Eurofins | BLC Leather Testing Services
Eurofins | BLC are experts in leather testing with 100 years' experience working with businesses around the world in the leather industry. Eurofins | BLC’s analytical accredited testing laboratory can provide your business with product performance and quality testing.
Leather testing provides your business and customers with evidence that product quality complies with the relevant standard, is fit for purpose, and meets customer expectations. Eurofins | BLC recommends that leather testing is carried out by brands, retailers, manufacturers and suppliers as part of routine due diligence processes.
Physical Leather Testing
Eurofins | BLC’s range of physical leather testing includes tests to establish leather performance and quality for a range of applications:
- BS EN ISO 2589:2016 - Thickness
- BS EN ISO 17186:2011 - Finish thickness (thickness of surface coatings)
- BS EN ISO 17235:2015 - Softness
- BS EN ISO 2420:2017 - Density
- BS EN ISO 5402-1:2011 - Flex resistance by flexometer method (Bally flex)
- BS EN ISO 5402-2:2015 - Determination of flex resistance by the vamp flex method
- BS EN ISO 4684:2005 - Determination of volatile matter (moisture)
- ASTM D6116-00 - Standard Test Method for Blocking
- BS EN ISO 4045:2008 - Determination of pH value and difference figure of an aqueous extract
Water Spotting (Water Staining), Water Fastness & Perspiration Testing
Eurofins | BLC can test a finished product or sample to measure the resistance to water spotting on the leather:
- BS EN ISO 105-E07:2010 & BS EN ISO 15700:1999 - Spotting: water (water spotting)
- BS EN ISO 11642:2012 - Water (water fastness)
- BS EN ISO 105-E04:2013 & BS EN ISO 11641:2012 - Perspiration
Leather Finish Adhesion Testing (Wet & Dry)
Eurofins | BLC can test the adhesive properties of various finishes for leather, PU, PVC and other synthetic alternatives:
- BS EN ISO 11644:2009 - Finish adhesion
Leather Tear Strength Testing
Eurofins | BLC offer a variety of leather tear strength tests for multiple end uses:
- BS EN ISO 3376:2020 - Tensile strength and percentage extension
- BS EN ISO 3377-1:2011 - Tear load – single edge tear
- BS EN ISO 3377-2: 2016 - Tear load – double edge tear – Baumann
Light Fastness*, Colour Fastness & Colour Migration Testing
Eurofins | BLC provides a range of lightfastness, colour fastness and migration tests for leather, textile and synthetic alternatives. Eurofins | BLC tests can determine the resistance of fading, bleeding, running of dyes or pigments, and colour migration:
- BS EN ISO 105-B02:2014 - Light (light fastness)
- BS EN ISO 15701: 2015 - Staining of PVC (PVC migration)
Rub Fastness Testing
Eurofins | BLC rub fastness testing measures the resistance of colours in leather to loss under rubbing:
- BS EN ISO 17700:2019 Part A & B - Colour fastness to rubbing (rub fastness)
Cold Crack Testing of the Leather Finish
Finish cracking can be a common leather problem which can be caused by specific environmental conditions, therefore Eurofins | BLC recommends that leathers are tested for their resistance to cracking:
- BS EN ISO 17233:2017 - Crack cold resistance
Leather Dry-Cleaning & Wash Fastness Tests
Where leathergoods need to be dry cleaned or washed on a domestic or commercial scale, Eurofins | BLC can test their ability to resist fatigue, fading and failure.
- Specialist dry cleaning testing services available
- BS EN ISO 105-C06:2010 - Colour fastness to domestic and commercial laundering (colour fastness to washing)
Abrasion Resistance Testing (Including Taber Method)
Eurofins | BLC can test a range of leather types (including PU and synthetic alternatives) for their resistance to abrasion:
- Taber Method
- BS EN 13520:2002+A1:2004 - Abrasion resistance (Martindale)
Eurofins | BLC provides a wide range of leather testing services, so if you cannot see the appropriate test in the above list, please contact us via [email protected] or telephone +44 (0) 1604 679 999 to discuss your testing needs.
Most of the above performance and quality tests take the following length of time to complete which depends on the selected service:
*Please note that lightfastness testing takes 10 days and cannot be fast-tracked.
As experts within the leather industry, Eurofins | BLC provide a wide range of leather tests for leather products, samples, and wet blue. Eurofins | BLC can also help your business solve leather production and product problems.