Overview
EN ISO 17701:2016 defines a standardised test method to determine the propensity of footwear materials to cause colour migration (discolouration) when stored in intimate contact. Applicable to uppers, linings, insocks and to adhesives used in bonding, the method evaluates colour transfer and change under controlled pressure, temperature and time.
This second edition (2016) replaces the 2003 edition and is endorsed by CEN as EN ISO 17701:2016. The test is intended for material selection, production quality control and conformity assessment in footwear manufacturing.
Key Topics
- Scope and purpose: Assess discolouration caused by movement of colour from one material to another and the effect of adhesives or laminates.
- Apparatus and materials:
- Knife for cutting specimens.
- Two smooth glass plates (minimum 70 mm × 70 mm, ~50 g ± 5 g each).
- Additional mass sized to produce a contact pressure of 5.2 kPa ± 0.5 kPa (mass adjusted for specimen area).
- Oven without a window, maintained at 60 °C ± 2 °C.
- Calibrated colorimeter for CIE/CIELAB measurements and grey scales for visual assessment (ISO 105-A02, ISO 105-A03).
- Artificial lighting or north daylight for visual assessment.
- Sampling and conditioning:
- Store materials in a standard conditioned atmosphere (ISO 18454) for at least 24 h prior to testing.
- Typical specimen sizes: 30 mm × 20 mm for material-to-material tests; 50 mm × 50 mm for adhesive or laminate tests.
- Test procedure:
- Place specimens in intimate contact between glass plates, apply the calculated mass to achieve specified pressure, and store in the dark at 60 °C.
- Measure colour (CIE values) before exposure and after exposures of 24 h increments up to a total of 7 days.
- Assess colour change and staining using CIE measurements and grey scale ratings; record descriptions of colour, intensity and uniformity.
Applications
- Quality control in footwear manufacturing to prevent unwanted staining or colour transfer between components.
- Material selection for uppers, linings, insocks and adhesives to ensure compatibility and durability in service.
- Supplier verification and incoming inspection to reduce returns and warranty claims due to discolouration.
- Regulatory and conformity testing where product appearance and performance are specified.
Related Standards
EN ISO 17701 references and aligns with other colorfastness and footwear standards, including:
- ISO 105-A01, ISO 105-A02, ISO 105-A03 (textile colourfastness and grey scales)
- ISO 18454 (standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing of footwear)
- ISO 19952 (footwear vocabulary)
- CIE 15 (colorimetry)
For test reports, include specimen descriptions, exposure times, CIE measurements, grey scale ratings and qualitative descriptions of any transfer or loss of colour. This ensures reproducible results and supports material compatibility decisions in footwear production.
