SIST-TS CEN ISO/TS 20952:2026

Footwear - Performance requirements for components for footwear - Uppers (ISO/TS 20952:2024)

This document establishes the performance requirements for upper components for footwear (not for the finished footwear), irrespective of the material, 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 uppers for all kinds of footwear as defined in Clause 4.
This document can be used as a reference by the footwear manufacturer and the supplier.

Schuhe - Anforderungen an das Gebrauchsverhalten von Schuhkomponenten - Obermaterialien (ISO/TS 20952:2024)

Dieses Dokument legt die Anforderungen an das Gebrauchsverhalten von Obermaterialien für Schuhe (nicht für fertige Schuhe), unabhängig vom Material, fest, um die Eignung für die Endanwendung zu beurteilen. Es legt auch die Prüfverfahren fest, mit denen die Erfüllung der Anforderungen bewertet wird.
Dieses Dokument gilt für Obermaterialien für alle Arten von Schuhen, wie in Abschnitt 4 definiert.
Dieses Dokument kann vom Schuhhersteller und vom Lieferanten als Referenz verwendet werden.

Chaussures - Exigences de performance pour les composants des chaussures - Tiges (ISO/TS 20952:2024)

Obutev - Zahtevane lastnosti za sestavne dele obutve - Zgornji del (ISO/TS 20952:2024)

Ta dokument določa zahteve glede zmogljivosti za zgornje dele obutve (ne za končano obutev), ne glede na material, da se oceni primernost za končno uporabo. Prav tako določa preskusne metode, ki se uporabljajo za oceno skladnosti z zahtevami.
Ta dokument se uporablja za zgornje dele vseh vrst obutve, kot je opredeljeno v točki 4.
Ta dokument lahko uporablja proizvajalec obutve in dobavitelj kot referenco.

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 20952:2026 - Footwear - Performance requirements for components for footwear - Uppers (ISO/TS 20952:2024)

Relations

• Refers: SIST EN 15307:2015 - Adhesives for leather and footwear materials - Sole-upper bonds - Minimum strength requirements
• Effective Date: 08-Apr-2026
• Refers: SIST EN 1392:2006 - Adhesives for leather and footwear materials-Solvent-based and dispersion adhesives-Testing of bond strength under specified conditions
• Effective Date: 08-Apr-2026
• Refers: SIST EN 1392:1999 - Adhesives for leather and footwear materials - Solvent-based and dispersion adhesives - Test methods for measuring the bond strength under specified conditions
• Effective Date: 08-Apr-2026

Overview

SIST-TS CEN ISO/TS 20952:2026 - "Footwear - Performance requirements for components for footwear - Uppers" (ISO/TS 20952:2024) - is a technical specification established by CEN that sets clear performance requirements for upper components used in all types of footwear. This standard is applicable regardless of the material used for the upper and is focused solely on the performance and suitability of the upper component, rather than the finished footwear product. It includes detailed criteria and associated test methods for evaluating compliance, providing an essential benchmark for footwear manufacturers and suppliers.

Key Topics

• Scope of Application

  • Covers requirements for uppers in all types of footwear (e.g., casual, fashion, sport, work, and children’s shoes).
  • Not limited by material, ensuring versatility for a wide range of manufacturing techniques and designs.

• Performance Requirements

  • Specifies both essential and additional requirements for upper components.
  • Classifies footwear into exposure-based categories (Class A: slight; Class B: medium; Class C: high; Class D: heavy), aligning test criteria with end-use conditions.

• Test Methods

  • References established ISO and EN test methods to verify performance properties, such as flex resistance, tear strength, seam and bond strength, water resistance, color fastness, abrasion resistance, and more.
  • Requires samples to be prepared in accordance with ISO 17709 for consistent and reliable results.

• Marking and Labelling

  • Provides optional guidance on marking compliant uppers, including manufacturer identity, footwear type, and reference to this standard.

