Overview - ISO 17700:2019 (Footwear colour fastness to rubbing and bleeding)
ISO 17700:2019 specifies standardized test methods for assessing colour fastness of footwear upper components, linings and insocks when subjected to rubbing (dry or wet) and for evaluating the likelihood of colour bleeding. The document defines three rubbing methods (A, B and C) and one bleeding method (D), and applies irrespective of material type; method D also covers sewing threads and shoelaces.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Four defined methods
- Method A: to-and-fro square rubbing (finger fastness machine) - uses square wool felt pads and controlled downward forces (e.g., 4.9 N or 9.8 N) and cyclic motion.
- Method B: rotative rub test - circular wool felt pads rotated at prescribed speed and load options (e.g., 24.5 N or 7.1 N); includes wet, perspiration and solvent variations.
- Method C: to-and-fro circular rubbing finger - uses a cylindrical rubbing finger over a 100 mm track with specified downward force (e.g., 9 N) and cotton rubbing cloth.
- Method D: colour fastness to bleeding - assesses likelihood of dye bleeding; applicable also to threads and shoelaces.
- Apparatus and materials: machine geometries, pad dimensions, felt and cotton cloth specifications, synthetic alkaline perspiration solution composition, distilled/deionized water, white spirit and organic solvents where applicable.
- Sampling, conditioning and procedure: specimen preparation and conditioning in standard atmospheres, controlled cycle counts, loads and assessment steps are specified.
- Assessment and reporting: change-in-colour and staining are rated using grey scales (ISO 105‑A02 and ISO 105‑A03); test report items and conditions are defined.
Practical applications - who uses ISO 17700:2019
- Footwear manufacturers and component suppliers - to verify colourfastness of uppers, linings, insocks, threads and shoelaces during product development and quality control.
- Independent testing laboratories and conformity assessment bodies - to produce comparable, accredited test results for market access and supplier contracts.
- Material formulators and dye houses - to evaluate dye performance under mechanical stress, perspiration and solvent exposure.
- Retailers and specifiers - to set procurement specifications and ensure consumer safety/quality claims.
Related standards
- ISO 105‑A01, A02, A03 (colour fastness assessment principles and grey scales)
- ISO 105‑F09, F10 (rubbing cloth and adjacent fabric specifications)
- ISO 3696 (water for laboratory use), ISO 4045 (leather pH), ISO 18454 (conditioning atmospheres)
ISO 17700:2019 is essential for consistent, repeatable footwear testing, enabling reliable assessment of rubbing and bleeding performance across materials and suppliers.
Open preview (PDF)Footwear — Test methods for upper components and insocks — Colour fastness to rubbing and bleeding