Overview
EN ISO 22700:2019 - Leather: Measuring the colour and colour difference of finished leather (ISO 22700:2019) defines a standardized, instrument‑based method for colour measurement and colour‑difference evaluation of finished leather. The standard adapts general colorimetry principles to leather surfaces and specifies key measurement conditions used across the leather industry, including the mandatory use of the D65 light source and the CIEDE2000 colour‑difference formula.
Key Topics
- Standard illuminant: D65 as the preferred light source; D65 (10°) specified for colour matching, daylight simulator definition and metamerism reference.
- Colour-difference formula: Use of CIEDE2000 for total colour‑difference calculations.
- Instrumentation & spectral range: Reflectance colour‑measuring instruments (colorimeters and spectrophotometers) covering 360–780 nm (minimum 400–700 nm). Spectrophotometer spectral step width and optical bandwidth ≤ 20 nm (preferably 5 or 10 nm).
- Tristimulus and colour spaces: Measurement and reporting of tristimulus values (X, Y, Z) and conversion to CIE 1976 Lab*, C* and h coordinates.
- Geometry & specularity: Defined measurement geometries (e.g., d/0°, 0/d, 0°/45°, 45°/0°) with tolerances; handling of specular reflectance-included (SPINC) or excluded (SPEX).
- Standardization & verification: Instrument standardization (white/black tiles), verification standards and reporting of instrument setup and measurement conditions.
- Sampling & procedure: Requirements for sample presentation, sampling, conditioning (see ISO 2419) and repeatable measurement procedure for finished leather.
- Reporting: Mandatory metadata to accompany results - illuminant, observer angle, geometry, area of view and measurement conditions.
Applications
EN ISO 22700:2019 is essential for:
- Leather manufacturers and tanneries performing quality control and batch acceptance.
- Colourists and laboratory technicians conducting colour matching for footwear, upholstery, automotive and fashion leather.
- Test laboratories reporting objective colour differences for specifications, contracts and conformity assessment.
- Suppliers of colour‑measurement devices and daylight simulators ensuring compliance with leather‑industry conditions.
Practical benefits include improved consistency in colour communication, reliable pass/fail decisions based on perceptual tolerances, and standardized metamerism analysis.
Related Standards
- ISO 2419 - Leather: sample preparation and conditioning
- ISO 11664‑3, ‑4, ‑6 (Colorimetry: tristimulus values, CIE Lab*, CIEDE2000)
- EN 15987 - Leather terminology and key definitions
Keywords: EN ISO 22700:2019, leather colour measurement, CIEDE2000, D65, spectrophotometer, colorimetry, finished leather, metamerism, Lab*.
