Footwear insight
SATRA Bulletin magazine regularly reports on a variety of topical issues and technological advances assisting companies in the footwear and leather industries.
Please use the links below to go directly to your selected article.
Nonyl phenol and nonyl phenol ethoxylates
Reporting on a group of potentially dangerous substances that have been found in footwear and apparel.
Footwear for the sport of golf has been the subject of considerable technological advancement over the years.
Under REACH, retailers in Europe must respond to customers' enquire about chemicals in products.
Facing change in the footwear industry
SATRA can do much to help members stay profitable, despite transformations within global trading strategies.
Occupational exposure to isocyanates – considered dangerous substances – is restricted in many countries.
ANCI celebrates Milan shoe fair
The MICAM ShoEvent was an opportunity for more than 1,500 exhibitors to showcase their latest collections.
Monitoring the dangers from dust
Are the levels of atmospheric dust in your workplace compliant with legal requirements?
How the quality of cardboard used to package footwear products should be correctly assessed.
Reviewing US consumer product legislation and the potential impact for suppliers into the US market.
PPE on show at international event
Manufacturers, buyers and retailers of PPE from around the world will be heading for Germany in October.
The cost of counterfeit footwear
A multi-billion dollar global industry, which results in significant lost revenue to the brand owners.
The importance of testing and risk assessments to keep customers safe and minimise the risk of recalls.
Testing safety footwear to US standards
Describing US requirements for personal protective equipment.
Buying shoes – the US consumer’s view
Some US shoppers give their experiences of purchasing footwear.
How shoe care products can be tested to ensure that they perform well and meet customers’ expectations.
New slip resistance method – SATRA TM144:2011
Recent developments to improve and update the slip resistance test method.
An invitation to innovation – 7th June 2011
Together we can help existing products gain a competitive edge, or bring new products to market.
Often viewed as indispensible, high-heeled shoes have developed into more than just functional items.
Reviewing one of the most stringent requirements for chemicals, currently in force in California.
American lead and phthalates legislation
Investigating the US Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act 2008.
Using thermal imaging to predict footwear problems
How infrared thermography can assist shoemakers to assess where their product may fail.
More work for Western footwear factories?
Will pressures faced by Western brand owners result in a rebirth of the European and US footwear industries?
Energy-savings policies are both good for the environment and can save a company money.
Chemical testing: answering retailers’ questions
SATRA regularly advises on chemical and restricted substances requirements – a major topic for retailers.
Buying shoes – the consumer’s view
Are the public happy with their footwear purchases? We begin with some views from shoppers in the UK.
An integrated approach to management systems
Exploring the issues surrounding effective implementation of a combined business strategy.
The Biocidal Products Directive
Reviewing the development of the Biocidal Products Directive (BPD), and how it might affect footwear.
Mountain climbing boots… then & now
How the design of high-altitude climbing boots and the materials used have changed during the past 50 years.
Technology watch – part 12: novel colouration techniques
A new dyeing technique is said to both improve the product and benefit the environment.
Safety footwear EC type-examinations
Reviewing the necessary certification required before a European CE mark can be applied to safety footwear.
How the footwear industry developed in the USA and what the future holds for the country’s shoemakers.
Assessing risk to avoid product recalls
The importance of testing and risk assessments to minimise the risk of expensive product recalls.
Technology watch – part 11: smart elastomers
Two families of elastomers which provide exciting possibilities for technologically-advanced products.
Footwear in the extreme environment of space
How did NASA design astronaut boots and what special problems were created by the Moon landings?
Testing studded sports footwear
Reviewing SATRA test methods for studded sports footwear and looks to future developments.
Technology watch – part 10: carbon nanotubes
Nanotechnology may offer innovative design ideas and solutions with everyday applications.
Technology watch – part 9: ionising radiation biocidal treatment
A novel approach to solving an age-old problem.
The importance of good auditor training
The value to footwear manufacturers of SATRA’s updated internal auditor course.
New bloom formation test method
Release of SATRA TM361 test method – ‘Bloom Formation on Polymeric Materials (Accelerated Aging).
Technology watch – part 8: heatable textiles
Flexible, heatable polymer materials, can remove some of the limitations of conventional wire heating.
An explanation of this new draft standard, which provides guidance on social responsibility.
Is your online returns policy painless?
It is vital to make sure that your web-based sales are not being damaged by a poor returns process.
Technology watch – part 7: biomimicry
Highlighting some of the potential applications for biomimicry in consumer products.
European Eco-label for footwear
Reviewing the new criteria and outlining the procedure for bringing Eco-labelled product to market.
One of the largest safety footwear markets, the EU has comprehensive legislation covering safety footwear.
Benefiting from ‘green working’ practices
An environmental management system can help to meet the demands of the green-minded consumer.
Technology watch – part 6: virtual laboratories
The potential benefits of carrying out simulated footwear testing in a virtual environment.
Demonstrating a commitment to quality
Quality Inspector Accreditation demonstrates to customers that you care about the quality of your products.
Technology watch – part 5: ‘green’ paper
How novel papers are made and their potential application in the footwear industry.
Technology watch – part 4: bokodes
Exploiting photographic techniques to read large amounts of data from tagged items.
Looking into the future to sell more shoes
Fashion trend analysis is often used by top footwear manufacturers to identify the next best-selling lines.
Technology watch – part 3: smart dust
Examining the continuing miniaturisation of computing power.
Technology watch – part 2: mini petrol engines
Investigating a potential replacement for batteries – the utilisation of mini petrol engines.
ISO 14001 environmental management systems
The best way of showing a ‘green’ commitment is to have a certified environmental management system.
Technology watch – part 1: shoe power
In this first article, we look at using nanowires to generate electric currents during motion.
Decades of change in the footwear industry
The global footwear industry has changed in many significant ways since SATRA’s inception in 1919.
It is vital for retailers' staff have good product knowledge and understand customers’ basic legal rights.
Calibration of testing and measuring equipment
Both laboratory test equipment and the measuring tools used in process monitoring must be calibrated.
Environmental management of tanneries
The value of Environmental Management Systems
Ensuring compliance of CE-marked products
SATRA can assist with CE compliance for personal protective equipment throughout the supply chain.
Examining the issues surrounding DMF anti-mould agent.
The ‘ISO 9000’ series is probably the most recognised set of standards in the world.
What to look for in test reports
The essential elements of test reports and how to understand them.
New SATRA protocol on studded and cleated footwear
The introduction of industry standards for studded sports footwear.
