How to choose appropriate product standards for shoe testing

In the research and development, production, and quality control process of footwear products, selecting appropriate product standards is the key to ensuring product compliance, safety, and market competitiveness. Footwear products from different countries, regions, and uses may be subject to different testing standards, so multiple factors need to be considered comprehensively. The following are the key steps and precautions for selecting footwear testing standards:

1. Clearly define the product type and purpose

There are many types of footwear products, and testing standards need to be selected according to specific types:

classified by purposeSports shoes, casual shoes, children's shoes, safety shoes, outdoor shoes, etc;

Classified by MaterialLeather shoes, textile fabric shoes, rubber shoes, etc;

Classified by FunctionAnti slip shoes, waterproof shoes, insulated shoes, etc.

example：

Sports shoes should refer to《GB/T 24152-2018 Basketball Shoes "or international standard" ISO 19956:2018 Sports Shoes Buffer Performance Test "；

Safety shoes must comply with《GB 21148-2020 Foot Protection Safety Shoes "or EU standard" EN ISO 20345:2022 ".

2. Determine the regulatory requirements of the target market

The mandatory standards for footwear products vary in different countries and regions:

China: Must comply with national standards（GB）、 Industry standards (such as QB/T) or group standards;

European Union: Must meetCE certification requirements (such as REACH regulations, EN standards);

the United States: ReferenceASTM standards (such as ASTM F2413 safety shoe standard) or CPSC regulations;

Other marketsLike Japan（JIS）、 Australia (AS/NZS), etc.

Precautions：

Export products should focus on the chemical restricted substances (such as formaldehyde, azo dyes, heavy metals) and physical performance requirements of the target market.

3. Focus on core testing projects

Select key testing items based on product characteristics:

物理性能Wear resistance, flexural resistance, peel strength, slip resistance, etc;

Chemical safetyContent of harmful substances (such as phthalates and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons);

functional performanceBreathability, waterproofness, shock absorption, etc;

Special requirementsAttachment tensile testing for children's shoes, impact resistance performance of safety shoes, etc.

Common standard examples：

Wear resistance:《GB/T 3903.2-2017 General Test Methods for Footwear Wear Resistance ";

Folding resistance:《GB/T 3903.1-2017 General Test Methods for Footwear - Flexural Resistance.

4. Refer to industry common standards

International Standard：ISO (International Organization for Standardization) and SATRA (International Footwear Technology Center) standards;national standard: China（GB）、 United States (ASTM), European Union (EN);

Industry or enterprise standardsBrands such as Nike and Adidas may establish stricter internal control standards.

5. Combining supply chain and cost factors

Prioritize selecting testing standards familiar with the supply chain to avoid rework due to differences in standards;

Balance testing costs with market access requirements, such as selective testing for some non mandatory projects.

6Dynamically update standards

fixedPay attention to the revision of standards (such as the European Union)The EN standard is updated every 3-5 years;

Participate in industry association or third-party testing organization training to obtain the latest information.

Summary steps

1、classified productsClarify the type and function of footwear;

2、Lock in the marketResearch target country/Regional regulations;

3、Screening criteriaMatch core testing projects;

4、Verify complianceThrough third-party testing agencies (such asConfirmed by SGS and Intertek;

5、Continuous optimizationAdjust the testing plan based on feedback.Through a systematic standard selection process, enterprises can effectively reduce compliance risks, improve product quality, and enhance market competitiveness.