Footwear - Performance requirements for components for footwear - Uppers (ISO/TS 20952:2024)

This document establishes the performance requirements for upper components for footwear (not for the finished footwear), irrespective of the material, in order to assess the suitability for the end use. It also establishes the test methods to be used to evaluate the compliance with the requirements.
This document applies to uppers for all kinds of footwear as defined in Clause 4.
This document can be used as a reference by the footwear manufacturer and the supplier.

Schuhe - Anforderungen an das Gebrauchsverhalten von Schuhkomponenten - Obermaterialien (ISO/TS 20952:2024)

Chaussures - Exigences de performance pour les composants des chaussures - Tiges (ISO/TS 20952:2024)

Obutev - Zahtevane lastnosti za sestavne dele obutve - Zgornji del (ISO/TS 20952:2024)

General Information

Status
Not Published
Publication Date
16-Apr-2026
Technical Committee
CEN/TC 309 - Footwear
Current Stage
5060 - Closure of Vote - Formal Approval
Start Date
19-Feb-2026
Due Date
10-Feb-2027
Completion Date
19-Feb-2026

Overview

ISO/TS 20952:2024 (adopted as FprCEN ISO/TS 20952) defines performance requirements and test methods for footwear upper components (not the finished footwear), irrespective of material. Its purpose is to assess the suitability of uppers for their intended end use and to provide a clear reference for footwear manufacturers and component suppliers. The document covers classification of uppers by exposure (Classes A–D), essential and optional additional requirements, sampling and conditioning, and optional marking/labeling rules.

Key topics and technical requirements

  • Classification (Classes A–D): Uppers are grouped by exposure/use - Class A (slight: infants, fashion), B (medium: casual, school), C (high: sports, trekking), D (heavy: high-demand sports).
  • Essential vs Additional requirements: Essential requirements must be met for compliance; additional requirements are optional and should be agreed between supplier and manufacturer.
  • Core test methods (normative references):
    • ISO 17694 - Flex resistance (cycles to no visible damage; e.g., Class B/C/D higher cycle counts than Class A)
    • ISO 17696 - Tear strength (minimum average tear force values per class)
    • ISO 17700 - Colour fastness (staining, colour change for inside/outside surfaces)
    • ISO 17698 - Delamination resistance (dry/wet adhesion thresholds for leather, patent leather and other materials)
    • ISO 17693 - Lastability (resistance to damage during lasting)
    • ISO 17697 - Seam strength
    • ISO 17702 / ISO 17704 - Water resistance and abrasion
    • ISO 17699 - Water vapour permeability and absorption (WVP/WVA thresholds)
  • Quantified requirements: The specification includes numeric thresholds (e.g., tear force, flex-cycle counts, WVP ≥ 0.8 mg/cm2·h, penetration times for water resistance) and clearly defined test conditions and rounding rules.

Applications and practical value

  • Quality control and incoming inspection of upper components from suppliers.
  • Design validation and material selection during product development to meet intended use (casual, sport, heavy duty).
  • Supplier agreements: defining whether additional requirements (bondability, abrasion, lastability) are required for specific models.
  • Laboratory testing and certification: provides standardized methods to assess compliance and support claims.
  • Optional product marking and labelling guidance when uppers meet essential requirements.

Who should use this standard

  • Footwear manufacturers and brand product teams
  • Upper component suppliers and material converters
  • Testing laboratories and QA personnel
  • Procurement and specification engineers in footwear supply chains

Related standards

Key referenced standards include ISO 17693, ISO 17694, ISO 17696, ISO 17697, ISO 17698, ISO 17699, ISO 17700, ISO 17701, ISO 17702, ISO 17704, ISO 17706 and ISO 17709, plus EN 1392 and EN 15307 for adhesive/bond testing.

Keywords: ISO/TS 20952, footwear uppers, performance requirements, test methods, flex resistance, tear strength, colour fastness, delamination, water resistance, upper components.

