosophy & Prevention System

5

Chapter 2: NIKE Material Quality Process
A. Quality Policy

8

B. Introduction

9

C. Vendor Qualification

10

D. Material Qualification

11

E. Vendor Quality Process

13

F. Metrics and Strategic Reporting

20

Chapter 3: Test Requirements, Specifications and Methods
A. Overview

21

B. Material Development Testing Process

21

C. NIKE Test Methods

28

D. NIKE Vendor Laboratory Accreditation

28

E. Regulatory Information

28

Chapter 4: Color Management
A. Introduction to the NIKE Color Manual

30

B. Introduction to the NIKE Production Color Process

30

C. Vendor Color Accreditation

31

D. Seasonal Color Palette Information

31

Chapter 5: Introduction to Vendor Quality Requirements

A. Introduction

32

B. Fabric Inspection

33

C. Inspection Procedure/Execution

35

D Inspection Results

41

E. Fabric Defect Classifications

43

F. Summary of NIKE Production Fabric Testing & Inspection

48

Appendix:
I. Acknowledgement & Continuing Product Guarantee
II NIKE PPS Generic Specification
III Intertek/NIKE Test Lab Site by End-Use.
IV NIKE/Intertek Test Request Forms
V. Intertek Global Contact List

VI. Woven & Knit Test Standards

© Nike, Inc
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VII. NIKE Product Safety Policy: Flammability

Material Quality Manual

66

© Nike, Inc
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Chapter 1: Overview of NIKE Quality Philosophy
Introduction
This chapter begins by presenting the NIKE quality philosophy, and continues by
outlining the NIKE quality system from design and development to production and
delivery.
Quality Mission Statement
“Create a culture of quality.”
NIKE Quality philosophy is based on the following principles:



Establish clear, consumer-focused requirements



Plan for Defect-Free performance



Quality happens within every Process (each supplier, department, &
individual owns quality)



Ensure the Process is capable of meeting the requirements



Control the Process



Continually reduce Variation



Prioritize by isolating the „Vital Few‟ from the „Trivial Many‟

These principles serve as a compass for NIKE. They represent the fundamental

values we pursue for ourselves, and serve as a basis for selection of and
partnership with our supplier base.
- NIKE defines quality as Conformance to Requirements, where our
Consumers and Customers determine the requirements.
- Our quality standard is Zero Defects and our goal is Zero Variation from the
requirements.
- Quality effort must be applied continuously to achieve this standard in all
products and services.
- Our strategy to achieve Zero Defects with Zero Variation is Prevention.
Prevention means preparation and planning for an activity so it can be
performed without errors or defects, every time, all the time.
This requires a prevention system. On the next page, we will discuss the NIKE
prevention system model

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Model of NIKE Prevention System
NIKE Prevention System is designed to deliver the safe, reliable, and quality
product our consumers expect of the NIKE brand. This system begins with product
conception and continues through consumer satisfaction. The following figure is a
graphic summary of the NIKE Prevention System. Each box represents a major
phase of apparel design, development, manufacturing, and source selection.
Within each box are the processes that NIKE finds most critical to successfully
meet our consumers‟ quality requirements

Prevention System box header definitions:

Design Qualification
Systems and procedures where NIKE Quality Engineering team works with
category design/development groups to help identify and prevent failure modes in
product design.
Supplier Qualification
Process of evaluating and approving suppliers to ensure they are capable of
achieving NIKE requirements, and include a review of suppliers‟ quality
manufacturing and management systems against NIKE requirements and
world-class benchmarks.
Materials Qualification
Process of testing, evaluating, and approving raw materials to ensure that the
manufacturing process is capable of producing materials that always meet
specifications.
Product Qualification
Process of evaluating, and approving finished goods to ensure that the
manufacturing process is capable of producing product that always meet
specifications.
Vendor & Factory Quality Process
Process of managing vendor and factory performance and driving continuous
improvement through evaluation (products & systems), measurement, and
reporting.

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Metrics & Strategic Reporting
Process of collecting vendor product quality performance data to track
performance, rank suppliers, and set priorities for corrective action.
After reviewing prevention model, next chapter will outline NIKE quality policy and
material quality process.

