The international (ISO) and European (CEN) committees TC216 and TC309, which are responsible for drawing up test methods and performance guidelines for footwear and footwear materials, recently met at SATRA in the UK, with some delegates travelling from as far as China and South Africa.

SATRA’s deputy chief executive Richard Turner, who hosted the two-day meeting, also represents the British Standards Institute on these committees as leader of the UK delegation. Commenting on the meeting he said, “This is the second time in a decade that these committees have met at SATRA and return visits of this type are rare.” 

Over the years, these committees have published an extensive range of test methods for footwear and one discussion at SATRA involved a review of which laboratories could carry out various tests. The group confirmed that SATRA is the only testing organisation worldwide known to be able to carry out all of the necessary footwear tests.

The committees are scheduled to meet again in Germany on May 22, where one of the key topics will be the slip resistance test for shoe solings developed at SATRA and its possible adoption as an international standard.