Footwear Testing

Footwear Testing and Inspection for Brands and Retailers

Footwear failures - cracked soles, weak seams, poor colorfastness, or restricted chemicals - quickly become returns, chargebacks, and safety recalls. Brands and retailers need reliable footwear testing and inspection to verify quality before shipments leave the factory.

QIMA supports footwear programs with in-lab testing, chemical testing, and on-site inspection services that check materials, construction, performance, and regulatory compliance for the destination market.

Footwear Testing Tailored to the Footwear Industry

Footwear covers a wide range of materials, construction methods, and end uses. That variety makes footwear testing highly specialized, especially where safety, comfort, and regulatory compliance are required.

QIMA supports the quality and safety of every type of footwear, including fashion and formal shoes, athletic footwear, specialized and professional footwear, and children's shoes.

Physical and Mechanical Footwear Testing

Physical and mechanical footwear testing checks that shoes hold up in real use - bonds stay intact, heels stay attached, and components resist normal wear.

QIMA's footwear testing protocol includes the following tests:

• Sole bonding, seat piece, and sockliner adhesion

• Heel and outsole flexibility

• Heel attachment strength (high heels)

• Pull tests for components and accessories

• Symmetry check

• Color shading

• Colorfastness check (Rub test)

• Odor test

• Fasteners fatigue and zip quality test

• Size fitting test

• Weight test

• Care labeling

• Barcode scanning test

• Mold contamination prevention

• Metal contamination prevention

• Adhesive check (logos, printings, markings fastness)

• Waterproof test

Footwear Chemical Testing and Lab Testing

Footwear chemical testing and lab testing verify that shoes meet consumer safety, restricted substance, and market-specific regulatory requirements.

QIMA's footwear testing lab supports chemical, safety, and durability requirements for your destination market. Available tests include:

• Harmful substances

• Fiber identification

• Banned azo colorants

• Colorfastness check (CF to light, ozone, burnt gas fumes, phenolic yellowing perspiration, water, bleach)

• North America chemical testing

• Weather testing

• Corrosion

• Slip resistance

• Sole wearing resistance

• Sole abrasion testing

• Velcro testing

• CPSIA testing

• REACH testing

• Antibacterial and antimicrobial testing

• Formaldehyde testing

• Chromium (VI) testing

• Pentachlorophenol (PCP) testing

• Dimethylfumarate testing

• Shedding propensity

• Stitching reinforcement strength

• Shoe lace strength and durability

Certifications for the Footwear Industry

QIMA offers certification options for footwear that helps you demonstrate product quality and responsible manufacturing:

In-house / fit-for-use quality and test marks

Footwear Inspection Services

Footwear inspection helps you catch quality issues before shipments leave the factory. Working alongside footwear testing, on-site inspection verifies that finished goods match specifications, workmanship standards, and packaging requirements.

QIMA footwear inspection services can be scheduled during production, before shipment, and at container loading, depending on how you want to control risk in your supply chain.

• Confirmation of quantity, style, and size assortment

• Workmanship checks against your specification

• Verification of packaging, labeling, and barcode compliance

• Visual and functional checks on components such as soles, uppers, and closures

• Sampling against AQL levels agreed with the buyer

Footwear Testing and Inspection FAQs

What is footwear testing?

Footwear testing evaluates shoes against physical, mechanical, and chemical requirements to check that they perform in real use and meet regulatory expectations for the destination market.

What is the difference between footwear testing and footwear inspection?

Footwear testing checks how a shoe performs against physical, mechanical, and chemical standards, typically in a lab. Footwear inspection is an on-site check of finished goods to confirm quantity, workmanship, packaging, and specification compliance.

What does footwear chemical testing cover?

Footwear chemical testing typically covers restricted substances and market-specific requirements such as harmful substances, banned azo colorants, formaldehyde, chromium (VI), pentachlorophenol (PCP), dimethylfumarate, REACH, and CPSIA.

Where does QIMA carry out footwear lab testing?

QIMA supports footwear brands across major sourcing regions in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. For lab availability by product type, contact the QIMA team.

When should I schedule a footwear inspection?

Footwear inspection can be scheduled during production, before shipment, or at container loading, depending on how you want to manage risk before goods leave the factory.

Can QIMA test and inspect athletic and children’s footwear?

Yes. The current page states that QIMA supports fashion and formal shoes, athletic footwear, specialized and professional footwear, and children’s shoes.