Overview
SIST EN ISO 17701:2016 defines standardized test methods for evaluating the tendency of materials used in footwear uppers, linings, and insocks to cause colour migration. Colour migration refers to the unwanted transfer or bleeding of colour from one material to another when stored together, often intensified by the use of adhesives or close contact in production and assembly processes. This internationally harmonized standard helps ensure the appearance and quality of finished footwear by minimizing risks of unsightly discolouration in commercial products.
Key Topics
- Test Methods for Colour Migration: Specifies practical laboratory procedures for assessing how likely it is for one material (such as an upper or lining) to stain or discolour another through direct contact or the use of adhesives.
- Applicability: The methods cover all types of materials used in shoe uppers, linings, and insocks that are bonded or placed in close contact, including those laminated or joined with adhesives.
- Testing Procedures: Includes detailed requirements for sample preparation, conditioning, test apparatus, and environmental settings to simulate real-world storage and usage scenarios.
- Assessment and Reporting: Colour changes or transfer of staining are measured with calibrated instruments and visually compared against grey scales, and all results, materials, and procedures must be thoroughly documented in test reports.
- Standardization and Interoperability: Replaces previous regional standards (notably EN 13517:2001) to promote a common method recognized throughout Europe and globally, facilitating quality and compliance in footwear manufacturing.
Applications
- Footwear Manufacturing: Useful for commercial shoe manufacturers and suppliers to assess the risk of colour migration between materials before production. By applying this test, brands can avoid costly recalls or product failures due to discolouration.
- Quality Control and R&D: Laboratories and quality assurance teams utilize this standard to ensure new materials and adhesives meet durability requirements and do not cause colour transfer under heat or pressure typical in warehouse or retail conditions.
- Material Selection: Assists designers and sourcing specialists in choosing compatible material combinations that maintain colour integrity when combined or assembled.
- Regulatory Compliance: Footwear companies meet market requirements and demonstrate due diligence by adhering to internationally recognized methods for testing colour fastness and migration.
- Supplier Evaluation: Enables benchmarking and validation of suppliers’ materials, guaranteeing they conform to the required standards for colour migration in finished products.
Related Standards
For effective implementation of SIST EN ISO 17701:2016, the following standards and guidelines are referenced:
- ISO 105-A01: Textiles - General principles of testing for colour fastness
- ISO 105-A02: Textiles - Grey scale for assessing change in colour
- ISO 105-A03: Textiles - Grey scale for assessing staining
- ISO 18454: Footwear - Standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing
- ISO 19952: Footwear - Vocabulary
- CIE 15: Colorimetry (methods for measuring and quantifying colour)
Practical Value
By standardizing how colour migration is tested in footwear components, SIST EN ISO 17701:2016 helps manufacturers deliver consistently high-quality, visually appealing footwear products. It reduces risks related to customer dissatisfaction and costly product returns while ensuring compliance with international best practices in the footwear industry. Implementing this standard is essential for maintaining brand reputation and meeting both supplier and retailer quality requirements in global markets.
