Safety standards focus for SATRA at the APLF

The global implications of new safety standards for footwear sold in Europe will be emphasised by SATRA at the Asia Pacific Leather Fair (APLF) in Hong Kong in March. The UK technology centre will be demonstrating the SATRA-manufactured Bally permeometer which is called up in the new EN ISO 20344 as part of the test for the water uptake on insole boards. Four new standards (EN 20344-5-6-7) were agreed this year by the International Standards Organisation (ISO) and the Committee for European Normalisation (CEN). They involve major changes to reflect new manufacturing methods and test procedures. As a result, resourcers and manufacturers from South-East Asia, where most footwear is made, need to be aware of new criteria expectations for safety and performance. SATRA deputy chief executive Richard Turner, who chairs both the CEN and ISO committees, will be on hand to explain the changes in detail. Additional staff members will explain the benefits of joining SATRA - membership currently stands at 1,500 in 70 countries - plus developments in research and the laboratory accreditation services SATRA can offer on a global basis. The 2004 version of VisionStitch, the centre's stitching improvement system now widely used in Asia, will be available via a PC presentation. Many investors in this system have already improved stitching operator output by up to 20%. Also explained will be Q, a line balancing system which can add to the benefits of VisionStitch. Q can display the progress of work throughout a defined process path and identify bottlenecks which disrupt workflow.