EN 13515:2001

Footwear - Test methods for uppers and lining - Water vapour permeability and absorption

This standard specifies two test methods for assessing, respectively, the water vapour permeability and the water vapour absorption of uppers or complete upper assembly irrespective of the material, in order to assess the suitability for the end use.

Schuhe - Prüfverfahren für Schäfte und Futter - Wasserdampfdurchlässigkeit und Wasserdampfaufnahme

Dieser Norm-Entwurf legt für Schäfte oder Schaftzusammenstellungen zwei Prüfverfahren zur Bestimmung der Wasserdampfdurchlässigkeit (Verfahren A) bzw. der Wasserdampfaufnahme (Verfahren B) unabhänging vom Werkstoff fest, um ihre Eignung für den Gebrauch zu beurteilen.

Chaussures - Méthodes d'essai des tiges et des doublures - Perméabilité à la vapeur d'eau et absorption de la vapeur d'eau

La présente norme spécifie deux méthodes d'essai pour évaluer respectivement la perméabilité à la vapeur d'eau et l'absorption de la vapeur d'eau des tiges ou des assemblages complet de tige, quel que soit le matériau qui les compose, afin d'évaluer s'ils conviennent à l'utilisation finale.

Footwear - Test methods for uppers and lining - Water vapour permeability and absorption

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 11-Dec-2001
• Withdrawal Date: 29-Jun-2002
• ICS: 61.060 - Footwear
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 309 - Footwear
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 309/WG 1 - Minimum performance requirements and test methods for components for footwear
• Current Stage: 9060 - Closure of 2 Year Review Enquiry - Review Enquiry
• Start Date: 02-Sep-2017
• Completion Date: 02-Sep-2017
• Ref Project: SIST EN 13515:2004 - Footwear - Test methods for uppers and lining - Water vapour permeability and absorption

Relations

• Revised: prEN ISO 17699 - Footwear - Test methods for uppers and lining - Water vapour permeability and absorption (ISO/DIS 17699:2008)
• Effective Date: 18-Jan-2023

Overview

EN 13515:2001 is a European standard developed by CEN that outlines test methods specifically designed for footwear uppers and linings. It establishes procedures for measuring two key properties: water vapour permeability and water vapour absorption. These parameters are critical for assessing the comfort and suitability of footwear materials by determining how well they allow moisture vapor to pass through or absorb moisture. This helps manufacturers ensure their products meet quality and user comfort expectations. The standard applies to all types of uppers and upper assemblies, irrespective of the materials used.

Key Topics

• Water Vapour Permeability
  EN 13515 defines water vapour permeability as the amount of water vapour a material transmits through its structure, expressed as mass per area per hour. The test involves clamping a circular specimen on an open-ended test pot containing a desiccant, with conditioned air circulated over the material. The mass change over time provides permeability values, essential for evaluating breathability in footwear uppers.

• Water Vapour Absorption
  This measures the amount of water vapour absorbed by the footwear material within a specified time. The test procedure clamps the specimen over a pot containing distilled water and determines the increase in specimen mass after exposure. This metric indicates the material’s hygroscopic properties, critical for managing moisture inside footwear.

• Testing Equipment and Procedures
  The standard specifies detailed apparatus requirements, including cylindrical test pots, silica gel desiccants, analytical balances, and controlled atmosphere conditions. Conditioning of test specimens follows prescribed environments to ensure consistency. The standard references EN 12222 for conditioning and EN 13512 for flex resistance cycles prior to testing.

• Sampling
  Test specimens are cut to specific sizes and should avoid seams or perforations to ensure uniformity. Samples may be taken from various material positions to represent the full product’s properties. The standard also supports testing composite assemblies of components to simulate actual footwear construction.

Applications

• Footwear Manufacturing
  EN 13515:2001 supports quality control during the development and production of footwear uppers and linings. Testing water vapour permeability helps brands design breathable products that enhance wearer comfort, particularly important in sports, safety, and occupational footwear.

• Material Selection and Research
  Material scientists and designers use these test methods to evaluate new textiles, leathers, and composite materials for footwear applications. The data informs decisions about material suitability for different end-use conditions.

• Product Certification and Compliance
  The standard assists manufacturers and testing laboratories in certifying footwear products against European market requirements. Consistent application supports harmonized quality standards across member countries.

• Performance Optimization
  By understanding moisture management properties through standardized tests, footwear engineers can optimize designs to reduce sweat accumulation and improve foot health.

Related Standards

• EN 12222 – Standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing footwear and components, referenced for specimen conditioning prior to tests.
• EN 13512 – Test methods for uppers and lining - Flex resistance, referenced for preconditioning cycles.
• EN ISO 3696 – Specifies water quality for analytical use, ensuring test accuracy with distilled or deionized water.
• Standards on Safety and Occupational Footwear – Incorporate moisture management parameters in comprehensive footwear testing.

Conclusion

EN 13515:2001 is an essential standard for assessing water vapour transmission and moisture absorption in footwear uppers and linings. Implementing its test methods enables manufacturers to validate product performance, ensuring consumer comfort and durability. It plays a vital role in advancing footwear design, promoting breathability, and meeting regulatory compliance across Europe. For footwear professionals, understanding and applying EN 13515 contributes significantly to product excellence and market competitiveness.

Standards Content (Sample)

2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.Footwear - Test methods for uppers and lining - Water vapour permeability and absorptionSchuhe - Prüfverfahren für Schäfte und Futter - Wasserdampfdurchlässigkeit und WasserdampfaufnahmeChaussures - Méthodes d'essai des tiges et des doublures - Perméabilité a la vapeur d'eau et absorption de la vapeur d'eauFootwear - Test methods for uppers and lining - Water vapour permeability and absorption61.060ObuvalaFootwearICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 13515:2001SIST EN 13515:2004en01-januar-2004SIST EN 13515:2004SLOVENSKI
STANDARD
EUROPEAN STANDARDNORME EUROPÉENNEEUROPÄISCHE NORMEN 13515December 2001ICS 61.060English versionFootwear - Test methods for uppers and lining - Water vapourpermeability and absorptionChaussures - Méthodes d'essai des tiges et des doublures- Perméabilité à la vapeur d'eau et absorption de la vapeurd'eauSchuhe - Prüfverfahren für Obermaterialien und Futter -Wasserdampfdurchlässigkeit und WasserdampfaufnahmeThis European Standard was approved by CEN on 22 November 2001.CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this EuropeanStandard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such nationalstandards may be obtained on application to the Management Centre or to any CEN member.This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translationunder the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the Management Centre has the same status as the officialversions.CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATIONCOMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATIONEUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNGManagement Centre: rue de Stassart, 36
B-1050 Brussels© 2001 CENAll rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reservedworldwide for CEN national Members.Ref. No. EN 13515:2001 ESIST EN 13515:2004
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