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Frequently Asked Questions

FprCEN ISO/TS 20952 is a draft published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Footwear - Performance requirements for components for footwear - Uppers (ISO/TS 20952:2024)". This standard covers: This document establishes the performance requirements for upper components for footwear (not for the finished footwear), irrespective of the material, in order to assess the suitability for the end use. It also establishes the test methods to be used to evaluate the compliance with the requirements. This document applies to uppers for all kinds of footwear as defined in Clause 4. This document can be used as a reference by the footwear manufacturer and the supplier.

This document establishes the performance requirements for upper components for footwear (not for the finished footwear), irrespective of the material, in order to assess the suitability for the end use. It also establishes the test methods to be used to evaluate the compliance with the requirements. This document applies to uppers for all kinds of footwear as defined in Clause 4. This document can be used as a reference by the footwear manufacturer and the supplier.

FprCEN ISO/TS 20952 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 61.060 - Footwear. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.

FprCEN ISO/TS 20952 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.

Standards Content (Sample)


SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-februar-2026
Obutev - Zahtevane lastnosti za sestavne dele obutve - Zgornji del (ISO/TS
20952:2024)
Footwear - Performance requirements for components for footwear - Uppers (ISO/TS
20952:2024)
Schuhe - Anforderungen an das Gebrauchsverhalten von Schuhkomponenten -
Obermaterialien (ISO/TS 20952:2024)
Chaussures - Exigences de performance pour les composants des chaussures - Tiges
(ISO/TS 20952:2024)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: FprCEN ISO/TS 20952
ICS:
61.060 Obuvala Footwear
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

Technical
Specification
ISO/TS 20952
First edition
Footwear — Performance
2024-11
requirements for components for
footwear — Uppers
Chaussures — Exigences de performance pour les composants des
chaussures — Tiges
Reference number
ISO/TS 20952:2024(en) © ISO 2024

ISO/TS 20952:2024(en)
© ISO 2024
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: +41 22 749 01 11
Email: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii
ISO/TS 20952:2024(en)
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 2
4 Classification . 2
5 Requirements . 2
5.1 General .2
5.2 Performance requirements for uppers components for footwear class A .2
5.2.1 Essential requirements .2
5.2.2 Additional requirements .3
5.3 Performance requirements for uppers components for footwear class B, C and D .3
5.3.1 Essential requirements .3
5.3.2 Additional requirements .4
6 Marking and labelling . 5

iii
ISO/TS 20952:2024(en)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee
has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations,
governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely
with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types
of ISO document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent
rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a)
patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that
this may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at
www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 216, Footwear.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.

iv
Technical Specification ISO/TS 20952:2024(en)
Footwear — Performance requirements for components for
footwear — Uppers
1 Scope
This document establishes the performance requirements for upper components for footwear (not for the
finished footwear), irrespective of the material, in order to assess the suitability for the end use. It also
establishes the test methods to be used to evaluate the compliance with the requirements.
This document applies to uppers for all kinds of footwear as defined in Clause 4.
This document can be used as a reference by the footwear manufacturer and the supplier.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes
requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references,
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 17693, Footwear — Test methods for uppers — Resistance to damage on lasting
ISO 17694, Footwear — Test methods for uppers and lining — Flex resistance
ISO 17696, Footwear — Test methods for uppers, linings and insocks — Tear strength
ISO 17697, Footwear — Test methods for uppers, lining and insocks — Seam strength
ISO 17698, Footwear — Test methods for uppers — Delamination resistance
ISO 17699, Footwear — Test methods for uppers and lining — Water vapour permeability and absorption
ISO 17700, Footwear — Test methods for upper components and insocks — Colour fastness to rubbing and
bleeding
ISO 17701, Footwear — Test methods for uppers, lining and insocks — Colour migration
ISO 17702, Footwear — Test methods for uppers — Wate
...

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