Foreword

This British Standard has been prepared by Technical Committee CH/39, Compression hosiery and elastic hose supports.

It supersedes BS 7563:1992, which is withdrawn. The major change from the 1992 edition, which comprised solely a test method for compression characteristics and stiffness, is the inclusion of specifications for performance and labelling of hosiery.

Non-prescriptive graduated support hosiery is intended to relieve minor symptoms of heavy, aching legs and to help prevent deterioration of the veins that may lead to more severe conditions. These garments are constructed from synthetic elastomeric yarns. Relief of the associated symptoms of more advanced medical conditions may require the higher levels of compression supplied by medical compression hosiery as specified in BS 6612, the UK Department of Health Drug Tariff or in the draft European Standard prEN 12718.

Attention is also drawn to BS 7672 and the draft European Standard prEN 12719, which address anti-thrombo-embolism hosiery.

The degree of compression required to return venous function towards normal varies considerably. Hosiery providing modest compression is often effective in relieving leg discomfort, particularly when the problem is subclinical. However, all garments should produce a graduation of pressure on the leg which decreases towards the thigh to improve vein emptying.

Annex A is normative and describes the test method for determining compressive capabilities of hosiery using the Mark II hose pressure tester developed by HATRA (formerly known as the Hosiery and Allied Trades Research Association), which incorporates an adjustable flat-bed former.

Annex B is normative and describes the test method for determining heel position in hosiery without a reciprocated heel incorporated into the construction.

A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a standard. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application.

Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity from legal obligations.

Amendments issued since publication

Amd. No.	Date	Text affected
10531 Corrigendum	May 1999	Indicated by a sideline

BS 7563:1999

Specification for non-prescriptive graduated support hosiery

Published:

15 Apr 1999

Withdrawn:

29 Nov 2018