Overview
EN ISO 24267:2020 - Footwear - Determination of coefficient of friction for footwear and sole components - Test method (ISO 24267:2020) - specifies a laboratory method to determine the coefficient of friction (CoF) between footwear (and sole components) and flooring under conditions that simulate the walking step phase when slips are most likely. Adopted by CEN as EN ISO 24267:2020, the method covers most everyday footwear, outsole units, heel top pieces and sheet soling materials, but excludes PPE footwear and special-purpose footwear with spikes or metal studs.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Test principle: bring footwear/sample and floor into static contact under a specified vertical force, then move them horizontally at constant speed and record the horizontal (frictional) force to calculate the dynamic coefficient of friction.
- Apparatus & materials: uses the equipment and materials referenced in ISO 13287:2019 (test apparatus, last or mechanical foot, contaminants). Additional items include a 2 mm cellulosic insole for unit sole tests, means to secure soles to lasts, saw/sander for sample prep, and specific fixtures for top-piece and sheet-material tests.
- Sampling & conditioning: test at least two samples (right and left when possible). Condition specimens at 23 °C ± 2 °C and 50 % ± 5 % RH for a minimum of 24 h; timing and handling rules apply if specimens are removed prior to testing.
- Test modes: multiple modes cover low-heel footwear, unit soles, footwear with heel/forepart moulded in one piece (with/without full waist contact), top pieces (top lifts), and sheet soling materials. Specific procedures address attachment, positioning, and avoidance of separation that could invalidate results.
- Contaminants: common test conditions include dry, water, glycerol solution, and detergent solution (as per ISO 13287:2019).
- Reporting: report CoF values and any ageing/conditioning methods if worn or artificially aged samples are tested.
Applications
- Product development: compare outsole compounds, tread designs and top-piece materials for slip performance.
- Quality assurance: routine batch testing to monitor CoF and maintain product consistency.
- Comparative laboratory testing: benchmarking footwear or sole materials against competitors.
- Retail/procurement: verify slip performance claims for everyday footwear (non-PPE).
- Research: study interaction between footwear materials and different flooring/contaminant conditions.
Who should use this standard
- Footwear manufacturers and designers
- Accredited testing laboratories and QA teams
- Material suppliers (rubber, polymer, soling materials)
- Retailers and specifiers evaluating consumer slip performance
- Standards bodies and conformity assessors (for non-PPE footwear)
Related standards
- ISO 13287:2019 - referenced normative standard for apparatus and slip-resistance testing; consult ISO 13287 for detailed equipment specifications and complementary procedures.
Keywords: EN ISO 24267:2020, coefficient of friction, footwear testing, slip resistance, outsole testing, heel top pieces, sheet soling materials, ISO 13287.
