The Global Electronics Association, based in Bannockburn, Illinois, has issued the first global standard for classifying, designating and qualifying conductive yarns

The release of IPC-8911, Requirements for Conductive Yarns for E-Textiles Applications will help to address longstanding challenges in supply chain communication, product testing and material selection within the growing e-textiles industry.

The Global Electronics Association retains the IPC brand for the industry’s standards and certification programmes which are vital to ensure product reliability and consistency.

Developed by the IPC Conductive Yarns for E-Textiles Test Methods Task Group, IPC-8911 defines key yarn categories, introduces a standardised designation system and includes qualification and conformance requirements tailored to conductive yarns. The standard is supported by eight new test methods, designed to evaluate performance characteristics such as conductivity, mechanical durability and resistance to environmental and chemical exposures.

The task group included global experts from both textile and electronics sectors, with leadership from Joe Geiger of Bally Ribbon Mills and Sahar Rostami of Meta.

“This standard gives manufacturers tools to know what to ask for when ordering yarns and helps yarn suppliers understand the electrical needs their products must meet,’ said Geiger. ‘It brings clarity to the entire process, acting almost like a recipe for building reliable e-textile systems.”

“IPC-8911 eliminates the guesswork,” added Rostami. “It gives developers, researchers and engineers a common framework and accelerates R&D by reducing the need to reinvent the wheel when selecting and testing conductive yarns.”

By clearly defining the performance characteristics and communication protocols for conductive yarns, IPC-8911 supports faster product development, more consistent sourcing and improved reliability for all e-textile product applications, from consumer and medical to aerospace and defence.

The standard further establishes conductive yarns as true electronic building blocks while supporting better collaboration between yarn suppliers, product developers and OEMs and brands.

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