EN ISO 19953:2004

Footwear - Test methods for heels - Resistance to lateral impact (ISO 19953:2004)

ISO 19953:2004 specifies a test method for determining the impact strength of the heels of ladies' shoes.
The result provides an assessment of the liability to failure under the occasional heavy blows received during wear.
While the test method is applicable to all types of high heels, of whatever construction, it is particularly useful for injection-moulded plastic heels which incorporate a steel dowel re-inforcement, giving information on the suitability of the dowel's hardness or softness. Heels which by virtue of their shape have a high lateral impact resistance do not normally required to be tested in this way.

Schuhe - Prüfverfahren für Absätze - Widerstand gegen seitlichen Schlag (ISO 19953:2004)

Dieser Europäische Norm legt ein Prüfverfahren zur Bestimmung der Stoßfestigkeit von Absätzen von Damen-schuhen fest. Das Ergebnis dient zur Beurteilung der Ausfallneigung bei gelegentlichen starken Stößen während des Tragens.
ANMERKUNG   Obwohl das Prüfverfahren auf alle Arten von hohen Absätzen jeglicher Konstruktion anwendbar ist, ist es insbesondere vorteilhaft für Spritzguss-Kunststoffabsätze mit Stahldübelverstärkung, weil es Angaben zur Eignung der Härte oder Weichheit des Dübels liefert. Absätze, die auf Grund ihrer Form eine hohe Festigkeit gegenüber seitlichem Schlag besitzen, werden gewöhnlich nicht auf diese Weise geprüft.

Chaussures - Méthodes d'essai relatives aux talons - Résistance aux chocs latéraux (ISO 19953:2004)

L'ISO 19953:2004 spécifie une méthode d'essai pour déterminer la résistance aux chocs des talons de chaussures pour femmes.
Les résultats fournissent une évaluation de la possibilité de rupture aux chocs importants reçus occasionnellement durant le porté.
La méthode d'essai est applicable à tous les types de talons hauts, quelle que soit leur construction, mais elle est particulièrement utile pour les talons en plastique moulés par injection, qui incorporent un goujon de renfort en acier, en donnant des informations sur le caractère approprié de la dureté ou de la souplesse des goujons. Il n'est normalement pas nécessaire de soumettre à cet essai les talons dont la forme est telle qu'ils ont une résistance élevée aux chocs latéraux.

Footwear - Test methods for heels - Resistance to lateral impact (ISO 19953:2004)

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 14-Jul-2004
• Withdrawal Date: 14-Jan-2005
• 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: 9093 - Decision to confirm - Review Enquiry
• Start Date: 21-Oct-2008
• Completion Date: 21-Oct-2008
• Ref Project: SIST EN ISO 19953:2004 - Footwear - Test methods for heels - Resistance to lateral impact (ISO 19953:2004)

Overview

EN ISO 19953:2004-Footwear - Test methods for heels - Resistance to lateral impact-is a European Standard developed by CEN in collaboration with ISO/TC 216. It specifies a standardized test method for evaluating the lateral impact strength of ladies’ shoe heels. This test simulates the occasional heavy lateral blows a heel may encounter during normal wear to assess its liability to failure.

The standard applies to all types of high heels regardless of their construction but is particularly relevant for injection-moulded plastic heels reinforced with steel dowels. It provides valuable data on the resilience of these dowels, helping manufacturers optimize their hardness or softness for durability. Heels with inherently high lateral impact resistance due to their shape may not require this testing.

Key Topics

• Scope and Purpose

  • Evaluates impact strength of ladies’ shoe heels under lateral impact
  • Assesses heel failure risk during typical heavy sideways blows
  • Ensures product safety and reliability in footwear manufacturing

• Test Apparatus

  • Lateral impact tester consisting of a pendulum with a steel bob and striker head
  • Metal mounting trays filled with a specific metal alloy (melting point 100–150 °C) to secure the heel
  • Energy scale calibrated in increments of 0.68 Joules up to a maximum of 18.3 Joules

• Test Methodology

  • Heels are mounted vertically in the metal trays and positioned on the tester
  • The pendulum delivers increasing energy blows laterally to the heel stem
  • Testing continues until heel failure (breakage or bending causing pendulum jamming) or max energy is reached
  • Results record number of blows until failure and energy level of final impact

