A shoe testing machine operates at the Wenling Shared Laboratory for Footwear Products. [Photo/Tide News]

Two companies based in Wenling, a county-level city in Taizhou, Zhejiang province, have helped develop international standards for screw threads and footwear testing, potentially boosting the competitiveness of local manufacturers.

Zhejiang Mekol Tools led the revision of ISO 965‑5:2025 on metric screw‑thread tolerances. Working with experts from China, Japan, the United States, Germany, Britain, and Italy, it fixed size flaws in hot‑dip galvanized internal threads and expanded applicable thread‑diameter coverage. Countries including Germany, Britain, and France have adopted the updated standard, improving cross‑border part compatibility and lowering technical trade barriers.

Sinolight Inspection and Certification (Zhejiang) developed the world's first ISO standard for footwear organic‑solvent residue testing. It completed over 1,000 cross‑border comparative trials with global partners. The firm has led or participated in the formulation of 26 national and industry standards and co‑designed functional school shoes. One mosquito‑repellent shoe model sold more than 30,000 pairs in its launch year, priced at roughly 150 yuan ($22.47) per pair.

It has served more than 1,900 local enterprises and helped 2,400‑plus manufacturers boost standard‑related awareness and standardize production workflows.

Wenling market regulators will ramp up policy support and talent training to extend international, high‑end standards to more small and medium‑sized enterprises.