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Chapter 2: NIKE Material Quality Process
A. Quality Policy

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B. Introduction

This Materials Quality Process Manual applies to each vendor that
manufactures material for use in NIKE garments (this type of supplier is referred to
as a “vendor”). For purposes of this manual, a “vertical” supplier (a supplier who
produces their own material and assembles finished product) is both a “vendor”

and a “factory” (finished product supplier), and is responsible for all activities
required of each, except where noted. This Manual is organized according to
NIKE Prevention System as it applies to vendors. (See diagram below).
The processes depicted in bold are described in further detail below. These
include:
Material Quality Process
 New Vendor Evaluation
 Continuing Product
Guaranty
 Production Representative
Sample
 Confirmed Specifications
 Production Materials Testing
and Inspection
 Process Improvement
 Strategic Auditing
 Vendor Ranking

The processes described in the pages
that follow are fundamental to
ensuring the quality of NIKE apparel
product. Some NIKE offices/regions
may have process requirements
additional to these listed, which are
covered in detail by the regional
Material & PI team on the first meeting
with a new vendor after source selection.

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C. Continuing Product Guarantee
Purpose:
The Continuing Product Guarantee is the vendor‟s commitment which assures that
NIKE approves the product for production/shipping, no change in design,
processing, manufacturing location, or fabric used in production of the product will
occur without the vendor obtaining prior written approval from NIKE. This
guarantee is necessary to validate the materials and garment manufacturing
approvals that are given as a course of normal business with a vendor, and greatly
reduces the possibility of significant product variation and defective product for
both NIKE and the vendor.
Process:
All vendors are required to sign and honor the requirements of the Continuing
Product Guarantee.

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D. Material Qualification
Material Qualification is a key step in the Nike
Prevention System where, prior to the start of
production, the

Key Concept:
manufacturing
Process Capability
process
is
Process Capability refers to how well a manufacturing
proven capable of making materials that
process satisfies design/engineering specifications. A
system is said to be “capable” if it is producing
will always meet consumer requirements.
approximately 100% within specification limits.
Process capability is most commonly measured in
terms of capability indices, notably Cpk. Cpk answers
the questions: “How good is the alignment of the
manufacturing process to the critical specifications?”
and “How much defective output can be expected?”
Capability indices should be measured and used for all
key processes to understand the current process
limitations and plan/prioritize improvement efforts
where they are most needed.

The goal of fabric qualification is to ensure
that materials are proven capable of
meeting specifications.
General guidelines for minimum Cpk
values are outlined below:

 General Specification: >1.00
 Critical Performance Specification: >1.33
D.1 Production Representative Sample

Purpose:
The purpose of requiring production representative samples is to ensure that any
sample presented to determine the
Key Concept:
qualification or approval status of
Production Representative
materials is representative of future bulk
A key requirement for all Qualification activities, whether
production.
Process, Material, or Product, is that the element being
qualified is tested from a production representative
sampling. In order to be production representative, the
element must represent a sample from manufacturing
conditions that are truly representative of those which
will be used in planned production:
Materials,
Environment, Machinery, Process/Procedures, and
Manpower. No substitutions that would differ from
actual production conditions are acceptable when
qualifying an element.

Process:
For any testing or evaluation of a fabric for
the purpose of establishing materials
approval/qualification submitted samples
must be production representative.

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D.2 Confirmed Specifications
Purpose:
The purpose of Confirmed Specifications is to ensure that, as the final step of
materials qualification, both the vendor and NIKE agree that the specifications and
requirements relating to each material accurately reflects the performance
expected in production.
Process:
Upon materials qualification, NIKE and the vendor must confirm commitment to the
materials specifications. The confirmed specifications become the standard
against which all products are evaluated (including Production Fabric Testing- for
more detail, see Chapter 3).

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E. Vendor Quality Process
NIKE requires its vendors to participate in
processes created by NIKE and designed to
ensure specific manufacturing best practices.
Additionally, NIKE requires that its vendors
develop their own internal processes which will
ensure control and continuous improvement of

all systems involved in the development,
production, and handling of materials & product.
E.1 Production Materials Testing and Inspection
Purpose:
Production materials testing and inspection provides feedback for use in pursuing
continuous improvement of the materials that make up NIKE product.
Process:
The following text outlines some of NIKE requirements for testing and inspection of
vendor materials.
E.1.1 Production Materials Testing

Purpose:
Testing of production materials provides information on vendor performance,
and measures their conformance to NIKE materials requirements. Some
testing is also required to control the release of certain materials based on
critical specifications.

