SIST-TS CEN ISO/TS 23889:2026

Footwear - Performance requirements for components for footwear - Heels and top pieces (ISO/TS 23889:2024)

This document establishes the performance requirements for heel and top pieces components for footwear, irrespective of the material, in order to assess the suitability for the end use and/or fitness for purpose. It also establishes the test methods used to evaluate the compliance with the requirements.
This document applies to heel and top piece for all kind of footwear as defined in Clause 4. It does not apply to finished footwear.
This document can be used as a reference by the manufacturer and the supplier.

Schuhe - Anforderungen an das Gebrauchsverhalten von Schuhkomponenten - Absätze und Oberflecken (ISO/TS 23889:2024)

Chaussures - Exigences de performance pour les composants des chaussures - Talons et bonbouts (ISO/TS 23889:2024)

Obutev - Zahtevane lastnosti za sestavne dele obutve - Pete in napetniki (ISO/TS 23889:2024)

Ta dokument določa zahteve glede zmogljivosti za komponente pete in zgornjega dela obutve, ne glede na material, da se oceni primernost za končno uporabo in/ali ustreznost za namen. Prav tako določa preskusne metode, ki se uporabljajo za ocenjevanje skladnosti z zahtevami.
Ta dokument se uporablja za pete in zgornje dele vseh vrst obutve, kot je opredeljeno v točki 4. Ne velja za končano obutev.
Ta dokument lahko uporabljata proizvajalec 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 23889:2026 - Footwear - Performance requirements for components for footwear - Heels and top pieces (ISO/TS 23889:2024)

Overview

The kSIST-TS FprCEN ISO/TS 23889:2026:2024 standard specifies performance requirements for heel and top piece components used in footwear. Applicable to all types of footwear components regardless of material, this document is essential for manufacturers and suppliers aiming to ensure their products meet fitness for purpose and suitability standards. Unlike standards for finished footwear, ISO/TS 23889 focuses exclusively on these specific components and defines precise testing methods to evaluate compliance.

This technical specification serves as a reliable reference framework to help industry professionals assess durability, safety, and functional performance of heels and top pieces, contributing to enhanced footwear quality and consumer satisfaction.

Key Topics

• Scope and Classification:
  The standard applies to heel and top pieces for all kinds of footwear classified by exposure and use ranging from slight to heavy (classes A to D). Examples include infant shoes (Class A), casual and work shoes (Class B), sport and trekking shoes (Class C), and high-performance sports footwear (Class D).

• Performance Requirements:
  The document sets two types of requirements - essential (mandatory) and additional (optional, agreed between supplier and manufacturer). Key performance tests include:

  • Resistance to lateral impact (≥ 5 J for heels over 5 cm high)
  • Fatigue resistance (≥ 14,000 impacts on heels)
  • Heel pin holding strength (≥ 80 N/mm)
  • Abrasion resistance for top pieces varies by class (Class A ≤ 300 mm, Class B ≤ 200 mm, Class C ≤ 150 mm)
  • Top piece retention strength (≥ 100 N)

• Test Methods Referenced:
  The standard incorporates several ISO test methods, including:

  • ISO 19953 for lateral impact resistance
  • ISO 19956 for fatigue resistance
  • ISO 19957 for heel pin holding strength
  • ISO 20871 for abrasion resistance
  • ISO 24264 for top piece attachment strength
  • ISO 24267 for slip resistance (optional, especially for finished footwear)

• Marking and Labelling:
  Compliance marking is optional but must include manufacturer identification, intended footwear class, and reference to ISO/TS 23889. Marking must be discreet and not visible on finished footwear.

Applications

• Footwear Industry:
  Manufacturers of footwear components use this standard to ensure heels and top pieces meet quality and durability requirements suited to different footwear applications - from children's shoes to heavy-duty work boots and athletic footwear.

• Component Suppliers:
  Suppliers leverage this specification to offer validated parts that comply with universal performance benchmarks, facilitating trust and compatibility with footwear producers.

• Quality Assurance:
  Testing laboratories and certification bodies utilize the defined methods to assess component fitness, contributing to safer and longer-lasting footwear products.

• Product Development:
  Research and development teams integrate these requirements early in design cycles to optimize heel and top piece materials and construction.

Related Standards

For a thorough approach to footwear component quality and safety, ISO/TS 23889 is often used alongside these standards:

• ISO 19952 - Footwear vocabulary, ensuring consistent terminology across specifications
• ISO 20871 - Test methods for outsole abrasion resistance, important for assessing wear properties related to top pieces
• ISO 19953 to ISO 19957 - Specific test methods for various performance aspects of heels
• ISO 24264 - Attachment strength tests for heels and top pieces
• ISO 24267 - Test method to determine slip resistance, relevant for assessing safety in finished footwear

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By adhering to kSIST-TS FprCEN ISO/TS 23889:2026:2024, manufacturers and suppliers can confidently deliver high-quality heel and top piece components that meet international performance criteria, improving footwear durability and user safety across global markets.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-maj-2026
Obutev - Zahtevane lastnosti za sestavne dele obutve - Pete in napetniki (ISO/TS
23889:2024)
Footwear - Performance requirements for components for footwear - Heels and top
pieces (ISO/TS 23889:2024)
Schuhe - Anforderungen an das Gebrauchsverhalten von Schuhkomponenten - Absätze
und Oberflecken (ISO/TS 23889:2024)
Chaussures - Exigences de performance pour les composants des chaussures - Talons
et bonbouts (ISO/TS 23889:2024)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: CEN ISO/TS 23889:2026
ICS:
61.060 Obuvala Footwear
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

CEN ISO/TS 23889
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
SPÉCIFICATION TECHNIQUE
March 2026
TECHNISCHE SPEZIFIKATION
ICS 61.060
English Version
Footwear - Performance requirements for components for
footwear - Heels and top pieces (ISO/TS 23889:2024)
Chaussures - Exigences de performance pour les Schuhe - Anforderungen an das Gebrauchsverhalten
composants des chaussures - Talons et bonbouts von Schuhkomponenten - Absätze und Oberflecken
(ISO/TS 23889:2024) (ISO/TS 23889:2024)
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 23889:2026 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 3

European foreword
The text of ISO/TS 23889:2024 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 23889:2024 has been approved by CEN as CEN ISO/TS 23889:2026 without any
modification.
Technical
Specification
ISO/TS 23889
First edition
Footwear — Performance
2024-12
requirements for components for
footwear — Heels and top pieces
Chaussures — Exigences de performance pour les composants des
chaussures — Talons et bonbouts
Reference number
ISO/TS 23889:2024(en) © ISO 2024

ISO/TS 23889:2024(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 23889:2024(en)
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Classification . 1
5 Requirements . 2
5.1 General .2
5.2 Performance requirements for heels . .2
5.2.1 Essential requirements for heels .2
5.2.2 Additional requirements for heels .2
5.3 Performance requirements for top pieces .2
5.3.1 Essential requirements for top pieces.2
5.3.2 Additional requirements for top pieces .
...