SIST-TS CEN ISO/TS 20939:2026

Footwear - Performance requirements for components for footwear - Outsoles (ISO/TS 20939:2024)

This document establishes the performance requirements for outsole components for footwear, 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 outsoles for all kinds of footwear as defined in Table 1.
This document can be used as a reference by the footwear manufacturer and the supplier.

Schuhe - Anforderungen an das Gebrauchsverhalten von Schuhkomponenten - Laufsohlen (ISO/TS 20939:2024)

Dieses Dokument legt die Anforderungen an das Gebrauchsverhalten von Laufsohlenkomponenten für Schuhe fest, um die Eignung für die Endanwendung zu beurteilen. Es legt auch die Prüfverfahren fest, mit denen die Anforderungen bewertet werden.
Dieses Dokument ist anwendbar für Laufsohlen für alle Arten von Schuhen, wie in Tabelle 1 definiert.
Dieses Dokument kann vom Schuhhersteller und vom Lieferanten als Referenz verwendet werden.

Chaussures - Exigences de performance pour les composants des chaussures - Semelles d'usure (ISO/TS 20939:2024)

Obutev - Zahtevane lastnosti za sestavne dele obutve - Zunanji podplati (ISO/TS 20939:2024)

Ta dokument določa zahteve glede zmogljivosti za podplate (outsole) obutve, da se oceni primernost za končno uporabo. Prav tako določa preskusne metode, ki se uporabljajo za ocenjevanje skladnosti z zahtevami.
Ta dokument se uporablja za podplate vseh vrst obutve, kot je opredeljeno v Tabeli 1.
Ta dokument lahko kot referenco uporabljata proizvajalec obutve in dobavitelj.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Public Enquiry End Date: 11-Feb-2026
• Publication Date: 12-Apr-2026
• ICS: 61.060 - Footwear
• Technical Committee: I13 - Imaginarni 13
• Current Stage: 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 03-Apr-2026
• Due Date: 08-Jun-2026
• Completion Date: 13-Apr-2026
• Ref Project: CEN ISO/TS 20939:2026 - Footwear - Performance requirements for components for footwear - Outsoles (ISO/TS 20939:2024)

Overview

SIST-TS CEN ISO/TS 20939:2026 establishes comprehensive performance requirements for outsole components used in all types of footwear. Developed by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) and mirroring the ISO/TS 20939:2024 international specification, this standard helps manufacturers and suppliers assess outsole suitability for various end uses. It also specifies standardized test methods for evaluating compliance, thus supporting consistency, durability, and safety in the production of footwear outsoles.

Key Topics

• Scope and Classification: Applies to outsoles for all categories of footwear, from infant and indoor shoes to heavy-duty trekking and work shoes. The classification is based on exposure and end-use, ensuring requirements are fit for purpose across different footwear classes.
• Performance Requirements: Distinguishes between essential and additional requirements. Essential requirements must be universally fulfilled, while additional ones can be specified by agreement between suppliers and manufacturers.
• Test Methods: Mandates the use of ISO-specified test methods for evaluating properties such as flex resistance, abrasion, tear strength, dimensional stability, slip resistance, and more.
• Marking and Labelling: Provides optional guidelines for marking and labelling compliant outsoles, including details about manufacturer identity, intended class, and reference to the standard.

Applications

The implementation of SIST-TS CEN ISO/TS 20939:2026 is valuable across the footwear supply chain:

• Footwear Manufacturers: Ensures that outsole components consistently meet rigorous international performance standards, supporting product quality, reliability, and consumer confidence.
• Component Suppliers: Provides clear technical criteria for developing and testing outsole materials, facilitating alignment with client specifications and efficient supply management.
• Quality Assurance: Enables objective evaluation and verification of outsole performance characteristics, promoting standardization in production and testing processes.
• Product Development: Assists R&D teams in the selection and testing of outsole materials and designs for targeted footwear segments, from fashion to outdoor and safety footwear.
• Market Compliance: Supports access to global markets by aligning with widely recognized ISO and CEN standards, and by providing documentary evidence of compliance where statutory or contractual standards apply.

