Overview
EN ISO 15702:1999 / ISO 15702:1998 specifies a standardized test method to assess colour fastness of leather to machine washing. Developed by the IULTCS Fastness Tests Commission and adopted as a CEN/ISO standard, it evaluates colour change of leather, staining of an adjacent textile, and any change in leather finish caused by an aggressive machine-washing process representative of textile laundering.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope: Measures resistance of leather to machine washing; suitable for grain-side colour change, staining of adjacent fabrics and finish alterations. Not intended to replace ISO 15703 (mild washing).
- Specimen: Composite specimen of leather (100 mm × 36 mm) with a multifibre adjacent fabric attached to the flesh side.
- Washing liquor & detergent: Use ECE Colour Fastness Test Detergent 77 (or equivalent) at 4.0 g per litre. Note: the detergent contains a high phosphate content and may not reflect modern commercial detergents.
- Apparatus: Small rotating drum (≈500 ml working capacity) with PTFE rods (≈20 rods, 20 mm ±2 mm length, 7–9 mm diameter).
- Test cycle:
- 100 ml washing liquor, warm to 40 °C ± 2 °C
- Rotate at 40 rpm ± 5 rpm for 30 min
- Two rinses with 100 ml water at 40 °C for 10 min each
- Squeeze under blotting paper and 4.5 kg weight for 1 min; air dry at 20 °C ± 2 °C, 65 % ± 2 % RH
- Assessment:
- Visual grey scale for change in colour (ISO 105-A02) and staining (ISO 105-A03)
- Instrumental options per ISO 105-A04 / A05 where available
- Reporting: Must include reference to the standard, leather description, tested surface, detergent and adjacent fabric used, apparatus, grey scale ratings, finish changes, deviations and test date.
Practical applications and users
- Who uses it: tanneries, leather finishers, footwear and leather goods manufacturers, textile–leather product developers, independent testing laboratories and quality assurance teams.
- Why use it:
- Validate leather intended for items that may be machine washed (e.g., some sports shoes, labels, backpacks)
- Compare dye systems, finishes and processes for wash durability
- Support supplier specifications, product development and conformity testing
- Benefits: Provides a reproducible, industry-recognized method to quantify colour change and staining, enabling material selection and process control.
Related standards
- ISO 15703 - Colour fastness to mild washing (hand wash)
- ISO 105-A series - Colour fastness general principles and grey scales (A01, A02, A03, A04, A05)
- ISO 105-F10 - Specification for multifibre adjacent fabric
- ISO 2419, ISO 3696 - Conditioning and water quality
Keywords: leather colour fastness, machine washing test, EN ISO 15702, ISO 15702:1998, ECE detergent, multifibre fabric, grey scale assessment, leather testing, washing durability.