Process:
Prior to release of any materials, NIKE requires all vendors perform internal
or outside lab materials testing according to NIKE prescribed test methods
and requirements to ensure each lot of materials meets defined product
standards.

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For Fabric Vendors Specifically: Third party testing of materials is required,
as outlined below:
E.1.1.1 PRODUCTION TESTING
Purpose:
NIKE requires 3rd party lab testing of vendor production fabric in order to
independently audit conformance to general requirements over the long
term, strategically assess conformance to specific requirements and
material lot-to-lot consistency to drive material integrity through continuous
improvement.
Process:
All NIKE vendors must submit samples of their production fabric for 3rd party
lab testing and evaluation according to the following:
1) Sample taken from first production lot of the item/color meeting the
following criteria 2 & 3
2) Selected new items in all colors specified by Nike for full test
3) Selected carry-over items/colors specified by Nike for full test
4) Sample taken from subsequent production lot (2nd or later buy) of
selected item/color specified by Nike for full test
- NIKE may request a certain items/colors sent from material receiving
factory to 3rd party lab for testing and evaluation with short notice for specific
validation needs. Results of such “Information Testing” will be excluded
from Nike monthly VQR reporting system. However, repetitive failures may
result in affecting a vendor‟s Test Rank status in new season..
- These samples will undergo color evaluation and physical testing, per
NIKE test methods, at the vendor‟s expense.- Vendors may ship based on
passed internal testing and color evaluation
- passing Nike‟s requirement, without waiting for 3rd party testing results.

For vendor ranking and Test ranking, see appendix IX
How to get TR1 performance

- Vendor need to submit >/= 90% of the list, test results pass >/=90%
- Qualities of production are consistency

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Criteria of selecting TR1 list
- PI & Material team will work on TR1 list and up loaded in weblink as below
http://sharepoint/appi/Operations1/Forms/AllItems.aspx?RootFolder=%2fappi%2fOperatio
ns1%2fMQE%20Vendor%20Item%20Test%20List&FolderCTID=&View=%7b23A4BB6F%2d23
B9%2d4E34%2d9700%2d8F46D6C4631D%7d

-

-

Season SPSU: start to work on new list since May - Dec
Season FAHO: start to work on new list since Nov - Jun
30 items base on volume- 10 items based on core items
5 items base on F status items from previous season
(if there is no F-status item, will be selected base on volume=> 3 based on
failed status + 2 at MQE‟s desertion)
5 items base on technical difficulties (Color-Black/Red, driFIT, Spandex
content etc.)

Remark:

- Avoid selecting flat knit, trim
- Avoid volume < 500 yds/season
- Vendor send production fabric as listed to test at ITS

Every new season, vendors having failures on pH for white materials in
previous season will be requested to submit (to NIKE designated 3 rd party
labs) a sample of the first production lot of selected white materials. Nike will
communicate this requirement to vendors considered applicable in new
season.
- These samples will be tested for pH (5.5 +/- 1.0) at the vendor‟s expense.
- This testing represents seasonal qualification of the output of the
production process used to create the white material.
- Once acceptable test results have been achieved, vendor must
manufacture all production lots of the white material with the same
processing steps and settings as used to produce the sample that passed
testing.
- NIKE expects all vendors to verify, before release, every subsequent lot of

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white material via process control and internal testing.
ADDITIONAL TESTING - NIKE may require additional testing on specific
properties in order to meet global or regional requirements or other specific
needs.

E.1.2 Production Materials Inspection
Purpose:
NIKE expects all of its vendors to have processes that ensure they
manufacture and ship only first quality materials suitable for end-use. Internal
material inspection, either at greige or finished goods stage, allows the
vendor to use inspection data to drive process improvement efforts, screen
for non-conformances in materials, measure conformance to NIKE materials
requirements, and communicate to factory customers the quality level of their
shipment.
Process:
Vendors must internally maintain a 12”x12” reference sample of all NIKE
materials/colors produced, for two year period, along with physical testing
results and spectrophotometer color evaluation results as necessary.
Vendors must provide the minimum following to every factory purchasing
their materials


A material sample, from the first production lot, (meeting NIKE
requirements for color, esthetic, hand-feel, etc.) to reference
during later factory material inspections



Copies of internal performance testing and internal inspection
report for every lot, included with the shipment of the lot



Spectrophotometer readings in accordance with NIKE production
color requirements. Multiple readings will be required when a

shipment consists of more than one shade lot. Readings of shade
lots must be within NIKE acceptance level.