By defining test methods for key properties like flex resistance, abrasion resistance, tensile strength, elongation, delamination, and slip resistance, this standard enables the robust evaluation of outsoles according to their intended end-use.

Related Standards

SIST-TS CEN ISO/TS 20939:2026 references several related ISO testing and vocabulary documents essential for footwear outsoles, including:

• ISO 17707 - Test methods for outsoles - Flex resistance
• ISO 17708 - Upper sole adhesion test methods
• ISO 17709 - Sampling, preparation, and conditioning for footwear tests
• ISO 20871 - Outsole abrasion resistance
• ISO 20872, ISO 20873, ISO 20874, ISO 20875 - Tear strength, dimensional stability, needle/split tear testing
• ISO 22654 - Outsole tensile strength and elongation
• ISO 24267 - Determination of coefficient of friction (slip resistance)
• ISO 19952 - Footwear vocabulary

Practical Value

Implementing this standard delivers significant practical benefits, such as:

• Improved product quality and durability
• Reduced technical disputes between suppliers and manufacturers
• Increased transparency in outsole specifications and procurement
• Enhanced safety and comfort for end users
• Streamlined global sourcing and compliance processes

By adopting SIST-TS CEN ISO/TS 20939:2026, organizations in the footwear industry can ensure their products meet recognized performance benchmarks, increasing both market trust and competitiveness.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-maj-2026
Obutev - Zahtevane lastnosti za sestavne dele obutve - Zunanji podplati (ISO/TS
20939:2024)
Footwear - Performance requirements for components for footwear - Outsoles (ISO/TS
20939:2024)
Schuhe - Anforderungen an das Gebrauchsverhalten von Schuhkomponenten -
Laufsohlen (ISO/TS 20939:2024)
Chaussures - Exigences de performance pour les composants des chaussures -
Semelles d'usure (ISO/TS 20939:2024)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: CEN ISO/TS 20939:2026
ICS:
61.060 Obuvala Footwear
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

CEN ISO/TS 20939
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
SPÉCIFICATION TECHNIQUE
March 2026
TECHNISCHE SPEZIFIKATION
ICS 61.060
English Version
Footwear - Performance requirements for components for
footwear - Outsoles (ISO/TS 20939:2024)
Chaussures - Exigences de performance pour les Schuhe - Anforderungen an das Gebrauchsverhalten
composants des chaussures - Semelles d'usure (ISO/TS von Schuhkomponenten - Laufsohlen (ISO/TS
20939:2024) 20939:2024)
This Technical Specification (CEN/TS) was approved by CEN on 20 March 2026 for provisional application.

The period of validity of this CEN/TS is limited initially to three years. After two years the members of CEN will be requested to
submit their comments, particularly on the question whether the CEN/TS can be converted into a European Standard.

CEN members are required to announce the existence of this CEN/TS in the same way as for an EN and to make the CEN/TS
available promptly at national level in an appropriate form. It is permissible to keep conflicting national standards in force (in
parallel to the CEN/TS) until the final decision about the possible conversion of the CEN/TS into an EN is reached.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2026 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. CEN ISO/TS 20939:2026 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 3

European foreword
The text of ISO/TS 20939:2024 has been prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 216 "Footwear” of
the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and has been taken over as
held by UNE.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards body.
A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN website.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of
North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and the
United Kingdom.
Endorsement notice
The text of ISO/TS 20939:2024 has been approved by CEN as CEN ISO/TS 20939:2026 without any
modification.
Technical
Specification
ISO/TS 20939
First edition
Footwear — Performance
2024-11
requirements for components for
footwear — Outsoles
Chaussures — Exigences de performance pour les composants des
chaussures — Semelles d'usure
Reference number
ISO/TS 20939:2024(en) © ISO 2024

ISO/TS 20939:2024(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: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii
ISO/TS 20939:2024(en)
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Classification . 2
5 Requirements . 2
5.1 General .2
5.2 Performance requirements for outsoles for footwear .2
6 Marking and labelling . 3

iii
ISO/TS 20939:2024(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
...