Overview
EN ISO 20150:2019 - published by CEN as the European version of ISO 20150:2019 - specifies a quantitative challenge test method to assess antifungal activity of footwear and footwear components. It applies only to products that claim antifungal (antimycotic) or antimicrobial properties. The standard defines laboratory procedures, safety requirements and result-expression methods to objectively evaluate how well shoes or components inhibit fungal growth under controlled challenge conditions.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and applicability: Intended for footwear and components with antifungal/antimicrobial claims.
- Two complementary test methods:
- Dynamic challenge test - suitable for all material types.
- Static challenge test - recommended for single, absorbent materials.
- Test elements covered:
- Safety and containment for handling micro‑fungi (lab training and facilities required).
- Required apparatus, reagents and culture media (e.g., malt media, malt extract agar, physiological saline, buffers, wetting agents).
- Selection and preparation of test microorganisms and inocula (including Candida albicans and filamentous fungi where applicable).
- Detailed procedures for inoculation, neutralization & elution at time 0 h and after incubation (time 24 h).
- Quantitative enumeration: determination of viable micro‑fungi, calculation of colony counts.
- Expression of results, including calculation of antifungal activity ratio and criteria for judging test effectiveness.
- Required content for the test report and traceability of results.
- Neutralization: Specifies neutralization steps to avoid carry‑over antimicrobial action during enumeration.
- Reproducibility: Procedures designed for consistent challenge, enabling comparison between products and laboratories.
Practical applications and users
- Footwear manufacturers & component suppliers - substantiate antifungal claims during product development and quality control.
- Independent testing laboratories - perform standardized challenge tests to provide reproducible certifications and test reports.
- R&D teams - evaluate the performance of antifungal treatments, coatings, or materials under defined fungal challenges.
- Regulatory and procurement bodies - use standardized data for compliance checks, product specifications and comparative assessments.
- Quality assurance - monitor product batches to ensure consistent antifungal performance.
Related standards and notes
- EN ISO 20150:2019 is prepared by ISO/TC 216 (Footwear) and adopted by CEN; national standards bodies in EU member states implement it as a national standard.
- Important: the test uses live micro‑fungi and must be run in facilities with appropriate containment and trained personnel.
Keywords: EN ISO 20150:2019, antifungal activity, footwear testing, challenge test, dynamic challenge test, static challenge test, antimicrobial footwear, quantitative test method.