
Footwear standards, detailed explanation of ISO standards for footwear inspection
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is the world's largest international standardization organization, established on February 23, 1947. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, ISO is a non-governmental international organization that is not affiliated with the United Nations. However, it serves as a Class A advisory body to the UN and maintains close ties with many UN organizations and specialized agencies. In the footwear industry, there are three main international standardization organizations:
ISO/TC 137 “Shoe size identification and marking systems”, ISO/TC 216 “Footwear” and ISO/TC 94/SC 3 “Foot protection”.
1 Overview of ISO/TC 137 Standardization Organization and Standards
The International Organization for Standardization ISO/TC 137 "Footwear sizing designations and marking systems" is mainly responsible for international standards such as shoe sizing systems based on foot measurement, standardization of shoe size identification and marking, standardization of shoe size ranges (units and size differences), standardization of calibration systems for shoe lasts or similar devices, and terminology.
List of currently valid ISO/TC 137 footwear standards
Serial number |
Standard No. |
Standard Name |
Standard Type |
1 |
ISO 9407:2019 |
Footwear sizing—Mondopoint system of sizing and marking Shoe size and its identification in the world shoe size system |
Basic Standards |
2 |
ISO/TS 19407:2015 |
Footwear—Sizing—Conversion of sizingsystems Shoe size system shoe size comparison table |
Basic Standards |
3 |
ISO/TS 19408:2015 |
Footwear—Sizing—Vocabulary and terminology Footwear Sizing System Terminology |
Basic Standards |
2. Overview of ISO/TC 216 Standardization Organization and Standards
ISO/TC 216, "Footwear," is responsible for method standards, terminology, and performance requirements for footwear components, as well as method standards and terminology for complete shoes. It does not cover professional footwear (which is covered by ISO/TC 94) or shoe size identification and marking systems (which are covered by ISO/TC 137).
Currently, ISO/TC 216 has four working groups: ISO/TC 216/WG 1 Minimum performance requirements and test methods for components of footwear, ISO/TC 216/WG 2 Footwear and the environment, ISO/TC 216/WG 3 Terminology, and ISO/TC 216/WG 5 Footwear and microorganisms.
The ISO/TC 216 system of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) follows the quality control philosophy of EU countries – controlling the quality of complete footwear products by controlling the performance and quality of materials or footwear components. Therefore, its standard system framework is based on method standards, supplemented by footwear-related basic standards and technical reports (TRs) on footwear component products. The method standards mainly focus on testing the physical and mechanical properties of various components, a small amount of whole shoe performance testing, and detection methods for chemical limit substances in shoes and footwear components. There are no whole shoe product standards in the system.
As of November 2021, ISO/TC 216 has published a total of 86 standards. Among them, there are 4 basic standards, 8 product standards (Technical Reports TR) for footwear components, and the remaining 74 are test method standards: 10 chemical methods and 64 physical methods (4 of which are test methods for whole shoe testing).