Shade band swatches of Spectro non-readable items/colors.
Representative swatches provided must be taken from material
shipment and information of item/color and relative roll numbers

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must be clearly indicated. It is the responsibility of vendors to
ensure the swatches are visually meeting NIKE standard or
approved lab dip, strike-off, etc.
For Fabric Vendors Specifically: Factories will inspect all incoming fabric lots
according to the process outlined in Chapter 5, section B. Factories‟ Certified
Materials Inspectors will report materials inspection results to NIKE.

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E.2 Process Improvement
Purpose:
The Process Improvement system is for NIKE and its vendors to continuously
identify, analyze, and plan to achieve improved performance via the use of
prevention-based quality activities.
Process:
NIKE expects its vendors to maintain a robust system of Process Improvement.
This system should monitor quality metrics over the long-term and drive
continuous improvement of vendor processes. It should detect and react to
negative trends in internal quality metrics and drive prevention of defects. Central
to process improvement is the identification and correction of the root cause
(rather than the symptom) of sources of excessive variation.
Three major aspects of NIKE vendor Process Improvement system include:




Vendor performance review and goal setting (the Semi-Annual Review)
Preventive planning for improvement (Preventive Action)
Reacting to eliminate known problems (Corrective Action)

These topics are discussed below.
E.2.1 Semi-Annual Review
Purpose:
The Semi-Annual Review provides a regularly scheduled forum to formally
manage vendor performance and plan for continuous improvement.
Process:
Two times per year NIKE and each vendor will conduct a formal meeting to
review the vendor‟s performance. This meeting will typically involve
representatives from vendor senior management, the vendor‟s quality group,

NIKE PI, and NIKE Material team.
The core agenda of the Semi-Annual Review meeting includes:






Critical review of vendor‟s performance compared to past goals
and NIKE requirements
Presentations by vendor of internal quality metrics, trends, and
process improvement activities
Follow-up on open corrective action plans or other current quality
issues at the vendor
Introduction of new NIKE quality initiatives
Establishment of vendor‟s future performance goals

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E.2.2 Preventive Action
Purpose:
The purpose of Preventive Action is to proactively improve vendors‟ critical
processes in order to achieve performance goals. Preventive Action should
identify areas of improvement that will provide maximum value and should
formally plan how to systematically improve these areas.

Process:
Effective preventive action must include the following elements:





Vendor top level commitment to continuous improvement
Set/review/update organizational goals as a fundamental business
process
Measure key processes (averages, variation, trends, etc.)
Analyze process data and prioritize improvement activities

E.2.3 Corrective Action
Purpose:
Corrective Action is to systematically and
permanently eliminate an identified problem
from a process.
Process:

Key Concept:
Action Plan
All action plans should have certain properties in
common. They should include:
- Documentation of all aspects and results of plan
- Clear statement and quantification of problem
- Identification of root cause of problem
- Statement of timelines and responsibilities
- Realistic and maintainable proposed actions
- Elimination/Prevention of recurrence of problem

- Appropriate to magnitude of problem and risk of
recurrent failure
- Supported by management
- Measurement of effectiveness of corrective
action

NIKE expects each vendor to have an
effective Corrective Action system.
The
output of a Corrective Action is a successfully
executed action plan. A vendor‟s internal
Corrective Action system should resolve
quality issues before they become visible to NIKE.

Corrective Action may be either internally or externally initiated:


Internally initiated – Corrective Action initiated by vendors internal
detection process under the following conditions:
o
o
o



A significant increase in internally measured defective rate
Any critical process or product failure detected by the vendor
Vendors not in NIKE inspection rank A or B, or test rank 1 or 2

Externally initiated – Corrective Action initiated due to NIKE or NIKE

customer-detected failure under the following conditions:
o
o

Any critical process or product failure detected by NIKE
Vendor in NIKE inspection rank Alert, or test rank Alert

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F. Metrics and Strategic Reporting
The following describes how NIKE
strategically collects data to measure
and report vendor quality performance.
This information is used by PI to provide vendor feedback for quality recognition
and process improvement, as well as by NIKE sourcing in determining future
sourcing plans.
Strategic Auditing
Purpose:
To effectively measure fabric vendor material quality performance, NIKE uses data
collected by a combination of 2nd (factories) and 3rd party (ITS) sources.
Process:
Fabric vendor material quality performance is divided into three primary areas.

