ISO 16190:2021

Overview

ISO 16190:2021 - Footwear - Test method to quantitatively determine polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in footwear materials - specifies a laboratory method for measuring PAHs in footwear and footwear components. The standard defines sample preparation, extraction, analytical instrumentation and reporting requirements to quantify relevant PAHs that can be present in soles, linings, adhesives and other footwear materials. It complements material lists in ISO/TR 16178:2021 and supports regulatory and brand restricted substances lists (RSLs), including references to EU REACH restrictions (Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 and amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1513).

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and purpose: Quantitative determination of PAHs in footwear and components.
• Principle: Ultrasonic extraction of the test sample with toluene at about 60 °C for 1 hour, followed by analysis by GC‑MS or GC‑MS/MS.
• Target analytes: A list of up to 24 relevant PAHs (e.g., benzo[a]pyrene, chrysene, benzo[b]fluoranthene) is provided; laboratories decide which PAHs to determine based on need.
• Reagents and standards: Use of analytical‑grade toluene, certified PAH stock solutions and deuterated internal standards (e.g., naphthalene‑d8, pyrene‑d10, chrysene‑d12) to ensure accurate quantification.
• Calibration and quality control: Preparation of multi‑point calibration solutions, internal standard working solutions and extraction solution with internal standard.
• Apparatus: Standard laboratory glassware, ultrasonic bath, filtration (PTFE 0.45 µm), amber vials and GC‑MS or GC‑MS/MS instrumentation.
• Procedure elements: Sample dismantling by material type, controlled storage (dark, 18–25 °C), extraction, optional solid‑phase extraction (SPE) clean‑up, chromatographic determination and expression of results (individual PAH concentrations and optional sum of PAHs).
• Safety: Toluene and PAHs are hazardous; follow occupational health and environmental safety measures.

Applications and users

• Who uses it: Footwear manufacturers, independent testing and analytical laboratories, compliance teams, retailers and regulatory bodies.
• Why it’s used: To demonstrate compliance with chemical regulations and brand RSLs, to assess consumer safety risks from carcinogenic PAHs, and to support product certification and market access.
• Practical value: Provides a validated, harmonized test method for consistent PAH measurement across supply chains, aiding product safety assessment and regulatory reporting.

Related standards and references

• ISO/TR 16178:2021 - list of relevant footwear materials (Table 1).
• ISO/TS 16190:2013 - previous technical specification replaced by this edition.
• EU REACH (Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006) and amendment Regulation (EU) 2018/1513 - regulatory context for restricted PAHs.

Keywords: ISO 16190:2021, PAHs, footwear testing, GC‑MS, GC‑MS/MS, toluene extraction, internal standards, restricted substances list (RSL), REACH compliance.