List of currently valid ISO/TC 216 footwear standards
Serial number |
Standard No. |
Standard Name |
Standard Type |
1 |
ISO 10717:2010 |
Footwear —Test method for slide fasteners —Burst strength Footwear - Zipper test method - Bursting strength |
Method Standards |
2 |
ISO 10734:2016 |
Footwear—Test mehod for slide fasteners—Strength of slide fastener pullers Footwear - Zipper test method - Tab strength |
Method Standards |
3 |
ISO 10748:2011 |
Footwear --Test method for slide fasteners --Slider locking strength Footwear - Zipper test methods - Slider locking strength |
Method Standards |
4 |
ISO 10750:2015 |
Footwear—Test method for slide fasteners—Attachment strength of end stops Footwear - Test methods for zippers - End-stop bond strength |
Method Standards |
5 |
ISO 10751:2016 |
Footwear—Test methods for slide fasteners—Resistance to repeated opening and closing Test method for footwear zippers - Resistance to repeated opening and closing |
Method Standards |
6 |
ISO 10764:2016 |
Footwear—Test method for slide fasteners—Lateral strength Footwear - Test method for zippers - Transverse strength |
Method Standards |
7 |
ISO 10765:2010 |
Footwear-Test method for the characterization of elastic materials-Tensile performance Footwear - Test methods for elastic materials - Tensile properties |
Method Standards |
8 |
ISO 10768:2010 |
Footwear -Test method for the determination of the resistance of elastic materials for footwear to repeated extension -Fatigue resistance Footwear - Test methods for elastomeric materials - Fatigue resistance |
Method Standards |
9 |
ISO 16177:2012 |
Footwear --Resistance to crack initiation and growth --Belt flex method Footwear - Test method for flexural properties of conveyor belts |
Method Standards |
10 |
ISO/TR 16178:2021 |
Footwear --Criticalsubstances potentially present in footwear and footwear components–Lists of critical chemical substances Footwear - List of restricted substances present in footwear and footwear components |
Basic Standards |
11 |
ISO/TS 16179:2012 |
Footwear --Critical substances potentially present in footwear and footwear components --Determination of organotin compounds in footwear materials Determination of the limited substance organotins in footwear and footwear components |
Method Standards |
12 |
ISO/TS 16181-1:2021 |
Footwear --Critical substances potentially present in footwear and footwear components --Part 1: Determination of phthalate with solvent extraction Footwear - Limited substances in footwear and footwear components - Part 1: Determination of phthalates by solvent extraction |
Method Standards |
13 |
ISO16181-2:2021 |
Footwear--Critical substances potentially present in footwear and footwear components --Part 2: Determination of phthalate without solvent extraction Footwear - Limited substances in footwear and footwear components - Part 2: Determination of phthalates by non-solvent extraction |
Method Standards |
14 |
ISO 16186:2021 |
Footwear --Critical substances potentially present in footwear and footwear components --Determination of dimethyl fumarate (DMFU) Footwear - Limitation of the substance dimethyl fumarate in footwear and footwear components |
Method Standards |
15 |
ISO 16187:2013 |
Footwear and footwear components --Test method to assess antibacterial activity Test methods for evaluation of the antimicrobial properties of footwear and footwear components against bacteria |
Method Standards |
16 |
ISO/TS 16189:2013 |
Footwear --Critical substances potentially present in footwear and footwear components --Test method to quantitatively determine dimethylformamide in footwear materials Footwear - Determination of the limited substance dimethylformamide in footwear and footwear components |
Method Standards |
17 |
ISO 16190:2021 |
Footwear --Critical substances potentially present in footwear and footwear components --Test method to quantitatively determine polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in footwear materials Footwear - Limited substances in footwear and footwear components - Test method for quantitative determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in footwear materials |
Method Standards |
18 |
ISO 17693:2004 |
Footwear -Test methods for uppers -Resistance to damage on lasting Footwear - Upper test method - Tightness of upper |
Method Standards |
19 |
ISO 17694:2016 |
