Overview
EN ISO 7979:2025 - Leather: Tests for colour fastness to hydroalcoholic mixtures specifies laboratory methods to assess the resistance of leather surfaces to hydroalcoholic mixtures (alcohol + water-based solutions). Prepared by IULTCS in collaboration with CEN/TC 289 and published as a European Standard, it is applicable to all kinds of leather and addresses exposures typical of hydroalcoholic disinfectants and cleaning solutions.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and purpose: Determines surface fastness of leather when exposed to hydroalcoholic test media.
- Two principal test methods:
- Method 1 - Surface wetting: fabric wetted with the test medium applied to the leather surface.
- Method 2 - Linear rubbing/abrasion: wool felt or cotton fabric soaked in test medium used in a controlled rubbing test (procedures A and B).
- Evaluation: Visual and, if required, instrumental inspection using standardized grey scales for change in colour (ISO 105-A02) and staining (ISO 105-A03). Annex includes a visual evaluation scheme.
- Conditioning and atmosphere: Specimens conditioned per ISO 2419 before testing.
- Equipment and materials: distilled water (ISO 3696), pipettes, Petri dishes, ISO 105-F09 cotton cloth, ISO 11640 wool felt, sodium lauryl ether sulfate cleaning agent (0.5 %), grey scales, polyurethane foam, heating cabinet with air circulation, glass plates, and specified chemicals (e.g., benzalkonium chloride, ethanol, 2‑propanol, glycerine).
- Test media: Standard and application-specific hydroalcoholic mixtures are defined and agreed between supplier and customer (e.g., an alcohol‑based medium such as 70% ethanol is indicated).
Applications and who should use it
- Leather tanners and finishers: to validate leather treatments and finishes against alcohol-based cleaners or disinfectants.
- Manufacturers of leather goods: footwear, upholstery, automotive interiors, garments and accessories to ensure product durability in environments where hydroalcoholic products are used.
- Quality control and testing laboratories: routine and type-testing to provide objective fastness data.
- Specifiers and procurement: to include reliable acceptance criteria in contracts and technical specifications.
- Healthcare and institutional suppliers: to assess leather surfaces that may be regularly exposed to sanitizing solutions.
Related standards
Key referenced standards for test practice and evaluation:
EN ISO 7979:2025 helps organizations produce, test and specify leather that retains appearance and performance when exposed to hydroalcoholic mixtures - a growing concern where alcohol-based disinfectants are widely used.
