EN ISO 20345:2022 + A1:2024: Understanding the UK’s core footwear standard
Within the UK and Europe, EN ISO 20345:2022 + A1:2024 specifies the basic and additional requirements that all safety footwear must meet to be certified for workplace use.
Basic essential requirements: Protective toecaps & slip resistance
All safety footwear certified to EN ISO 20345:2022 + A1:2024 must include a protective toecap and pass a slip resistance test.
The protective toecap must withstand:
- 200 joules of impact protection – the equivalent of a 20kg weight dropped from one metre, protecting against falling tools and materials.
- 15,000 newtons of compression resistance – safeguarding against heavy loads and risk of being crushed.
In addition, footwear must pass a slip resistance test. Products carrying the SR marking offer enhanced grip, having been tested on ceramic tiles with a lubricating solution. Slip performance is measured at both the heel and the forepart.
For industries where wet, oily, or uneven floors are part of the job, SR-rated footwear provides crucial protection against one of the most common workplace hazards.
Perforation Resistance
Perforation resistance protects against sharp objects; the protective midsole is used to guard feet from penetration by nails or other sharp items. On construction sites, in recycling plants or anywhere sharp objects could be underfoot, perforation resistant midsoles are essential. EN ISO 20345:2022 + A1:2024 recognises three different types:
- P — Steel inserts, tested with a 4.5mm nail at 1,100 newtons of force.
- PL — Composite inserts, tested with a 4.5mm nail at 1,100 newtons.
- PS — Composite inserts, tested with a 3mm nail at 1,100 newtons (stricter test for smaller, sharper risks).
This classification ensures workers are protected from puncture injuries caused by nails, shards or other sharp debris.
Beyond the basics
In addition to the essential requirements, there are numerous optional classifications that address specific workplace hazards and performance needs:
- A – Antistatic
- AN – Ankle protection
- C – Electrical resistance
- CI – Insulation against cold
- CR – Cut-resistant upper
- E – Energy absorption of the seat region
- FO – Fuel oil-resistant outsole
- HI – Insulation against heat
- HRO – Heat-resistant outsole
- M – Metatarsal protection
- P / PL / PS – Perforation resistance
- WR – Water-resistant footwear (class 1 only)
- WRU – Water-resistant upper leather (class 1 only)
- WPA – Water penetration and absorption
- SC – Abrasion resistance of optional overcaps
- SR – Slip resistance on ceramic tile floors with glycerol
Summary
EN ISO 20345:2022 + A1:2024 is the foundation of safety footwear standards across the UK and Europe. When selecting footwear, it is important to match the classification to the risks present in your workplace. By understanding these requirements, you can make informed choices to keep your team safe.
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