Footwear -Test methods for uppers and lining -Flex resistance Footwear - Test methods for uppers and linings - Folding resistance |
Method Standards |
20 |
ISO 17695:2004 |
Footwear -Test methods for uppers –Defomability Footwear - Upper test method - Deformation |
Method Standards |
twenty one |
ISO 17696:2004 |
Footwear --Test methods for uppers, linings and insocks --Tear strength Footwear - Test methods for tear strength of uppers, linings and insoles |
Method Standards |
twenty two |
ISO 17697:2016 |
Footwear -Test methods for uppers, lining and insocks -Seam strength Footwear - Test methods for uppers, linings and insoles - Seam strength |
Method Standards |
twenty three |
ISO 17698:2016 |
Footwear -Test methods for uppers -Delamination resistance Footwear - Upper test method - Peel strength between layers |
Method Standards |
twenty four |
ISO 17699:2003 |
Footwear --Test methods for uppers and lining --Water vapor permeability and absorption Footwear - Test methods for water vapour permeability and water absorption of uppers and linings |
Method Standards |
25 |
ISO 17700:2019 |
Footwear-Test methods for uppercomponents and insocks-Color fastness to rubbing and bleeding Footwear - Test methods for uppers and linings - Colour fastness to friction and bleeding |
Method Standards |
26 |
ISO 17701:2016 |
Footwear -Test methods for uppers, lining and insocks -Colour migration Footwear - Test methods for uppers, linings and insoles - Color migration |
Method Standards |
27 |
ISO 17702:2003 |
Footwear -Test methods for uppers -Water resistance Footwear - Test methods for waterproof performance of uppers |
Method Standards |
28 |
ISO 17703:2003 |
Footwear -Test methods for uppers -High temperature behavior Footwear - Upper test methods - High temperature performance |
Method Standards |
29 |
ISO 17704:2004 |
Footwear -Test methods for uppers, linings and insocks -Abrasion resistance Footwear - Test methods for wear resistance of uppers, linings and insoles |
Method Standards |
30 |
ISO 17705:2003 |
Footwear -Test methods for uppers,lining and insocks -Thermal insulation Footwear - Test methods for thermal insulation properties of uppers, linings and insoles |
Method Standards |
31 |
ISO 17706:2003 |
Footwear --Test methods for uppers --Tensile strength and elongation Footwear - Test methods for uppers - Tensile strength and elongation |
Method Standards |
32 |
ISO 17707:2005 |
Footwear-Test methods for outsoles-Flex resistance Footwear - Outsole test methods - Folding resistance |
Method Standards |
33 |
ISO 17708:2018 |
Footwear-Test methods for whole shoe-Upper sole adhesion Footwear - Test methods for whole shoes - Upper-sole bond strength |
Method Standards |
34 |
ISO 17709:2004 |
Footwear -Sampling location, preparation and duration of conditioning of samples and test pieces Footwear - Sampling location, preparation and conditioning time for samples and test specimens |
Basic Standards |
35 |
ISO 18403:2016 |
Footwear—Test method for slide fasteners—Resistance to damage during closure under a lateral force Footwear - Zipper test method - Resistance to damage by lateral forces when closed |
Method Standards |
36 |
ISO 18454:2018 |
Footwear -Standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing of footwear and components for footwear Footwear - Standard environments for conditioning and testing footwear and footwear components |
Basic Standards |
37 |
ISO 18895:2006 |
Footwear -Test methods for shanks -Fatigue resistance Footwear - Shank test method for fatigue resistance |
Method Standards |
38 |
ISO 18896:2018 |
Footwear -Test methods for shanks -Longitudinal stiffness Footwear - Shank test method - Longitudinal stiffness |
Method Standards |
39 |
ISO19577:2019 |
Footwear--Critical substances potentially present in footwear and footwear components --Determination of Nitrosamines Footwear - Determination of the presence of nitrosamines as a restricted substance in footwear and footwear components |
Method Standards |
40 |
ISO 19952:2005 |
Footwear Vocabulary Footwear Terminology |
Basic Standards |
41 |
ISO 19953:2004 |
Footwear-Test methods for heels-Resistance to lateral impact Footwear - Test methods for heel lateral impact resistance |
Method Standards |
42 |
ISO 19954:2003 |
Footwear--Test methods for whole shoe--Washability in a domestic washing machine Footwear -- Test method for whole shoes. Washability in domestic washing machines |