Applications

SIST-TS CEN ISO/TS 20952:2026 is a valuable tool for:

• Quality Assurance: Footwear manufacturers can use this standard to ensure the upper components they purchase or produce consistently meet necessary quality and durability thresholds appropriate to the end-use environment.
• Supplier and Manufacturer Communication: The clear classification and performance benchmarks facilitate robust agreements between footwear component suppliers and manufacturers, streamlining procurement and compliance processes.
• Product Development: Designers and engineers can reference the standard during the selection and testing of upper materials to preemptively satisfy global market requirements, especially when exporting to European and international markets.
• Market Entry and Traceability: Ensures traceability and credibility for upper components used within finished footwear, supporting claims of compliance during audits, certifications, and regulatory assessments.

Related Standards

To fully support testing, evaluation, and compliance, SIST-TS CEN ISO/TS 20952:2026 references several key international standards, including:

• ISO 17693: Footwear - Test methods for uppers - Resistance to damage on lasting
• ISO 17694: Flex resistance for uppers and lining
• ISO 17696: Tear strength
• ISO 17697: Seam strength
• ISO 17698: Delamination resistance
• ISO 17699: Water vapor permeability and absorption
• ISO 17700-17702, ISO 17704, ISO 17706: Additional test methods covering color fastness, water resistance, abrasion, tensile strength, and elongation
• EN 1392, EN 15307: Adhesive and bond strength test standards
• ISO 19952, ISO 20870: Footwear terminology and aging conditioning
• ISO 80000-1: Units for reporting test results

Practical Value

Implementing SIST-TS CEN ISO/TS 20952:2026 in your footwear production or supply chain process enhances product robustness, customer satisfaction, and compliance transparency. By aligning with this standard, your organization demonstrates commitment to quality, safety, and reliability in footwear upper components, resulting in stronger market positioning and smoother regulatory acceptance. This technical specification supports innovation and international trade by promoting consistent test methods and performance expectations for uppers, contributing to better, longer-lasting footwear products.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-maj-2026
Obutev - Zahtevane lastnosti za sestavne dele obutve - Zgornji del (ISO/TS
20952:2024)
Footwear - Performance requirements for components for footwear - Uppers (ISO/TS
20952:2024)
Schuhe - Anforderungen an das Gebrauchsverhalten von Schuhkomponenten -
Obermaterialien (ISO/TS 20952:2024)
Chaussures - Exigences de performance pour les composants des chaussures - Tiges
(ISO/TS 20952:2024)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: CEN ISO/TS 20952:2026
ICS:
61.060 Obuvala Footwear
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

CEN ISO/TS 20952
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
SPÉCIFICATION TECHNIQUE
March 2026
TECHNISCHE SPEZIFIKATION
ICS 61.060
English Version
Footwear - Performance requirements for components for
footwear - Uppers (ISO/TS 20952:2024)
Chaussures - Exigences de performance pour les Schuhe - Anforderungen an das Gebrauchsverhalten
composants des chaussures - Tiges (ISO/TS von Schuhkomponenten - Obermaterialien (ISO/TS
20952:2024) 20952:2024)
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 20952:2026 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 3

European foreword
The text of ISO/TS 20952:2024 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 20952:2024 has been approved by CEN as CEN ISO/TS 20952:2026 without any
modification.
Technical
Specification
ISO/TS 20952
First edition
Footwear — Performance
2024-11
requirements for components for
footwear — Uppers
Chaussures — Exigences de performance pour les composants des
chaussures — Tiges
Reference number
ISO/TS 20952:2024(en) © ISO 2024

ISO/TS 20952:2024(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 20952:2024(en)
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 2
4 Classification . 2
5 Requirements . 2
5.1 General .2
5.2 Performance requirements for uppers components for footwear class A .2
5.2.1 Essential requirements .2
5.2.2 Additional requirements .3
5.3 Performance requirements for uppers components for footwear class B, C and D .3
5.3.1 Essential requirements .3
5.3.2 Additional requirements .4
6 Marking and labelling . 5

iii
ISO/TS 20952:2024(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 non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely
with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types
of ISO document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent
rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a)
patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that
this may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at
www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 216, Footwear.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be d
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