• Result Interpretation

  • Valid failures include bending or breakage from impact energy
  • Fracture or cracking caused by chisel-like striker effect (not impact) is noted separately
  • Provides insight into heel durability under real-life lateral stress

• Reporting

  • Test results per heel including blows to failure and failure type
  • Detailed sample description (style, color, material)
  • Date and test method reference
  • Any deviations from the standardized procedure

Applications

• Footwear Manufacturing
  Designers and manufacturers use the EN ISO 19953 test to optimize the structural integrity of high heels, particularly in injection-moulded plastic heels with steel dowels. This ensures product safety and consumer satisfaction.

• Quality Control
  Regular lateral impact testing helps detect weak points in heel construction before commercial release, reducing returns and warranty claims.

• Material Development
  Understanding dowel hardness or softness impact assists material scientists in selecting or developing reinforcement materials that balance comfort and durability.

• Regulatory Compliance
  Meeting EN ISO 19953 requirements demonstrates adherence to European footwear safety standards, supporting market access and consumer trust.

Related Standards

• ISO 20344 - Footwear - Test methods for footwear
  Provides additional mechanical and physical test procedures applicable to the evaluation of footwear performance.

• ISO 22523 - Footwear - Sampling procedure for inspection
  Outlines statistical sampling methods relevant to preparing footwear specimens for testing.

• EN ISO 17475 - Footwear - Disposable protective footwear
  Covers testing methods for protective footwear where impact resistance is critical.

• ISO 19972 - Footwear - Test methods for materials
  Details various tests that can complement heel impact strength assessment by examining constituent materials.

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Keywords: EN ISO 19953, footwear testing, heel impact resistance, lateral impact test, ladies’ shoes, injection-moulded heels, steel dowel reinforcement, footwear quality control, shoe durability testing, European footwear standards.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-oktober-2004
Footwear - Test methods for heels - Resistance to lateral impact (ISO 19953:2004)
Footwear - Test methods for heels - Resistance to lateral impact (ISO 19953:2004)
Schuhe - Prüfverfahren für Absätze - Widerstand gegen seitlichen Schlag (ISO
19953:2004)
Chaussures - Méthodes d'essai relatives aux talons - Résistance aux chocs latéraux
(ISO 19953:2004)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN ISO 19953:2004
ICS:
61.060 Obuvala Footwear
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN ISO 19953
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
July 2004
ICS 61.060
English version
Footwear - Test methods for heels - Resistance to lateral impact
(ISO 19953:2004)
Chaussures - Méthodes d'essai relatives aux talons - Schuhe - Prüfverfahren für Absätze - Widerstand gegen
Résistance aux chocs latéraux (ISO 19953:2004) seitlichen Schlag (ISO 19953:2004)
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 10 December 2003.
CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European
Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the Central Secretariat or to any CEN member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the Central Secretariat has the same status as the official
versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia,
Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
Management Centre: rue de Stassart, 36  B-1050 Brussels
© 2004 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN ISO 19953:2004: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents
page
Foreword.3
1 Scope.4
2 Apparatus and material.4
2.1 General.4
2.2 Lateral impact tester.4
2.3 Metal mounting trays.6
2.4 Metal alloy.6
3 Sampling and conditioning.6
4 Test method.6
4.1 Principle.6
4.2 Procedure.7
5 Expression of results.7
6 Test report.7

Foreword
This document (EN ISO 19953:2004) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN /TC 309, "Footwear", the
secretariat of which is held by AENOR, in collaboration with ISO/TC 216 "Footwear".
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an identical text or
by endorsement, at the latest by January 2005, and conflicting national standards shall be withdrawn at the latest
by January 2005.
According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following
countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark,
Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta,
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
1 Scope
This European Standard specifies a test method for determining the impact strength of the heels of ladies’ shoes.
The result provides an assessment of the liability to failure under the occasional heavy blows received during wear.
NOTE While the test method is applicable to all types of high heels, of whatever construction, it is particularly useful for
injection-moulded pl
...