Method Standards |
43 |
ISO 19956:2004 |
Footwear-Test methods for heels-Fatigue resistance Footwear - Heel test method - Fatigue resistance |
Method Standards |
44 |
ISO 19957:2021 |
Footwear -Test methods for heels -Heel pin holding strength Footwear - Heel test method - Nail holding force |
Method Standards |
45 |
ISO 19958:2004 |
Footwear -Test methods for heels and top pieces -Top piece retention strength Footwear - Test methods for heels and heel surfaces - Heel-surface adhesion |
Method Standards |
46 |
ISO20150:2019 |
Footwear and footwear components –Quantitative challenge test method to assess antifungal activity Test method for quantitative evaluation of antifungal properties of footwear and footwear components |
Method Standards |
47 |
ISO 20535:2019 |
Footwear –Test method for insoles and in socks –Dimensional change after cycle of wetting and drying Footwear - Test methods for insoles and insoles - Dimensional change rate during wet and dry cycles |
Method Standards |
48 |
ISO20536:2017 |
Footwear–Critical substances potentially present in footwear and footwear components –Determination of phenol in footwear materials Footwear - Determination of the limited substance phenol in footwear and footwear components |
Method Standards |
49 |
ISO/TR 20572:2007 |
Footwear --Performance requirements for components for footwear --Accessories Footwear - Annex to performance requirements for footwear components |
Technical Report |
50 |
ISO/TR 20573:2006 |
Footwear --Performance requirements for components for footwear --Heels and top pieces Footwear - Performance requirements for footwear components - Heels and heel counters |
Technical Report |
51 |
ISO 20863:2018 |
Footwear -Test methods for stiffeners and toe puffs –Bondability Footwear - Test method for adhesion of heel and toe caps |
Method Standards |
52 |
ISO 20864:2004 |
Footwear -Test methods for stiffeners and toe puffs -Mechanical characteristics Footwear - Test methods for heel and toe caps - Mechanical properties |
Method Standards |
53 |
ISO 20865:2002 |
Footwear -Test methods for outsoles -Compression energy Footwear - Outsole test method - Compression energy |
Method Standards |
54 |
ISO 20866:2018 |
Footwear-Test methods for insoles-Delamination resistance Footwear - Insole test methods - Interlaminar peel strength |
Method Standards |
55 |
ISO 20867:2018 |
Footwear-Test methods for insoles-Heel pin holding strength Footwear - Insole test methods - Heel nail holding force |
Method Standards |
56 |
ISO 20868:2001 |
Footwear -Test methods for insoles -Abrasion resistance Footwear - Insole test methods - Abrasion resistance |
Method Standards |
57 |
ISO 20869:2010 |
Footwear -Test methods for outsoles, insoles, lining and insocks -Water soluble content Footwear - Test methods for outsoles, insoles, linings and insoles - Water-soluble matter content |
Method Standards |
58 |
ISO 20870:2017 |
Footwear-Ageing conditioning Footwear-Aging Treatment |
Method Standards |
59 |
ISO 20871:2018 |
Footwear-Test methods for outsoles-Abrasion resistance Footwear - Test methods for outsoles - Abrasion resistance |
Method Standards |
60 |
ISO 20872:2018 |
Footwear-Test methods for outsoles-Tear strength Footwear - Test methods for outsoles - Tear strength |
Method Standards |
61 |
ISO 20873:2018 |
Footwear-Test methods for outsoles-Dimensional stability Footwear - Test methods for outsoles - Dimensional stability |
Method Standards |
62 |
ISO 20874:2018 |
Footwear-Test methods for outsoles-Needle tear strength Footwear - Test methods for outsoles - Needle tear strength |
Method Standards |
63 |
ISO 20875:2018 |
Footwear -Test methods for outsoles –Determination of split tear strength and delamination resistance Footwear - Outsole test methods for determination of split tear force and interlaminar peel strength |
Method Standards |
64 |
ISO 20876:2018 |
Footwear -Test methods for insoles -Resistance to stitch tear Footwear - Insole test methods - Seam tearing force |
Method Standards |
65 |
ISO 20877:2011 |
Footwear --Test methods for whole shoe --Thermal insulation Footwear - Test method for thermal insulation of whole shoes |
Method Standards |
66 |
ISO/TR 20879:2007 |
Footwear --Performance requirements for components for footwear –Uppers Footwear--Performance requirements for footwear components-Upper |