 Materials inspection performance: NIKE requires factories to inspect and
report to NIKE on all incoming fabric lots (see Chapter 5 A). Vendors are

measured on defect points per 100 yards or 90 meters.
 Materials production testing performance: NIKE requires all fabric samples
under PRODUCTION TESTING submission criteria to pass required tests
and will monitor seasonal production testing rejection rate on all samples
submitted to 3rd party for testing.
 Test Submit Compliance Rate: NIKE requires vendors to submit a sample
from:
ALL first production batches of selected items/colors and selected
subsequent production batches of all fabric type of materials, except
flat-knit rib:
 Selected new items in all colors
 Selected colors for carry over items
NOTE: an item/color without the “Carry Over” flag in lab-dip is treated as a
“New Color”



any additional items as identified by the NIKE Liaison Office (ex. Dye
Migration, PLF, Anti-Chlorine, etc.)
Vendor compliance is measured by comparing items submitted to the 3 rd
party lab against the required item test list
NIKE uses the information gathered from factories and 3rd party testing
laboratories to evaluate and report on vendor quality performance. Fabric test
requirements, specifications and methods for both development & production are
described
in
next
chapter.

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Chapter 3: Test Requirements, Specifications & Methods
A. Overview
NIKE Apparel‟s Material Integrity Department provides a vital function within NIKE
product development and production process. The NIKE Apparel development
laboratories within Materials Integrity work to maintain continuity and quality of the
products we sell by:
• Establishing material specifications, test methods and standards for
NIKE Apparel
• Conducting research and development testing of materials for NIKE
Apparel products
• Oversee the Item Approval Process for material items used in NIKE
Apparel
• Oversee correlation of NIKE approved third-party test laboratories

B. Material Development Testing Process
NIKE material development testing process evaluates the physical properties of all
fabrics targeted for specific end-uses during product and material development.
This ensures materials can meet or exceed NIKE performance standards.

B.1 NIKE Item Number
NIKE assigns an Item Number (IM#), and Status Code to each fabric for tracking
purposes. This IM# refers to the Proposed Material Number, Version, and Source
for the material. NIKE will use this item number in all references to that specific
material/source combination.

In addition, each individual submit has an auto-generated submit number which
will appear at the top of the Submit Evaluation Worksheet (test report). This
number is used when referencing any individual material test.

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B.2 Material Item Descriptions
Along with the NIKE Item Number, each material has a specific “Item Description.”
This appears on other NIKE documents associated with a material item [NIKE Test
Submit Evaluations, Bill of Material (BOM), Raw Material Data Sheets (RMDS),
etc.]. During development this information can be amended but changes can
effect testing requirements. It is extremely important that all information related to
a material be complete and accurate upon receipt into the testing lab and at item
approval to ensure proper test end-use assignment, test performance evaluation,
color evaluation, and the correct materials are ordered. See Appendix I: Material
Development Worksheet to provide required material information.
The following is an example of a material description:
12345-AB _PM#56789 SINGLE KNIT_FRENCH TERRY_ 76.0% COTTON (5.0% ORGANIC) / 24.0%
POLYESTER__ FACE: SPUN 100.0% COTTON (10.0% ORGANIC) 30/1 COTTON COUNT, RING SPUN,
COMBED + TIE: FILAMENT 100.0% POLYESTER 0/75/36 DENIER, SEMI DULL, TEXTURED + BACK:
SPUN 75.0% COTTON/25.0% POLYESTER 12/1 COTTON COUNT, OPEN END, CARDED _BRUSHED
BACK_REACTIVE DYED PIECE DYED_20GG_W:144 CM_MINIMUM CUTTABLE _WT:280G/M2
----------1
The term “supplier” is defined as any fabric manufacturer or any vertical cut and sew garment
manufacturer.

These descriptions can be amended when the info is gathered from the vendor
during the development stage. Once the item is approved the vendor should
deliver exactly what is stated in the item description.
B.3 Status Codes
B 3.1 Material Item Status Codes
Materials have a status code assigned which designates its status in the
development process. This is described as the “state” of a material. There
are three material states: Development, Buy Ready and Not Usable. Each
state has a set of statuses (reasons or conditions) that apply as outlined in
the table below.
Material State

Material Status

Development
The material is in development
and is considered unapproved

Development (N)
The material is being reviewed for aesthetics and /or
tested for use in NIKE product. Materials in Development
state can be used on BOMs, but will be considered
unapproved.
Approved (A)
The supplied material has met all of the necessary
standards and reviews and can be used in NIKE product.

