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)

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

kSIST-TS FprCEN ISO/TS 20939:2026:2024 is a technical specification developed by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) that defines performance requirements for footwear outsole components. This standard establishes clear criteria and test methods to evaluate outsole durability, safety, and suitability according to the intended end use. It applies to outsoles used in all types of footwear, including infant shoes, casual shoes, sports shoes, and heavy work footwear.

The document serves as an essential reference tool for footwear manufacturers and outsole suppliers aiming to ensure product quality, compliance, and enhanced consumer safety in the competitive footwear market.

Key Topics

• Performance Requirements
  The standard outlines essential and additional performance requirements for outsole components. These include testing for:

  • Flex Resistance to prevent cracks under bending stress
  • Delamination and Split Tear Resistance ensuring outsole integrity
  • Abrasion Resistance for durability against wear
  • Dimensional Stability maintaining shape after exposure to conditions
  • Needle Tear Strength and Tear Strength for resistance to ripping
  • Tensile Strength and Elongation at Break to assess elasticity and strength
  • Slip Resistance measured by coefficient of friction on ceramic tiles
  • Compression Energy and Bondability for stability and outsole adhesion

• Classification of Footwear Outsoles
  The document classifies outsoles according to exposure and shoe type:

  • Class A: Infant shoes, indoor shoes, fashion shoes (low exposure)
  • Class B: Casual and school shoes (medium exposure)
  • Class C: Sport shoes, trekking, heavy work shoes (high exposure)
  • Class D: Heavy sports shoes (heavy exposure)

• Test Methods
  Test methods conform to established ISO standards for outsole evaluation, such as ISO 17707 for flex resistance and ISO 20871 for abrasion resistance, ensuring internationally recognized testing procedures.

• Marking and Labelling
  While optional, outsoles that comply with all essential requirements may be marked with manufacturer details, class designation, and the reference to this standard. Marking ensures traceability and consumer assurance without compromising the finished footwear’s aesthetics.

Applications

• Footwear Manufacturers
  Using kSIST-TS FprCEN ISO/TS 20939:2026:2024 helps manufacturers select or develop outsole materials that meet specific performance needs for different footwear categories, aiding product development, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance.

• Outsole and Component Suppliers
  Suppliers can reference this standard to align product specifications with industry requirements, facilitating clear communication with footwear producers and improving product acceptance in global markets.

• Quality Control and Testing Laboratories
  The described standardized test methods provide objective procedures to verify outsole components meet required performance thresholds, supporting certification and product validation processes.

• Consumers and Retailers
  Enhanced assurance of outsole durability, slip resistance, and comfort contributes to improved footwear safety and customer satisfaction, especially in specialized uses like sports and occupational footwear.

Related Standards

• ISO 17707 – Test methods for outsole flex resistance
• ISO 20871 – Test methods for outsole abrasion resistance
• ISO 24267 – Determination of coefficient of friction (slip resistance) for footwear and sole components
• ISO 19952 – Footwear vocabulary and definitions
• ISO 20872 to ISO 20875 – Various test methods covering tear strength, dimensional stability, and delamination resistance

These standards complement ISO/TS 20939 and form a comprehensive framework for the evaluation and specification of footwear components, promoting consistency and quality across the footwear industry.

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Adhering to kSIST-TS FprCEN ISO/TS 20939:2026:2024 ensures that footwear outsoles meet stringent performance criteria, improving product reliability and consumer confidence while supporting manufacturers and suppliers in aligning with recognized international best practices for footwear component performance.

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
...