Technical Report |
67 |
ISO/TR 20880:2007 |
Footwear --Performance requirements for components for footwear --Outsoles Footwear -- Performance requirements for footwear components - Outsoles |
Technical Report |
68 |
ISO/TR 20881:2007 |
Footwear --Performance requirements for components for footwear --Insoles Footwear -- Performance requirements for footwear components - Insoles |
Technical Report |
69 |
ISO/TR 20882:2007 |
Footwear --Performance requirements for components for footwear --Lining and insocks Footwear -- Performance requirements for footwear components: linings and insoles |
Technical Report |
70 |
ISO/TR 20883:2007 |
Footwear --Performance requirements for components for footwear --Shanks Footwear - Performance requirements for footwear components |
Technical Report |
71 |
ISO/TR 22648:2007 |
Footwear --Performance requirements for components for footwear --Stiffeners and toepuffs Footwear -- Performance requirements for footwear components - Heel and toe cap |
Technical Report |
72 |
ISO 22649:2016 |
Footwear-Test methods for insoles and insocks -Water absorption and desorption Test methods for insoles and insoles of footwear - Water absorption and desorption |
Method Standards |
73 |
ISO 22650:2018 |
Footwear -Test methods for whole shoe -Heel attachment Footwear - Test methods for whole shoes - Heel bond strength |
Method Standards |
74 |
ISO 22651:2002 |
Footwear-Test methods for insoles-Dimensional stability Footwear - Insole test methods - Dimensional stability |
Method Standards |
75 |
ISO 22652:2002 |
Footwear-Test methods for insoles,lining and insocks-perspiration resistance Footwear - Test methods for insoles, linings and insoles - Perspiration resistance |
Method Standards |
76 |
ISO 22653:2003 |
Footwear -Test methods for insoles and insocks -Static friction Footwear -- Test methods for linings and insoles -- Static friction |
Method Standards |
77 |
ISO 22654:2002 |
Footwear -Test methods for outsoles -Tensile strength and elongation Footwear -- Test methods for outsoles - Tensile strength and elongation |
Method Standards |
78 |
ISO 22774:2004 |
Footwear -Test methods for accessories: shoe laces -Abrasion resistance Footwear -- Test methods for shoelaces - Abrasion resistance |
Method Standards |
79 |
ISO 22775:2004 |
Footwear -Test methods for accessories:Metallic accessories -Corrosion resistance Footwear -- Test methods for corrosion resistance of metal accessories |
Method Standards |
80 |
ISO 22776:2004 |
Footwear -Test methods for accessories:Touch and close fasteners -Shear strength before and after repeated closing Footwear - Velcro test method - Shear strength before and after repeated opening and closing |
Method Standards |
81 |
ISO 22777:2004 |
Footwear -Test methods for accessories:Touch and close fasteners -Peel strength before and after repeated closing Footwear - Velcro test method - Peel strength before and after repeated opening and closing |
Method Standards |
82 |
ISO24263:2020 |
Footwear–Attachment strength of straps, trims and accessories Footwear--Strength of bonding of straps, trims and accessories |
Method Standards |
83 |
ISO24264:2020 |
Footwear–Test methods for hollow and compact heels with toppieces –Top piece attachment strength Footwear -- Test method for hollow and compact heels with heel fins -- Heel-finger bond strength |
Method Standards |
84 |
ISO24265:2020 |
Footwear–Test methods for uppers –Resistance to rubbing using a rubber strip Footwear -- Test method for uppers -- Rubber abrasion resistance |
Method Standards |
85 |
ISO24266:2020 |
Footwear–Test methods for whole shoe –Flexing durability Footwear -- Test method for whole shoe flexural resistance |
Method Standards |
86 |
ISO24267:2020 |
Footwear–Determination of coefficient of friction for footwear and sole components –Test method Footwear -- Test method for determining the coefficient of friction of footwear and soles |
method |
3. ISO/TC 94/SC 3: Overview of Standardization Organizations and Standards
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO)'s ISO/TC 94, "Personal safety – Personal protective equipment," is responsible for standardizing the performance of personal protective equipment (PPE), designed to protect the wearer from all known hazards. Its subcommittee, ISO/TC 94/SC 3, "Foot protection," is responsible for standardizing foot protection-related work.
