Overview
EN ISO 19953:2004 - Footwear - Test methods for heels - Resistance to lateral impact specifies a standardized method for determining the impact strength of women's shoe heels. Developed by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) in collaboration with ISO, this standard plays a crucial role in assessing the durability and safety of high heel constructions during wear, especially under occasional heavy impacts. The method is applicable to all types of high heels but is particularly beneficial for testing injection-moulded plastic heels reinforced with steel dowels.
Key Topics
- Lateral Impact Resistance: The standard details procedures for evaluating a high heel's ability to withstand lateral (sideways) impacts, simulating real-world heavy blows that might occur during use.
- Test Apparatus: It describes the required lateral impact tester, including specifications for the pendulum device, striker head, and mounting trays. Precise dimensions and energy calibration protocols are outlined to ensure repeatable and reliable test results.
- Sampling and Conditioning: Instructions are provided for preparing test specimens, including mounting the heels in metal trays with alloy, to mimic actual usage conditions.
- Testing Procedure: The method involves incrementally increasing pendulum impacts on the heel until the point of failure, recording the number of blows and the corresponding energy at failure or after a set number of impacts.
- Result Reporting: Guidelines are established for documenting test results, including the number of blows to failure, type of failure, and any occurrences of invalid results such as chisel-type fracture.
Applications
EN ISO 19953:2004 is essential for a range of stakeholders in the footwear industry:
- Manufacturers of High Heels: To certify that their products meet durability requirements, especially for models using injection-moulded plastics with steel reinforcements.
- Quality Assurance and Testing Laboratories: Provides a reliable procedure for routine quality control and compliance checks against European and international standards.
- Product Designers: Offers valuable insights into materials and constructions that enhance heel resilience and consumer safety.
- Regulatory and Certification Bodies: Facilitates harmonized footwear safety assessments within the European market and internationally by referencing uniform test methods.
- Footwear Retailers and Brands: Enables informed product sourcing and marketing of high-quality, compliant ladies’ shoes.
Related Standards
For a comprehensive approach to footwear testing and safety, consider the following related standards:
- EN ISO 20344 - Personal protective equipment - Test methods for footwear
- ISO 19952 - Footwear - Test methods for heels - Determination of fatigue resistance
- ISO 20867 - Footwear - Test methods for finished footwear - Whole shoe flexing resistance
- EN ISO 17707 - Footwear - Test methods for outsoles - Flex resistance
EN ISO 19953:2004 significantly contributes to footwear quality and consumer confidence. By adhering to these standardized heel impact resistance tests, the industry can minimize failure risks, ensuring safer and more durable high-heeled footwear for end users.