Buy-Ready
The material has been tested

and reviewed for production. It

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can be used on a BOM
according to the status and
expiration season that has been
assigned

Failed (F)
The supplied material did not meet all of the generic
standards in testing but can be used conditionally in NIKE
product.
Phase Out (P)
The material may be added to BOM until the date and
season defined by its expiration date. When the
expiration date is reached, material will be dropped, and
cannot be used. Materials may be phased-out due to
quality issues, material consolidation, or the vendor may
no longer manufacture the material.

Not Usable
The material cannot be used on
a BOM according to the status
and expiration date/season that

has been assigned

Dropped (D)
The material was Buy-Ready at one time, but is no longer
usable. Materials may be dropped because the vendor
has been dropped, the vendor no longer makes the
material, quality issues, or consolidation.
Expired (E)
The material was Buy-Ready at one time, but is not
usable beyond a particular date/season. It may be
re-approved once it is retested and reviewed to confirm
the vendor can still produce it to the original developed
quality; and conform to current performance and legal
requirements.
Materials are set to Expired status three years after the
date of the development test or MSA review.
NOTE: If a material is still in development (N) after three
years of its creation, or has not been used in recent
seasons, it will be set to Expired.

B.3.2 Test Submit Status Codes
Each material submit that is tested has a set of status codes, which is at the
top of the Submit Worksheet. These statuses are assigned based on the
test results entered on the Submit Worksheet as follows:






Pending – A test submit has been created, but it has not been
received at the test location.
Received – The test submit has been received and logged in by the
testing laboratory. Test results have not yet been entered.
Approved – All the required testing has been completed and passed
all NIKE test standards for the specified end-use.
Rejected – All the required testing was completed and failed one or
more of NIKE test standards for the specified end-use.
Incomplete – Some testing has been completed, but some tests are
still in work and have not been entered.

B.4 Material Development Generic Specification
At the time a new material is requested, a vendor will be provided a NIKE Generic
Specification outlining the performance expectations for the needed end-use. See

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Appendix II: PPS Generic Specification, for an example of NIKE PPS Generic
Specification. A vendor will be required to submit materials for the physical
property testing and aesthetic review as described in the “Material Development
Testing” section below. Vendors should test internally prior to submitting to third
party or Nike labs for development testing to avoid unnecessary cost and save
time. If, at any time during the development process a vendor realizes there are
one or more parameters on the specification they cannot meet, it must be clearly
stated in writing or it will be assumed the material will meet all the required test

parameters during development and production. It is the vendor‟s responsibility to
notify NIKE LO Material Developer of any quality concerns as soon as possible
and in writing.
B.5 Material Development Testing
Before testing any materials, a Home Office (HO) or Liaison Office (LO) Material
Developer will evaluate the fabric for aesthetic qualities, such as appearance and
hand. This is considered the “aesthetic approval.”
After this approval, the
material will be sent to the appropriate laboratory for physical testing depending on
the its spec number which is determined by end use, weight, classification,
content and system specification number.

For material development testing, vendors will do one of the following depending
on material end-use:





Submit the material to NIKE WHQ Lab, through the Liaison Office
Material Developer for testing at Beaverton Lab (BLAB);
Submit the material to a NIKE-approved third-party lab location at the
vendor‟s expense (see Appendix III: Intertek/NIKE Test Lab Site by
End-Use, and Appendix IV: NIKE/Intertek Test Request Form). A
supplier must have a submit number from NIKE and enter it on the
NIKE/Intertek Test Request Form;
Or, if a vendor is accredited through NIKE Vendor Laboratory
Accreditation Program, and holds a valid certificate, they will perform
their own material development testing for accredited test properties and
send the results to the NIKE LO Material Developer. Accredited vendors

will be given a submit procedure once their laboratory is approved.

To prevent any delays in testing, please make sure that adequate yardage, or
quantities of samples are sent to the laboratory. Below is a guideline of the

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Nike Product Integrity- Apparel & Equipment

Material Quality Manual

quantities needed for NIKE to properly evaluate a material.

For material item approvals, send a medium to dark colored material.


For labels, patches and heat transfers, send the darkest color way
available.

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