Overview
EN ISO 17700:2019 - Footwear: Test methods for upper components and insocks - Colour fastness to rubbing and bleeding is a CEN-endorsed international standard that defines laboratory procedures to assess how footwear materials retain or transfer colour. It specifies three rubbing test methods (A, B and C) for evaluating colour transfer under dry or wet rubbing conditions and one method (D) for assessing the likelihood of colour bleeding. The standard applies to all footwear uppers, linings and insocks; method D also covers sewing threads and shoelaces. EN ISO 17700:2019 replaces the 2005 edition and incorporates a new to‑and‑fro circular rubbing method (method C).
Key topics and technical requirements
- Defined test methods:
- Method A: to‑and‑fro square rubbing (finger‑type) test.
- Method B: rotative rub fastness testing machine.
- Method C: to‑and‑fro circular rubbing (new addition).
- Method D: test for colour fastness to bleeding (applies also to laces/yarns).
- Scope of application: all footwear uppers, linings and insocks, irrespective of material.
- Apparatus and materials: specifies machines, rubbing fingers, felt pad sizes and properties, applied loads and cycle rates (see standard for measured values and tolerances).
- Sampling, conditioning and test procedure: requirements for specimen preparation, environmental conditioning (reference to footwear standard atmospheres), and step‑by‑step test execution.
- Assessment and reporting: use of grey scales for change and staining, reporting formats and required test data.
- Updates from previous edition: adds method C and extends method D to shoelaces and yarns.
Practical applications
- Quality control and incoming material inspection for footwear manufacturers (uppers, linings, insocks).
- Laboratory testing services offering colour fastness and durability testing for shoe components.
- Footwear R&D teams validating new dyes, finishes or material combinations for rub resistance and bleeding risk.
- Compliance checks where colour transfer or bleeding could cause consumer complaints, staining of garments, or reduced aesthetic performance.
Who should use this standard
- Footwear manufacturers, component suppliers and material formulators.
- Textile and leather testing laboratories.
- Product compliance and quality assurance managers in the footwear industry.
- Designers and R&D engineers concerned with colourfastness performance.
Related standards
- ISO 105‑A01 / A02 / A03, colour fastness and grey scales for textiles
- ISO 105‑F09 / F10, specifications for rubbing cloth and multifibre adjacent fabric
- ISO 3696, water for laboratory use
- ISO 4045, leather pH determination
- ISO 18454, standard atmospheres for conditioning/testing footwear
EN ISO 17700:2019 is essential when assessing colour fastness to rubbing and bleeding in footwear components, enabling consistent, reproducible lab results that support quality assurance, product development and regulatory conformity.