CEN ISO/TS 20961:2026
(Main)Footwear - Performance requirements for components for footwear - Shanks (ISO/TS 20961:2024)
Footwear - Performance requirements for components for footwear - Shanks (ISO/TS 20961:2024)
This document establishes the performance requirements for shank 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 to be used to evaluate the compliance with the requirements.
This document applies to shanks for all kinds of footwear as defined in Clause 4.
This document can be used as a reference by the manufacturer and the supplier..
Schuhe - Anforderungen an das Gebrauchsverhalten von Schuhkomponenten - Gelenke (ISO/TS 20961:2024)
Dieses Dokument legt die Anforderungen an das Gebrauchsverhalten von Gelenkkomponenten für Schuhe, unabhängig vom Material, fest, um die Eignung für die Endanwendung und/oder die Gebrauchstauglichkeit zu beurteilen. Es legt auch die Prüfverfahren fest, mit denen die Erfüllung der Anforderungen bewertet wird.
Dieses Dokument ist anwendbar für Gelenke für alle Arten von Schuhen, wie in Abschnitt 4 definiert.
Dieses Dokument kann vom Hersteller und vom Lieferanten als Referenz verwendet werden.
Chaussures - Exigences de performance pour les composants des chaussures - Cambrions (ISO/TS 20961:2024)
Obutev - Zahtevane lastnosti za sestavne dele obutve - Podplati (ISO/TS 20961:2024)
Ta dokument določa zahteve glede zmogljivosti za komponente opornic (shank) za obutev, 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 oceno skladnosti z zahtevami.
Ta dokument se uporablja za opornice za vse vrste obutve, kot je opredeljeno v točki 4.
Ta dokument lahko kot referenco uporabljata proizvajalec in dobavitelj.
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 07-Apr-2026
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 309 - Footwear
- Current Stage
- 6060 - Definitive text made available (DAV) - Publishing
- Start Date
- 08-Apr-2026
- Due Date
- 07-Apr-2027
- Completion Date
- 08-Apr-2026
Relations
- Effective Date
- 29-Apr-2026
- Effective Date
- 29-Apr-2026
- Effective Date
- 29-Apr-2026
- Effective Date
- 29-Apr-2026
- Effective Date
- 29-Apr-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
Overview
CEN ISO/TS 20961:2026 is an international standard that specifies the performance requirements for shank components used in all types of footwear. Shanks are critical structural elements in shoes, contributing to stability and support, especially in heeled or work-oriented footwear. This standard applies regardless of the material used for the shank and incorporates essential fitness-for-purpose criteria to ensure performance across diverse end uses. CEN ISO/TS 20961:2026 is a valuable resource for footwear manufacturers and suppliers, providing clear benchmarks for the evaluation of shank quality and durability.
Key Topics
- Performance Requirements: Establishes clear performance benchmarks for shank components in footwear, focusing on factors such as fatigue resistance and longitudinal stiffness.
- Test Methods: Recommends standardized test procedures to evaluate compliance, ensuring comparability and reliability of results.
- Classification: Footwear is categorized based on intended use and level of exposure, which informs the specific shank requirements:
- Class A: Infants’ shoes, slippers, indoor and fashion shoes.
- Class B: Casual and children’s footwear.
- Class C: Sport shoes, adult work shoes (excluding PPE).
- Class D: Heavy-duty, trekking, and similar sports shoes.
- Marking and Labelling: Provides guidance on optional marking to indicate compliance, strengthening consumer and stakeholder confidence in product quality.
- Reference Document: This standard can be cited in contracts and supply agreements between manufacturers and suppliers to confirm the quality and suitability of the supplied shank components.
Applications
CEN ISO/TS 20961:2026 is applicable to a wide range of footwear manufacturing and supply chain scenarios:
- Manufacturing: Assists footwear manufacturers in designing and selecting suitable shank components, ensuring that finished products meet international standards for performance and durability.
- Procurement and Quality Assurance: Enables suppliers and procurement professionals to evaluate shank quality and provides objective criteria for supplier assessment and acceptance testing.