List of currently valid ISO/TC 94/SC 3 footwear standards
Serial number |
Standard No. |
Standard Name |
1 |
ISO 4643:1992 |
Molded plastics footwear—Lined or unlined poly(vinyl choride)boots for general industrial use—Specification Lined or unlined polyvinyl chloride boots for the moulded plastics footwear industry - Specification |
2 |
ISO 5423:1992 |
Molded plastics footwear –Lined or unlined polyurethane boots for general industrial use—Specification Lined or unlined polyester boots for the molded plastics footwear industry - Specification |
3 |
ISO 13287:2019 |
Personal protective equipment—Footwear—Test method for slip resistance Personal protective equipment - Footwear - Test method for anti-slip performance |
4 |
ISO 17249:2013 |
Safety footwear with resistance to chain saw cutting Chain saw safety shoes |
5 |
ISO/TR 18690:2012 |
Guidance for the selection, use and maintenance of safety and occupational footwear and other personal protective equipment offering foot and leg protection Guide to the selection, use, and maintenance of labor and occupational footwear and other personal protective equipment that provides foot and leg protection |
6 |
ISO 20344:2021 |
Personal protective equipment—Test methods for footwear Test methods for personal protective equipment footwear |
7 |
ISO 20345:2011 |
Personal protective equipment—Safety footwear Personal protective equipment safety shoes |
8 |
ISO 20346:2014 |
Personal protective equipment—Protective footwear Personal protective equipment protective shoes |
9 |
ISO 20347:2012 |
Personal protective equipment—Occupational footwear Personal protective equipment occupation shoes |
10 |
ISO 20349-1:2017 |
Personal protective equipment—Footwear protecting against risks in foundries and welding—Part 1: Requirements and test methods for protection against risks in foundries Personal protective equipment - Footwear for protection against risks in foundries and welding - Part 1: Requirements and test methods for protection against risks in foundries |
11 |
ISO20349-1:2017/AMD 1:2020 |
Personal protective equipment—Footwear protecting against risks in foundries and welding—Part 1: Requirements and test methods for protection against risks in foundries—Amendment 1 Personal protective equipment - Footwear for protection against risks in foundries and welding - Part 1: Requirements and test methods for protection against risks in foundries - Amendment 1 |
12 |
ISO20349-2:2017 |
Personal protective equipment—Footwear protecting against risks in foundries and welding—Part 2: Requirements and test methods for protection against risks in welding and allied processes Personal protective equipment - Footwear for protection against risks in foundries and welding - Part 2: Requirements and test methods for protection against risks in welding and allied processes |
13 |
ISO20349-2:2017/AMD 1:2020 |
Personal protective equipment—Footwear protecting against risks in foundries and welding—Part 2: Requirements and test methods for protection against risks in welding and allied Personal protective equipment - Footwear for protection against risks in foundries and welding - Part 2: Requirements and test methods for protection against risks in welding and allied processes - Amendment 1 |
14 |
ISO22568-1:2019 |
Footand leg protectors —Requirements and test methods for footwear components —Part 1: Metallic toecaps Foot and leg protectors - Requirements and test methods for components of footwear - Part 1: Metal toe cap |
15 |
ISO22568-2:2019 |
Footand leg protectors —Requirements and test methods for footwear component —Part2: Non-metallic toecaps Foot and leg protectors - Requirements and test methods for components of footwear - Part 2: Non-metallic toe cap |
16 |
ISO22568-3:2019 |
Footand leg protectors—Requirements and test methods for footwear components—Part3: Metallicperforation resistant inserts Foot and leg protectors - Requirements and test methods for components of footwear - Part 3: Metal anti-perforation inserts |
17 |
ISO22568-4:2019 |
Footand leg protectors —Requirements and test methods for footwear components —Part4: Non-metallic perforation resistant inserts Foot and leg protectors - Requirements and test methods for components of footwear - Part 4: Non-metallic |
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Footwear standards, detailed explanation of ISO standards for footwear
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is the world's largest international standardization organization, established on February 23, 1947. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, ISO is a non-governmental international organization not affiliated with the United Nations. However, it serves as a Level A advisory body to the UN and maintains close ties with many UN organizations and specialized agencies.