Complete ISO 20345 overview (2024)

FAQs

What does EN ISO 20345 mean? ›

The standard EN ISO 20345 defines both the basic and additional requirements for safety shoes for commercial use. Footwear in accordance with EN ISO 20345 is intended to protect the wearer from bumps, crushing, falling or rolling objects, from walking into sharp or pointed objects, heat or cold, and hot substances.

The EN ISO 20345:2022 standard for safety footwear was updated in 2022. This supersedes the previous 2011 update (which will remain in place until Q1 of 2024). Changes have been made in a number of areas – ranging from the requirements that footwear must meet to the test methods themselves.

EN ISO 20344:2011 and EN ISO 20345:2011 are the latest revisions of the well established 203244 series of footwear standards, with EN ISO 20344 providing generic test methods and EN ISO 20345 detailing performance requirements for safety footwear incorporating 200J toe caps.

EN ISO-20345 – S1 Rating

A safety boots with an ISO 20345:2011- S1 rating. An S1 rating indicates protection against a range of hazards; protection for the toes and foot against impacts and crushes, antistatic properties, and energy absorption in the heel.

S2 safety shoes have all the characteristics of the S1 category, but also have an additional feature. The upper material prevents water from being absorbed or prevents water from entering the shoe.

At its most basic level, the EN ISO 20345 standard requires that toe protection must be able to withstand a 200-joule impact. Toe protection includes steel toe caps or lighter alternatives, such as composite or aluminium toe caps. Clothing and climate factors can cause a buildup of static electricity in the body.

While EH footwear directly protects the person, anti-static and ESD footwear is designed ultimately to protect the electrical equipment the person is using - but this does protect the user because faulty electrical equipment can cause shocks and electrocution.

The S1 rating, in addition to 200 joule toe protection, refers to footwear with antistatic properties. The sole is also resistant to fuel oil and has energy absorption in the heel area.

There are 2 MAIN STANDARDS for safety footwear: ASTM 2413 & EN ISO 20345. Besides these 2 main standards, Safety Jogger pays attention to other safety footwear standards as well (AS/NZS, JIS, LA, SNI, SIRIM, GOST, OHSC) but they are generally based on ASTM & ISO, which are explained below.

What is a 200 joule impact? ›

All REBEL Safety Gear toe caps are tested to an impact resistance of 200 Joules. This means that they can withstand a 20kg weight dropping from a height of one metre, or they can also withstand a 2,000kg mass rolling over the toe cap. They protect your feet from being crushed when it counts most.

Footwear complying with BS EN ISO 20349 also offers protection as defined in BS EN 20345. This standard specifies basic and optional requirements for general purpose safety footwear, including slip resistance, mechanical and thermal risks and ergonomic behaviour.

S3-rated footwear has the same protective features as the S2 rating (anti-static properties, fuel oil resistant outsole, energy absorbing heel and water resistant upper) with the addition of midsole penetration protection.

Work boot safety standards require that personnel wear safety footwear at all times. Safety shoes or boots must have a leather upper, non-skid soles, oil resistance and impact and compression resistance ratings of 75. The shoes must also have built-in toe caps to meet requirements.

- The work environment: S1P safety shoes are designed for indoor use, while S3 safety shoes are intended for outside work. - Technical properties: S1P and S3 standards have very similar properties. But, the main difference that we can find on S3 shoes is their high resistance to water and heat.

Safety footwear that is certified according to EN ISO 20345:2011 will continue to have this certification until the certificate expires and the shoes need to be re-certified. The standard is divided into different safety classes, specifying the requirements for protection.

This safety footwear standard requires all safety shoes to have front foot protection against a 200 joule impact. This is the amount of energy the toe region can absorb before breaking. Under the EN ISO 20345 standard there are different safety classes like S1 or S3 for example.

Footwear complying with BS EN ISO 20349 also offers protection as defined in BS EN 20345. This standard specifies basic and optional requirements for general purpose safety footwear, including slip resistance, mechanical and thermal risks and ergonomic behaviour.