National foreword

This British Standard is the UK implementation of EN ISO 19952:2025. It is identical to ISO 19952:2025. It supersedes BS EN ISO 19952:2006, which is withdrawn.

The UK participation in its preparation was entrusted to Technical Committee TCI/69, Footwear & Leather.

A list of organizations represented on this committee can be obtained on request to its committee manager.

BSI, as a member of CEN is obliged to publish EN ISO 19952:2025 as a British Standard. However, attention is drawn to the fact that during the development of this European Standard, the UK committee voted against its approval.

The UK committee raised several concerns over the contents of this standard and the use of non-academic sources, such as Wikipedia in the compilation of the definitions. Their concerns relate to definitions throughout the standard, and they draw users’ attention to some examples of these concerns.

Subclause 3.1.10. The UK committee notes to users that it is possible that a combined material could be different to a composite material. The definition aligns more with a composite material, whilst the examples are more illustrative of a combined material.

Subclause 3.1.22. As leather would generally be referred to by its substance, the term “thick leather” could cause confusion.

Subclause 3.2.10. If the discussion of edge treatment causes any confusion, users can find additional guidance in the concise shoe making dictionary published by A M Garley.

Subclause 3.3.9. This includes reference to the box toe or toe puff being made of metal. The UK committee clarifies that where this is the case, it would usually be considered as a safety toe cap rather than a toe-puff.

Subclause 3.4.1.2. The UK committee note that outside of the traditional Chelsea boot definition, other styles can be considered.

Subclause 3.4.1.3. As well as suede, leather and rubber, Chukka boots could include other materials.

Subclause 3.4.3. Ballet footwear is not exclusively made from satin and its construction can include leather or other man-made fabric.

Subclause 3.4.6. Brothel-creepers have a distinctive upper design, which is not mentioned.

Subclause 3.4.12. Users should note that individuals with diabetes do not always need to wear specifically designed footwear.

Subclause 3.4.21. Users should note that this definition should not be confused with other Dr. Martens type footwear, which have PVC outsoles rather than rubber.

Subclause 3.4.41. The definition does not include information on how the outsole is attached to the upper, which is a key part of this construction type.

To aid in application of this standard, taking into account the points above, the UK committee points users towards the concise shoe making dictionary published by A M Garley, which should be consulted when applying this standard.

Contractual and legal considerations

This publication has been prepared in good faith, however no representation, warranty, assurance or undertaking (express or implied) is or will be made, and no responsibility or liability is or will be accepted by BSI in relation to the adequacy, accuracy, completeness or reasonableness of this publication. All and any such responsibility and liability is expressly disclaimed to the full extent permitted by the law.

This publication is provided as is, and is to be used at the recipient’s own risk.

The recipient is advised to consider seeking professional guidance with respect to its use of this publication.

This publication is not intended to constitute a contract. Users are responsible for its correct application.

Compliance with a British Standard cannot confer immunity from legal obligations.

This British Standard was published under the authority of the Standards Policy and Strategy Committee on 31 July 2025.

This European Standard was approved by CEN on 10 February 2025.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, 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 foreword

This document (EN ISO 19952:2025) has been prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 216 "Footwear" in collaboration with Technical Committee CEN/TC 309 “Footwear” the secretariat of which is held by UNE.

This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by August 2025, and conflicting national standards shall be withdrawn at the latest by August 2025.

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.

This document supersedes EN ISO 19952:2005.

Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards body/national committee. 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 19952:2025 has been approved by CEN as EN ISO 19952:2025 without any modification.

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, in collaboration with the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) Technical Committee CEN/TC 309, Footwear, in accordance with the Agreement on technical cooperation between ISO and CEN (Vienna Agreement).

This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 19952:2005), which has been technically revised.

The main changes are as follows:

additional terms were added, such as antimicrobial footwear, bottom wall, boxing footwear, bridge, components in contact with the skin, critical substances, drawn-up toe, extended sole spike heel, stiletto heel, etc.;
synonyms were combined, such as box toe and toe puff, runner and through sole, built heel and stack heel etc.;
some definitions were reviewed, such as bottom assembly, children’s footwear, etc.;
terms were updated based on industry developments, for example double sole was changed to multilayer sole;
some unnecessary terms were deleted, such as school footwear/children’s school footwear.

Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.

Introduction

This document defines terms and definitions used in the footwear industry, in order to facilitate communication and understanding across trade, designers, universities, manufacturers etc. in the footwear sector. This document defines each type of footwear under the current technological processes.

1 Scope

This document defines terms used in the footwear industry.

2 Normative references

3 Terms and definitions

3.1 Footwear materials

3.2 Footwear manufacturing

3.3 Footwear components

3.4 Footwear type

3.5 Footwear performance

3.6 Other terms

Bibliography

BS EN ISO 19952:2025

Footwear. Vocabulary

Current

Published:

31 Jul 2025

1 Scope