EN ISO 20345: Mandatory Basic Requirements and Changes of the 2022 Revision

Before discussing codes like S1, S2 or S3 - which we have already explained in detail in ourarticle on safety footwear codes -, it is useful to understand something more basic: what the EN ISO 20345 standard really requires from any footwear, regardless of the additional code it carries. All these codes are built on a common foundation of mandatory requirements, and this foundation is precisely what the standard itself regulates.

Moreover, the standard is not static: in 2022 an important revision was published that introduced changes in slip testing and several markings, replacing the 2011 version. In this article we explain what EN ISO 20345 requires as a foundation, what changed in the 2022 update, and how it differs from its sister standard, EN ISO 20346.

WHAT DOES THE EN ISO 20345 STANDARD REQUIRE AS A BASIC REQUIREMENT?

In order for a shoe to be called a "safety shoe" and receive at least the SB (Safety Basic) marking, it must pass these mandatory requirements:

• Impact resistance of 200 joules in the toecap, equivalent to the fall of a 20 kg object from approximately 1 metre in height.
• Compression resistance of 15 kilonewtons, equivalent to an approximate load of 1.5 tonnes on the toecap.
• Minimum internal length in the toecap area, depending on the shoe size.
• Corrosion resistance in steel toecaps, or appropriate behaviour against heat and chemicals in non-metallic material toecaps.
• Resistance and non-toxicity of materials used in sole and upper.

Look in our catalogue for some certified models with these characteristics.

Everything that comes after - S1, S2, S3, S6, S7 and their variants - adds additional requirements to this common foundation, as we detail in our article dedicated to these codes.

THE CHANGES OF THE EN ISO 20345: 2022 REVISION

The EN ISO 20345:2022 version replaced the 2011 one, introducing changes that are useful to know if you compare old and new data sheets:

New mandatory slip test

The slip test on ceramic tile with detergent (previously marked as SRA, optional) becomes a mandatory basic requirement for all safety footwear. As a result, the old independent SRA marking disappears: if the footwear also passes the test on steel with glycerin, it is now simply marked as SR (Slip Resistant), replacing the old SRA/SRB/SRC system.

New anti-perforation resistance markings

For non-metallic insoles, the standard now distinguishes according to the diameter of the punch used in the test: PL marking (4.5 mm punch) or PS (3 mm punch), providing more precise information on the type of perforation risk covered.

WPA replaces WRU

The old marking for water absorption and penetration resistance in the upper (WRU) is replaced by WPA, with an updated test method.

S3 with stricter requirements

The S3 category now mandatorily implies a steel insole and upper with WPA marking, and also features variants such as S3L and S3S (same S3 protection but with textile insole of different punch diameter, instead of metal insole).

Discover the featured model S3 Safety Boot GORE-TEX S3+SRC+CI+WR FAL SEGURIDAD

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EN ISO 20345 AND EN ISO 20346

Both the EN ISO 20345 and EN ISO 20346 standards regulate footwear with toe protection, but with a different level of requirement: EN ISO 20345 ("safety footwear") requires that the toecap withstands 200 joules of impact and 15 kN of compression; EN ISO 20346 ("protective footwear") requires a lower level of resistance in the toecap, designed for more moderate mechanical risks. When in doubt, always review the manufacturer's data sheet to confirm under which exact standard the model is certified.

WHEN DO THESE REQUIREMENTS APPLY?

• Any safety footwear with S marking (S1 to S7) must comply, at a minimum, with the basic SB requirements described above.
• Sectors with habitual slip risk (hospitality, food industry, floors with oil or water): pay special attention to the new SR marking after the 2022 revision.
• Purchase of footwear by catalogue or old data sheet: verify whether the certification corresponds to the 2011 or 2022 version of the standard, as slip and perforation markings have changed.
• Replacement of old safety footwear: this is a good time to check whether the new model certified under the 2022 version offers additional markings (SR, PL/PS, WPA) that the previous model did not have.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

1. What does the SB marking mean on safety footwear?

It is the base level of the EN ISO 20345 standard: toecap resistant to 200 joules of impact and 15 kN of compression, without any additional requirements from codes S1 to S7.

2. Why don't I see the SRA marking on new footwear anymore?

Because the EN ISO 20345:2022 revision turned this slip test into a mandatory basic requirement for all safety footwear, eliminating the independent SRA marking; the new combined marking is SR.

3. What is the difference between PL and PS?

Both indicate perforation resistance with non-metallic insole, but tested with different punch diameters: PL with 4.5 mm and PS with 3 mm, providing more specific information on the type of risk covered.

4. Is EN ISO 20345 the same as EN ISO 20346?

No. EN ISO 20345 requires higher impact and compression resistance in the toecap (200 J / 15 kN); EN ISO 20346 has a lower level of requirement, designed for more moderate mechanical risks.

5. Does my old safety footwear become invalid with the 2022 revision?

Not automatically; footwear already manufactured and certified under the previous version remains valid during its useful life. The revision affects the certification of models manufactured from its entry into force.

ALWAYS VERIFY THE VERSION OF THE STANDARD ON YOUR SAFETY FOOTWEAR

Not every safety footwear data sheet reflects the latest changes to the standard. At Sekureco you will find work footwear certified under EN ISO 20345, with markings updated according to the current revision.

Consult our Work Footwear collection and always verify under which version of the standard the model is certified before purchasing.