November 2025: Updated Leather Colour Fastness Standard Strengthens Textile and Leather Quality

In the fast-evolving world of textile and leather technology, quality and durability standards underpin business success. The publication of ISO 11641:2025 in November 2025 marks a vital update, sharpening the focus on colour fastness for leather products exposed to perspiration. This new standard, a critical resource for manufacturers and quality managers, encapsulates international best practices for ensuring the lasting appearance and integrity of leather goods. As the only newly published specification in this cycle, it addresses the real-world conditions faced by garment, glove, lining, and footwear producers who demand consistent, global benchmarks for quality and compliance.

Overview / Introduction

The textile and leather technology sector is driven by advancements in material science, sophisticated testing methods, and consumer demands for reliable, safe, and attractive products. International standards play a pivotal role, bridging expectations between global manufacturers, brands, and regulatory bodies to ensure that products perform as promised under actual use conditions.

Colour fastness—the resistance of a material’s colour to fading or bleeding—is a critical quality indicator in leather manufacturing. It directly affects product reputation, customer satisfaction, and regulatory compliance, especially for items frequently exposed to sweat or environmental stress. In this article, you’ll explore the details of the newly revised ISO 11641:2025, how it modernizes approaches to assessing and ensuring the resilience of leather, and what it means for your organization’s product development and compliance pathways.

Detailed Standards Coverage

ISO 11641:2025 – Leather Colour Fastness to Perspiration

Leather – Tests for colour fastness – Colour fastness to perspiration

ISO 11641:2025 is the latest international reference for assessing how leather materials respond to conditions simulating human perspiration—a common but harsh test of product longevity, especially relevant for leathers used in gloves, apparel, shoe linings, and components exposed to prolonged contact with skin.

What this standard covers

This document specifies laboratory procedures for testing the colour fastness of all types of leather at any stage of processing. By immersing leather samples and adjacent fabrics in an artificial (alkaline) perspiration solution and subjecting them to controlled pressure and drying, it evaluates colour retention and potential staining. The method closely simulates real-world conditions where leather comes into direct contact with perspiring skin, offering practical insights for manufacturers.

Key requirements and specifications

• Defines the composition of an artificial sweat solution (alkaline, pH 7.5–8.5), aligning with typical conditions encountered in use.
• Specifies sample preparation, apparatus (including a 5 kg weighted test frame), and the duration of exposure.
• Mandates the use of standardized adjacent fabrics (e.g., wool, cotton, polyester, polyamide) as defined in related ISO 105-F series standards.
• Outlines precise assessment using grey scales for both colour change and staining, ensuring consistent and objective results.
• Requires detailed test reports including explicit mention of specimen preparation, apparatus used, exposure time, evaluation results, and references to related ISO standards.
• Updates cross-references to foundational documents such as ISO 2418 (specimen prep) and ISO 7906 (testing principles), ensuring alignment with the latest industry best practices.

Who needs to comply?

• Tannery operators
• Glove, garment, and leather accessory manufacturers
• Shoe manufacturers (especially for unlined uppers and linings)
• Leather testing laboratories and certification bodies
• Quality assurance and compliance departments in the leather value chain

Practical implications

Implementing ISO 11641:2025 ensures:

• Predictable, comparable quality assessments for leather goods across suppliers and markets.
• Early detection of poor colour fastness, enabling targeted process improvements in dye formulation, finish type, or material sourcing.
• Enhanced credibility for brands seeking to demonstrate adherence to international standards.

Notable revisions

Compared to the previous edition (ISO 11641:2012), the 2025 standard introduces:

• Updated normative references (notably to ISO 2418 and ISO 7906) for improved procedural clarity.
• Editorial and technical refinements for broader applicability across modern leather types and processing methods.

Key highlights:

• Direct simulation of human perspiration impact under realistic conditions
• Standardized apparatus and assessment methods for repeatability
• Expanded, up-to-date references to harmonize quality expectations globally

Access the full standard:View ISO 11641:2025 on iTeh Standards

Industry Impact & Compliance

For manufacturers, brands, and procurement specialists, ISO 11641:2025 is a cornerstone reference. Adoption ensures products are tested consistently for one of the most common real-world risks—colour transfer or fading due to perspiration. This can directly influence product recalls, warranty claims, and consumer trust.

Compliance timeline: As the standard was published in November 2025, organizations should transition testing procedures immediately for all new designs and materials in scope. Existing product lines may require revalidation based on market or customer requirements. Third-party certifiers and quality audit teams will reference the new edition for conformity assessments.

Benefits of adopting ISO 11641:2025:

• Improved claim defensibility and reduction in return rates due to discolouration
• Streamlined global sourcing and supply chain integration—suppliers can demonstrate compliance to a universally recognized test
• Enhanced market access, especially for regulated segments or major global brands demanding current standards
• Better material selection upstream, reducing risks and costs in downstream production

Risks of non-compliance:

• Increased failures in end-use, customer complaints, and potential legal exposure
• Supply chain disruptions if major buyers or regions mandate the updated test
• Loss of competitive edge due to negative brand perception or non-conforming batches

Technical Insights

Common technical requirements:

• Use of properly calibrated and standardized test equipment, including a 5 kg frame designed for accurate pressure application.
• Preparation of specimens and adjacent fabrics per referenced ISO textile standards to ensure reproducibility.
• Alkaline perspiration simulation to reflect worst-case real-life exposures.
• Application of grey scale assessment for both direct colour changes and cross-staining effects—it is critical that personnel are trained in objective scoring and result recording.

Implementation best practices:

1. Establish or update laboratory procedures to mirror the exact sample preparation and apparatus conditions described.
2. Conduct regular inter-laboratory trials to ensure consistent results across testing sites.
3. Maintain clear documentation as required in the 'Test Report' clause, listing the test method, apparatus, results, and any deviations.
4. Train QA teams on interpreting and applying both grey scales and adjacent fabric assessments.

Testing and certification considerations:

• Laboratories may seek external accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 for their testing processes, facilitating greater confidence among clients.
• Certifications or declarations of conformity referencing ISO 11641:2025 will be preferred by major brands and end-users.
• As process and chemical formulations in tanning can impact fastness, integrate results into continuous improvement/quality cycles.

Conclusion / Next Steps

ISO 11641:2025 is more than a technical document—it’s a linchpin for quality, compliance, and market access within the textile and leather technology sector. Embracing this updated standard signals a clear commitment to contemporary performance benchmarks, helping your products stand up to daily wear and inspections worldwide.

Key takeaways:

• The new standard bolsters quality control for leather exposed to perspiration—a major factor in apparel, accessories, and shoe manufacturing.
• Updated procedures and references mean better alignment with current industry best practices and improved test reliability.
• Proactive compliance sets you apart in competitive and regulated markets.

Recommendations:

• Update in-house testing and supplier agreements to mandate ISO 11641:2025 for covered products.
• Schedule training and inter-lab comparisons for all quality managers and lab technicians.
• Audit your current processes against the new standard’s requirements, identifying gaps and improvement areas.

Explore the full text, implementation guidance, and further resources at iTeh Standards, and stay ahead by subscribing for updates on future revisions and related textile and leather standards.