- End-Use Suitability: Ensures that footwear delivered to consumers is appropriate for its intended use, helping to prevent premature failure or inadequate support, particularly in demanding environments.
- Product Certification and Compliance: Can serve as a reference in product certification programs and supports the demonstration of conformity with recognized international standards.
- Market Access: Facilitates trade and international acceptance by harmonizing requirements across countries and simplifying regulatory checks for footwear exports.
Related Standards
Implementing CEN ISO/TS 20961:2026 may involve reference to several related standards within the footwear industry:
- ISO 17709: Sampling location, preparation, and duration of conditioning of samples and test pieces.
- ISO 18895: Test methods for shanks - Fatigue resistance.
- ISO 18896: Test methods for shanks - Longitudinal stiffness.
- ISO 19952: Vocabulary for footwear, providing standardized definitions.
- ISO 80000-1: Guidance on quantities and units.
By referencing these documents alongside CEN ISO/TS 20961:2026, footwear professionals can ensure a comprehensive approach to product assessment, testing, and marking, ultimately leading to higher product quality and enhanced consumer trust.
Keywords: footwear standard, shank performance, footwear components, CEN ISO/TS 20961:2026, shank testing, footwear manufacturing, international footwear standards, quality assurance, durability, longitudinal stiffness, fatigue resistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
CEN ISO/TS 20961:2026 is a technical specification published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Footwear - Performance requirements for components for footwear - Shanks (ISO/TS 20961:2024)". This standard covers: This document establishes the performance requirements for shank 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 to be used to evaluate the compliance with the requirements. This document applies to shanks for all kinds of footwear as defined in Clause 4. This document can be used as a reference by the manufacturer and the supplier..
This document establishes the performance requirements for shank 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 to be used to evaluate the compliance with the requirements. This document applies to shanks for all kinds of footwear as defined in Clause 4. This document can be used as a reference by the manufacturer and the supplier..
CEN ISO/TS 20961:2026 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 61.060 - Footwear. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
CEN ISO/TS 20961:2026 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to ISO 80000-1:2022, ISO 18895:2006, ISO 18896:2018, ISO 17709:2004, ISO 19952:2025, EN ISO 4172:2024. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
CEN ISO/TS 20961:2026 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-junij-2026
Obutev - Zahtevane lastnosti za sestavne dele obutve - Podplati (ISO/TS
20961:2024)
Footwear - Performance requirements for components for footwear - Shanks (ISO/TS
20961:2024)
Schuhe - Anforderungen an das Gebrauchsverhalten von Schuhkomponenten - Gelenke
(ISO/TS 20961:2024)
Chaussures - Exigences de performance pour les composants des chaussures -
Cambrions (ISO/TS 20961:2024)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: CEN ISO/TS 20961:2026
ICS:
61.060 Obuvala Footwear
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
CEN ISO/TS 20961
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
SPÉCIFICATION TECHNIQUE
April 2026
TECHNISCHE SPEZIFIKATION
ICS 61.060
English Version
Footwear - Performance requirements for components for
footwear - Shanks (ISO/TS 20961:2024)
Chaussures - Exigences de performance pour les Schuhe - Anforderungen an das Gebrauchsverhalten
composants des chaussures - Cambrions (ISO/TS von Schuhkomponenten - Gelenke (ISO/TS
20961:2024) 20961:2024)
This Technical Specification (CEN/TS) was approved by CEN on 6 April 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 20961:2026 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
Contents Page
European foreword . 3
European foreword
The text of ISO/TS 20961:2024 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 announce this Technical Specification: 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 20961:2024 has been approved by CEN as CEN ISO/TS 20961:2026 without any
modification.
Technical
Specification
ISO/TS 20961
First edition
Footwear — Performance
2024-11
requirements for components for
footwear — Shanks
Chaussures — Exigences de performance pour les composants des
chaussures — Cambrions
Reference number
ISO/TS 20961:2024(en) © ISO 2024
ISO/TS 20961:2024(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: +41 22 749 01 11
Email: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii
ISO/TS 20961:2024(en)
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Classification . 1
5 Requirements .
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.
Loading comments...