Overview
CEN ISO/TS 23889:2026 - Footwear - Performance requirements for components for footwear - Heels and top pieces is an international technical specification that establishes performance and test requirements for heels and top pieces used in footwear. Developed by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) in cooperation with ISO, this standard is essential for manufacturers and suppliers aiming to ensure the quality and suitability of heel and top piece components, regardless of material. The document does not apply to finished footwear but serves as a critical reference for the assessment of heel and top pieces across all footwear types.
Key Topics
- Performance Requirements: Defines both essential and, where applicable, additional requirements for the durability, safety, and fitness for purpose of heels and top pieces.
- Test Methods: Specifies standardized procedures for evaluating compliance, including mechanical strength, abrasion resistance, and slip resistance according to referenced ISO standards.
- Classification: Outlines classifications for footwear components based on end use, ranging from slight exposure (e.g., indoor shoes, slippers) to heavy-duty applications (e.g., trekking and work shoes).
- Marking and Labelling: Provides guidance for optional product marking, ensuring clear identification of compliant components for traceability and consumer trust.
Applications
CEN ISO/TS 23889:2026 is widely applicable within the footwear industry for the following purposes:
- Component Manufacture: Ensures heel and top piece components meet defined technical criteria before integration into footwear, reducing failures and warranty claims.
- Quality Control: Supports both suppliers and manufacturers in consistently testing products for durability, impact resistance, and adhesion, which is vital for performance footwear and safety compliance.
- Specification and Procurement: Serves as a reliable and recognized benchmark for specifying component quality in procurement, helping buyers and manufacturers align on technical requirements from the outset.
- Product Development: Assists R&D teams in designing and developing new heel and top piece solutions that are robust and suitable for the intended footwear class and usage environments.
- Standardized Testing: Facilitates international harmonization in testing methods, improving product comparability, global trade, and consumer safety.
Related Standards
CEN ISO/TS 23889:2026 references and aligns with several key ISO footwear standards to ensure comprehensive evaluation and harmonized terminology, including:
- ISO 20871: Footwear - Test methods for outsoles - Abrasion resistance
- ISO 24267: Footwear - Determination of coefficient of friction for footwear and sole components - Test method
- ISO 17709: Footwear - Sampling location, preparation, and duration of conditioning of samples and test pieces
- ISO 19953, ISO 19956, ISO 19957: Test methods for mechanical properties such as lateral impact resistance, fatigue resistance, and heel pin holding strength
- ISO 24264: Test methods for hollow and compact heels with top pieces - Top piece attachment strength
- ISO 19952: Footwear - Vocabulary
Practical Value
Adherence to CEN ISO/TS 23889:2026 not only promotes consistent quality and performance across the footwear supply chain but also supports product innovation and compliance with international market expectations. By defining clear requirements and standard methods for testing footwear components, this standard enhances consumer confidence, strengthens brand reputation, and contributes to safer and more durable footwear products.