SIST EN 12773:2000

Overview

EN 12773:1999 is a European (CEN) standard that specifies a test method for determining the needle tear strength of footwear outsoles, applicable irrespective of the material. The standard establishes a repeatable laboratory procedure to measure how well an outsole resists the initiation and propagation of a tear created by a pointed/needle-like action. EN 12773:1999 was adopted into national standards (e.g., SIST EN 12773:2000) and is used across the footwear industry for consistent outsole testing.

Key Topics

The standard addresses the essential elements required to perform and report needle tear testing for outsoles, including:

• Scope and applicability - clarifies that the method applies to all outsole materials (rubber, thermoplastic, composites, etc.).
• Apparatus and fixtures - specification of the testing equipment and needle-type fixture needed to reproduce the test reliably.
• Specimen preparation - guidance on sampling, conditioning and cutting of outsole specimens before testing.
• Test procedure - defined steps for conducting the needle tear measurement to ensure repeatability and comparability.
• Results and reporting - how to calculate, record and present needle tear strength results and any relevant observations.
• Quality and reproducibility considerations - requirements to minimize variability (conditioning, number of specimens, environmental controls).

(EN 12773 provides the method; do not assume specific numerical limits or acceptance criteria - those are set by manufacturers, purchasers or other normative documents.)

Applications

EN 12773:1999 is directly useful for:

• Footwear manufacturers conducting quality control on outsoles during production.
• Material suppliers evaluating tear resistance of outsole compounds and formulations.
• Laboratories and test houses offering outsourced footwear testing services.
• R&D teams comparing materials or outsole designs for durability and failure modes.
• Procurement and compliance professionals specifying performance requirements in contracts and supplier agreements.

Practical uses include production acceptance testing, material selection, failure analysis, and benchmarking of outsole durability.

Related Standards

EN 12773 complements other footwear test standards covering abrasion, tensile and flex tests, and general footwear performance criteria. It is part of the broader European/CEN framework for footwear testing and should be used together with product-specific standards and purchaser requirements when defining pass/fail limits.

Keywords: EN 12773, needle tear strength, footwear outsoles, outsole testing, CEN standard, footwear testing standard.