Overview
EN ISO 2418:2023 - published by CEN and identical to ISO 2418:2023 - specifies how to locate, label and prepare laboratory specimens and test pieces from leather for chemical, physical, mechanical and colour‑fastness testing. It applies to all mammalian leathers regardless of tanning method and replaces the 2017 edition. The standard also defines the design of press knives used to cut test pieces and gives rules for storage and identification of official specimens.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and applicability
- Applies only to leather derived from mammals; excludes bird, fish, reptile leathers and furs.
- Definitions
- Clear distinction between specimen (portion of hide/skin) and test piece (cut shape used in a specific test).
- Segmentation and specimen positioning
- Leather is segmented into bend/butt, shoulder and belly; specimen locations are defined relative to backbone and other landmarks.
- When segment identity is unclear (partial hides, unclear sides), the laboratory is not responsible for incorrect segmentation assigned by the client.
- Selection criteria
- Specimens must be taken from areas free of obvious defects (scratches, flay cuts) and chosen to permit concurrent physical, chemical and colour‑fastness tests where practical.
- Positioning for different test types
- Specific guidance on where to take specimens for physical/mechanical tests vs chemical tests vs colour‑fastness testing (see clauses 4.1.3–4.1.5).
- Identification and labelling
- Methods for marking backbone direction and identifying official test specimens for traceability.
- Press knife design and test piece preparation
- Requirements for press knives used to cut repeatable test pieces and for the preparation procedures of those pieces.
- Storage
- Guidance for storing laboratory leather pieces and prepared specimens to preserve test integrity.
Practical applications
- Ensures consistent, reproducible sampling across laboratories for:
- Tensile and mechanical testing (e.g., ISO tensile methods)
- Chemical analyses (residues, composition)
- Colour and fastness testing
- Supports quality control in tanneries, leather goods manufacturers, testing laboratories and certification bodies.
- Useful for dispute resolution and arbitration because it standardizes specimen location, labelling and identification to reduce variability between labs.
Who should use this standard
- Leather testing laboratories and QA/QC teams
- Tanneries and hide processors
- Footwear, upholstery and garment manufacturers using leather components
- Regulatory and conformity assessment organizations
- Consultants and auditors involved in leather material specification and acceptance
Related standards
- ISO 15115 - Leather - Vocabulary (referenced for terminology)
- Other ISO leather test methods (e.g., tensile testing standards such as ISO 3376) are used in conjunction with EN ISO 2418:2023 for extracting and preparing test pieces.
