What Is Slip Resistance?
The slip resistance test measures the dynamic coefficient of friction of the footwear on a defined floor with a defined contaminant (detergent solution or glycerol). Measurement is taken in different positions: forward slip (heel contact) and backward slip (forepart contact).
Purpose of Slip Resistance
The purpose is to quantify the risk of slipping on wet or oily floors and to verify the SRA, SRB or SRC classification in protective footwear standards.
Which Products Is Slip Resistance Applied To?
- Safety footwear
- Kitchen and food-sector footwear
- Healthcare staff footwear
- Everyday and sports footwear
- Boots
In Which Sectors Is Slip Resistance Used?
Standards Related to Slip Resistance
- TS EN ISO 13287 (footwear — determination of slip resistance)
- TS EN ISO 20344 (protective footwear test methods)
- TS EN ISO 20345 (safety footwear — requirements)
Slip Resistance Conditions
- Floor and contaminant
- Sodium lauryl sulphate solution on ceramic tile (SRA), or glycerol on steel flooring (SRB)
- Measurement positions
- Flat, heel-angled, and forepart-angled contact
- Classification
- SRA, SRB, and SRC covering both
Equipment for Slip Resistance
- Slip resistance test machine
- Standard ceramic and steel floor plates
- Contaminant preparation setup
- Load and force measurement system
Sample Requirements for Slip Resistance
- A complete shoe is required; a separate sole is not sufficient
- The specimen must be new and unused
- The number of pairs defined in the standard
- The sole pattern and material must be declared
Duration of Slip Resistance
The measurement itself is quick. Total duration is governed by floor preparation, contaminant application and the number of positions.
Slip Resistance Procedure
- 1The floor plate and contaminant are prepared per the standard.
- 2The shoe is mounted on the machine with the defined load.
- 3Motion is applied in the defined position and slip direction.
- 4The dynamic coefficient of friction is recorded.
- 5The measurement is repeated for each position.
- 6Results are reported as an average per position.
Slip Resistance Acceptance Criteria
TS EN ISO 20345 defines minimum friction coefficient values that must be met at each measurement position for SRA and SRB. Current thresholds are confirmed from the standard's latest edition, and each position must be satisfied separately.
Evaluation of Results
Falling below the threshold at even one position lowers the classification. An SRC marking means both SRA and SRB requirements are met; the laboratory result must cover both conditions.
Slip Resistance Report
- Shoe identification, sole material and pattern
- Floor and contaminant information
- Friction coefficient values for each position
- Classification met (SRA/SRB/SRC)
Accreditation
EUROLAB holds internationally recognised accreditation obtained from accreditation bodies party to the IAF and ILAC multilateral recognition arrangements, under ISO/IEC 17025 for laboratory testing, ISO/IEC 17020 for inspection and surveillance, and ISO/IEC 17021-1 and ISO/IEC 17065 for system and product certification. This chain ensures the reports and certificates issued are accepted worldwide.
Whether this test can be offered within accredited scope depends on your product and the standard applied; since accreditation is method-based, the scope is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.
Scope and authorisationsRelated Regulations
- (EU) 2016/425 Personal Protective Equipment Regulation
Footwear and Leather Testing — What Does This Testing Field Cover?
The section below describes the field that the Slip Resistance test belongs to; the conditions and acceptance criteria of this particular test are given in the sections above. The scope specific to your product is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.
Footwear and leather testing assesses the physical durability and chemical safety of a product together. Footwear is a MULTI-COMPONENT product: the sole, upper, lining, insole, heel and bonding line are tested both individually and together. One component being good does not mean the product is good; failure usually appears where components join.
On the physical side, the most common field failure is SOLE-UPPER SEPARATION. Bond strength is therefore the most critical measurement in the field and is a direct indicator of the bonding process (surface preparation, adhesive selection, pressing conditions). Next come sole abrasion and flex resistance: a shoe is flexed hundreds of thousands of times over its life.
Slip resistance is the most important parameter for safety and its measurement depends on the surface: wet ceramic, oily steel and dry floor give different results. Slip resistance is therefore reported not as a single number but with the surface and the direction of slip stated.
A separate body of work applies to protective footwear, and this is the most commercially critical distinction. Toe protection (impact and compression), penetration resistance, antistatic behaviour, heat and cold insulation, electrical insulation and fuel resistance are assessed under personal protective equipment requirements. CE is mandatory for these products and the category must be chosen correctly; an ordinary footwear test report does not satisfy that file.
On the chemical side, CHROMIUM (VI) has a special place in leather. The chromium (III) used in tanning can oxidise into chromium (VI) during storage and ageing; that is, a leather that was compliant at production may exceed the limit months later. The time of measurement and the history of the sample therefore affect the result, and measurement after ageing may be required.
Other chemical items are aromatic amines from azo dyes, pentachlorophenol, short-chain chlorinated paraffins, dimethyl fumarate and phthalates. These items come from REACH restrictions and brand restricted substance lists.
There is NO CE marking on consumer footwear; the obligation runs through material composition labelling, compliance with chemical restrictions and general product safety. Labelling has a rule of its own: the type of material used for the upper, the lining and insole and the outer sole is shown by pictograms.
Comfort and functional claims (waterproofness, moisture management, breathability) are supported by separate tests, and these claims require evidence if used in marketing copy.
Method groups in this field
Bonding and strength
Sole-upper bond strength, seam strength, heel attachment strength, strap and buckle strength.
Abrasion and flexing
Sole abrasion, flex resistance (dry and at low temperature), insole abrasion.
Slip resistance
Forward and backward slip measurements on wet ceramic, oily steel and dry floor.
Protective properties
Toe impact and compression resistance, penetration resistance, antistatic behaviour, heat and cold insulation, fuel and chemical resistance.
Leather chemistry
Chromium (VI), azo dye amines, pentachlorophenol, short-chain chlorinated paraffins, pH and fat content.
Comfort and function
Waterproofness, water vapour permeability, moisture management, colour fastness and the effect of perspiration.
Commonly confused in this field
- Footwear claiming a protective function falls under PPE legislation and requires CE; a consumer footwear test report does not satisfy that file.
- A chromium (VI) result depends on the age of the sample and its storage conditions; leather compliant at production may exceed the limit later.
- Slip resistance is not a single number; it cannot be interpreted without stating the surface and the direction.
- A result obtained for one component does not cover the whole product; the joints are tested separately.
- Labelling rules run on material pictograms; an incorrect pictogram causes problems in customs and market surveillance.
- A waterproofness claim is not verifiable unless the test used and the number of flex cycles after which it was measured are stated.
Which decisions these results support
- Compliance with the brand restricted substance list
- The PPE category and CE file for protective footwear
- Supplier and lot-based acceptance control
- Root cause analysis of field complaints (bond opening, sole separation)
- Substantiation of functional claims
Related Tests
Frequently Asked Questions About Slip Resistance
Does SRC mean safe on every floor?
No. SRC only shows that the two defined laboratory conditions (ceramic/detergent and steel/glycerol) are met. Conditions such as oily metal grating or icy flooring are not represented by these tests.
Can the test be run on a worn sole?
The standard requires measurement on a new product. A result obtained on a worn specimen cannot be used for classification; performance over the service life is a separate matter.