Shoe and Allied Trade Research Association
Encyclopedia
SATRA originally stood for the Shoe and Allied Trade Association as it had its roots in the footwear industry, but has since diversified to become a specialist in testing of consumer products.
SATRA played a role in the successful expedition to the top of Mount Everest
in 1953 in which Sir Edmund Hillary, along with Tenzing Norgay
, became the first person to 'stand on top of the world'. In 1952, SATRA was approached by The British Expedition to produce 34 pairs of boots to meet the challenge of climbing in one of the most inhospitable environments on the planet. The boots were designed to provide a high level of thermal insulation for use in high altitude and saw a combination of inner vapour barrier, mesh insoles and an integrated rubber outer gaiter: the water resistant vapour barrier’s inner layer stopped the boots becoming soaked with sweat then freezing; the mesh insole allowed sweat to disperse from the socks; the outer gaiter prevented melting snow soaking in to the boot itself. In addition, there were five layers of kapok, a natural hollow fibre and a forerunner of synthetic versions. The boot lasting technique helped prevent compression of the vital insulation material and microcellular resin soles further improved insulation and decreased weight. The end result was boots that weighed only 4 lb 4oz and a successful expedition in which no-one who wore the boots got frostbite – a remarkable achievement.
SATRA is now the world’s leading research and technology centre of its kind and employs more than 180 scientific, technical and support staff in the UK and China. It is a leading authority on international legislation and testing, and the technical aspects of a wide range of consumer products including footwear, leathergoods, apparel, toys, safety products, furniture, floorcoverings, construction products, and homeware. Many of its test methods become industry standards and its production efficiency and accreditation systems are unrivalled. It also houses a well equipped chemical analysis laboratory, with new equipment recently installed to meet the rising demand for restricted substances
testing with fast results.
SATRA's objective is to help its customers increase their global competitiveness. It provides support and expertise throughout the whole supply chain, from product research and development, material and component evaluation, quality assurance
, manufacturing efficiency, to testing and certification, for example CE marking.
SATRA is a Notified Body
for the EU Directives on personal protective equipment, toys, medical devices and construction products. It has a membership base of approximately 1,600 companies in over 70 countries.
SATRA has a modern purpose built facility with excellent communication links located near Kettering in the UK.
SATRA played a role in the successful expedition to the top of Mount Everest
Mount Everest
Mount Everest is the world's highest mountain, with a peak at above sea level. It is located in the Mahalangur section of the Himalayas. The international boundary runs across the precise summit point...
in 1953 in which Sir Edmund Hillary, along with Tenzing Norgay
Tenzing Norgay
Padma Bhushan, Supradipta-Manyabara-Nepal-Tara Tenzing Norgay, GM born Namgyal Wangdi and often referred to as Sherpa Tenzing, was a Nepalese Sherpa mountaineer...
, became the first person to 'stand on top of the world'. In 1952, SATRA was approached by The British Expedition to produce 34 pairs of boots to meet the challenge of climbing in one of the most inhospitable environments on the planet. The boots were designed to provide a high level of thermal insulation for use in high altitude and saw a combination of inner vapour barrier, mesh insoles and an integrated rubber outer gaiter: the water resistant vapour barrier’s inner layer stopped the boots becoming soaked with sweat then freezing; the mesh insole allowed sweat to disperse from the socks; the outer gaiter prevented melting snow soaking in to the boot itself. In addition, there were five layers of kapok, a natural hollow fibre and a forerunner of synthetic versions. The boot lasting technique helped prevent compression of the vital insulation material and microcellular resin soles further improved insulation and decreased weight. The end result was boots that weighed only 4 lb 4oz and a successful expedition in which no-one who wore the boots got frostbite – a remarkable achievement.
SATRA is now the world’s leading research and technology centre of its kind and employs more than 180 scientific, technical and support staff in the UK and China. It is a leading authority on international legislation and testing, and the technical aspects of a wide range of consumer products including footwear, leathergoods, apparel, toys, safety products, furniture, floorcoverings, construction products, and homeware. Many of its test methods become industry standards and its production efficiency and accreditation systems are unrivalled. It also houses a well equipped chemical analysis laboratory, with new equipment recently installed to meet the rising demand for restricted substances
Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive
The Directive on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment 2002/95/EC was adopted in February 2003 by the European Union. The RoHS directive took effect on 1 July 2006, and is required to be enforced and become law in each member state...
testing with fast results.
SATRA's objective is to help its customers increase their global competitiveness. It provides support and expertise throughout the whole supply chain, from product research and development, material and component evaluation, quality assurance
Quality Assurance
Quality assurance, or QA for short, is the systematic monitoring and evaluation of the various aspects of a project, service or facility to maximize the probability that minimum standards of quality are being attained by the production process...
, manufacturing efficiency, to testing and certification, for example CE marking.
SATRA is a Notified Body
Notified Body
A Notified Body, in the European Union, is an organisation that has been accredited by a Member State to assess whether a product meets certain preordained standards. Assessment can include inspection and examination of a product, its design and manufacture...
for the EU Directives on personal protective equipment, toys, medical devices and construction products. It has a membership base of approximately 1,600 companies in over 70 countries.
SATRA has a modern purpose built facility with excellent communication links located near Kettering in the UK.