Overview
EN ISO 13287:2019 - Personal protective equipment - Footwear - Test method for slip resistance (ISO 13287:2019) specifies a laboratory test method to assess the slip resistance of PPE footwear and related soling components. The standard defines how to measure the coefficient of friction (CoF) between footwear and test surfaces, required apparatus, sampling and conditioning, test modes and reporting. Footwear marketed as “slip resistant” is treated as personal protective equipment under this standard. It is not applicable to special-purpose footwear fitted with spikes, metal studs or similar.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and status: Third edition (2019); endorsed by CEN as EN ISO 13287:2019 and supersedes the 2012 edition.
- Fundamental principles: Measurement of frictional force and normal force to calculate CoF; terms such as static contact time and measurement period are defined.
- Apparatus:
- Standard shoemaking lasts or a specified mechanical foot to mount samples (Annex A).
- Mechanisms to apply the normal force and induce relative motion.
- Force measurement devices with ±2% accuracy for both normal and frictional forces.
- Specified test surfaces: stainless steel plate (prepared to a roughness Rz ≈ 1.6–2.5 µm), pressed ceramic tile (Eurotile 2) (Annex B), and other characterized floors.
- Reference slider (Slider 96) or equivalent for calibration (Annex C).
- Sampling & conditioning: Requires representative left and right samples; conditioning procedures (conditioning time reduced to 24 h in this edition).
- Test modes and calibration: Defines test speeds, contact conditions, curved outsole handling, and calibration procedures for test surfaces and tiles.
- Reporting: Specifies required test report information including CoF values, test surface, footwear preparation and any deviations.
Practical applications
- Product evaluation and R&D: footwear designers and manufacturers use EN ISO 13287:2019 during development to quantify slip performance of outsoles and sole units.
- Certification and compliance: test laboratories and conformity assessment bodies rely on the method for supplier claims of “slip resistance.”
- Procurement and safety: safety officers, specifiers and buyers use CoF data to compare PPE footwear for workplaces with slip hazards (wet, oily or contaminated floors).
- Quality control: production and QA teams use the method to monitor consistency of soling materials and manufacturing processes.
Who uses this standard
- PPE footwear manufacturers and designers
- Accredited testing laboratories and certification bodies
- Occupational health & safety professionals and procurement teams
- Standards organizations and regulatory authorities
Related standards
- ISO 4287 - surface texture/profile (referenced for steel plate roughness)
- ISO 4662 - rubber rebound resilience (referenced)
- Annexes in EN ISO 13287:2019: A (last/mechanical foot), B (Eurotile 2 specification), C (calibration procedure)
Keywords: EN ISO 13287:2019, ISO 13287, slip resistance test, PPE footwear testing, coefficient of friction, Eurotile 2, Slider 96.
