The official requirements for sutures in Australia are those of British Pharmacopoeia (B.P.). The results of a survey conducted by this Laboratory indicate that the B.P. test and specifications for knot pull strength are no longer appropriate for sutures currently available in this country. It is suggested that tensile strength measurements on sutures should be carried out, without prior soaking, using the load cell type of constant rate of extension apparatus rather than the pendulum type tester specified in the B.P. Use of a simple knot is suitable for testing synthetic sutures, but the surgeon's knot is preferred for catgut. All products tested easily met both the B.P. and the United States Pharmacopeia (U.S.P.) requirements for tensile strength.