ISO 2418-2023 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 2418:2023 — Leather — Chemical, physical, mechanical and fastness tests — Position and preparation of specimens for testing. This standard specifies the position of laboratory test specimens within a piece of leather, methods of labelling and marking specimens for identification, the design of press knives for cutting test pieces and the procedures for preparing test pieces. It is applicable to leathers derived from mammals and is not intended for leathers from birds, fish, reptiles or for furs.

Abstract

The document sets out uniform requirements for selecting and marking specimen locations on a hide or leather piece, for specimen identification, and for the mechanical tooling and cutting procedures used to obtain reproducible test pieces used in chemical, physical, mechanical and fastness tests. Its aim is to ensure comparability of test results between laboratories and across material types of mammalian leather.

General information

• Status: Published.
• Publication date: 6 February 2023 (ISO edition published in 2023).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 59.140.30 (Leather and furs).
• Edition / version: Edition 4 (ISO 2418:2023, revising the previous edition).
• Number of pages: 10 (published PDF ~10 pages).

Scope

ISO 2418:2023 applies to the selection, marking and preparation of laboratory test specimens taken from mammalian leather for chemical, physical, mechanical and fastness testing. It defines specimen positioning within a hide or leather piece, marking and identification conventions, press‑knife design for cutting specimens and preparation methods for producing representative and reproducible test pieces. It excludes leather derived from birds, fish, reptiles and furs.

Key topics and requirements

• Standardized specimen location rules to ensure representative sampling across different parts of a hide.
• Marking and labelling conventions for permanent identification of test specimens.
• Design guidance for press knives and cutting tools to obtain consistent specimen geometry.
• Procedures for cutting, handling and conditioning test pieces prior to chemical, physical, mechanical and fastness tests.
• Applicability limited to mammalian leather; exclusions for avian, piscine, reptilian leathers and furs.

Typical use and users

Used by leather test laboratories, tanneries, quality assurance and R&D departments, certification bodies and standards organizations to ensure that specimens used in laboratory testing are taken, marked and prepared in a consistent way so test results are comparable between laboratories and over time.

Related standards

ISO 2418:2023 is part of the suite of ISO/IULTCS leather test standards. Closely related documents include standards on specimen preparation and conditioning (for example ISO 2419 and related leather test methods such as tensile, tear and color‑fastness test standards). These companion standards define specific test methods and specimen conditioning that complement the specimen‑positioning and preparation rules given in ISO 2418.

Keywords

leather; specimen preparation; sampling location; press knife design; test specimen marking; chemical tests; physical tests; mechanical tests; fastness tests; IULTCS; ISO 2418

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 2418:2023 is an international standard that defines where and how to take, mark and prepare laboratory test specimens from mammalian leather for chemical, physical, mechanical and fastness testing.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers specimen location on a hide or leather piece, labelling and marking conventions, the design of cutting/press knives and the procedures for producing reproducible test pieces for a range of leather test methods. It does not cover leather from birds, fish, reptiles or furs.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Leather testing laboratories, tannery quality and R&D teams, certification and conformity assessment bodies, and standards developers use it to ensure consistency and comparability of test specimens and subsequent test results.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: Current — ISO 2418:2023 (edition 4) was published in 2023 and replaces the earlier ISO 2418:2017 edition, which has been withdrawn.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is part of the broader family of ISO leather test standards (ISO/IULTCS) that cover specimen preparation, conditioning and specific test methods (tensile, tear, color fastness, chemical determinations, etc.). Use ISO 2418 together with the relevant method‑specific standards for complete test procedures.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Leather, specimen location, specimen preparation, sampling, marking, press knife, test piece, fastness, mechanical tests, chemical tests.