What is ISO 7979:2025?

ISO 7979:2025 - Leather: Tests for colour fastness - Colour fastness to hydroalcoholic mixtures specifies standardized laboratory methods to assess the resistance of leather surfaces to hydroalcoholic mixtures (alcohol + water-based formulations). Developed by IULTCS in cooperation with CEN, this first-edition standard (2025) applies to all kinds of leather and reflects real-world exposures such as disinfectants, sanitizers, and cleaning solutions.

Scope

Applicable to all leather types; evaluates surface colour fastness against hydroalcoholic mixtures.

Test Principle

Two complementary approaches:

Surface wetting method:

A cotton cloth (~50 × 50 mm) is wetted with 0.5 ± 0.1 ml of test medium, covered with a Petri dish, and aged in a heating cabinet (standard: 40 °C ± 2 °C for 2 ± 0.25 h; optional 60 °C).

Linear rubbing method:

Wool felt or cotton cloth soaked with 0.5 ± 0.1 ml of test medium is rubbed against the leather for defined cycles.

Procedure A follows ISO 11640; Procedure B follows ISO 20433.

Test Media

Standard formulations, for example:

Test medium A: 70% ethanol (v/v)

Test medium B: mixture of water, ethanol, 2-propanol, benzalkonium chloride, glycerine

Test medium C: composition agreed upon by supplier/customer

Specimen Conditioning & Cleanup

Precondition specimens per ISO 2419.

Post-test cleaning and reconditioning for at least 16 h at 23 ± 2 °C and 50 ± 5% RH before evaluation.

Evaluation

Visual and, if necessary, instrumental assessment against untreated reference areas using grey scales (ISO 105-A02 / A03).

Annex provides a visual evaluation scheme.

Equipment & Consumables

Pipettes (±0.1 ml), Petri dishes, glass plates

Wool felt, ISO-specified cotton rubbing cloth

Heating cabinet with air circulation

Chemicals: ethanol, 2-propanol, benzalkonium chloride, glycerine

Applications and Users

Leather manufacturers, tanneries, footwear and upholstery producers

Quality control and testing laboratories

Material specifiers and product development teams

Ensures leather products retain appearance and resist staining, bronzing, or colour transfer from sanitizers and cleaning agents

Useful for product claims, supplier agreements, and regulatory compliance

Related Standards

ISO 11640 – Colour fastness to to-and-fro rubbing

ISO 20433 – Colour fastness to crocking

ISO 2419 – Specimen conditioning

ISO 105-A02 / A03 – Grey scales for colour change and staining

ISO 105-F09 – Cotton rubbing cloth

ISO 7906 – General principles of colour fastness testing

Qinsun Instruments is a professional instrument equipment manufacturer, providing one-stop solutions for all leather testing and laboratory needs.

2026-01-07 18:04