SIST EN 12772:2000

Overview

EN 12772:1999 (CEN) - Footwear: Test methods for outsoles - Dimensional stability - specifies a standardized method for determining linear shrinkage after heating of test specimens prepared from footwear outsoles. The document provides a repeatable laboratory procedure to quantify how outsole materials change in length when exposed to heat, enabling comparable results across manufacturers and testing laboratories.

Key topics

• Scope and purpose: defines the objective of measuring linear shrinkage of outsole specimens after heating to assess dimensional stability.
• Specimen preparation: requirements for preparing representative outsole test pieces from production or materials (cutting, orientation and handling).
• Test procedure: a controlled heating and measurement sequence to determine linear shrinkage; includes measurement and calculation principles to express shrinkage as a percentage or linear change.
• Result expression and reporting: standardized ways to record and report measured shrinkage, ensuring results are comparable between labs.
• Quality and repeatability: procedural elements that support reproducible results (conditioning, measurement accuracy and description of specimen origin). Note: EN 12772 specifies the method but does not prescribe product acceptance limits - these are defined by manufacturers, clients or regulatory requirements.

Applications

• Footwear manufacturers and outsole producers use EN 12772 to:
  • Verify material consistency and batch-to-batch dimensional stability.
  • Control manufacturing processes to reduce fit and assembly issues caused by shrinkage.
  • Support quality assurance and supplier qualification activities.
• Test laboratories and R&D teams apply the method to:
  • Compare outsole materials (rubber, thermoplastics, composites) under thermal stress.
  • Inform design choices where thermal exposure (e.g., hot climatic conditions, molding processes) may affect fit or function.
• Procurement, compliance and specification writers rely on this standard when defining material or product performance criteria in contracts and technical specifications.

Related standards

• EN 12772 complements other footwear and material testing standards that address mechanical performance, abrasion, slip resistance and material characterization. Use EN 12772 alongside other CEN footwear test methods for comprehensive outsole evaluation.

Keywords: EN 12772, footwear outsole dimensional stability, outsole shrinkage test, linear shrinkage, CEN standard, standard test method, footwear testing.