EN ISO 20345:2022

The new standard for safety footwear explained

Standards for PPE products are regularly reviewed and adapted when necessary. This is also the case for EN ISO 20345. Until June 2022, the 2011 version of the standard was in place. From then on, the updated 2022 standard came into effect.

Certificates do not expire when a standard is updated. This means the certificates of all shoes certified to EN ISO 20345:2011 remain valid until their expiration date (which is 5 years from the date of issue).

Did you know...

that the EN ISO 20345 standard has changed since 2022?

Slip resistance

EN ISO 20345:2011
Slip resistance had three different ratings: SRA, SRB and SRC.
  • SRA outsoles were tested on a ceramic floor wetted with a soap solution. SRB outsoles were tested on a steel surface wetted with an oily solution (glycerin).
  • SRC outsoles passed both the SRA + SRB test.
EN ISO 20345:2022
The slip-resistance test on a ceramic floor with a soap solution is from now on a basic requirement for all safety shoes, so no marking will be added. An extra slip-resistant test on a ceramic floor with glycerin (an oily solution) can be carried out as an additional requirement and will be marked SR.

Puncture resistance

EN ISO 20345:2011
P was marking puncture resistance.
EN ISO 20345:2022
The P marking is now used only for metallic midsoles. Shoes with non-metallic midsoles (fabric or nonwoven midsoles) are now marked PL or L / PS or S, depending on the type of nail.
  • PL or L = puncture test passed with a nail of 4,5mm
  • PS or S = puncture test passed with a nail of 3mm

Fuel & oil resistance



This is no longer a mandatory requirement. If the outsole is fuel & oil resistant, it is marked FO.

New categories

New S6 & S7 categories: to identify safety shoes that are completely waterproof thanks to a membrane.
  • The S6 label corresponds to an S2 WR shoe.
  • The S7 label corresponds to an S3 WR shoe.

WRU becomes WPA

Shoes with a water-resistant upper are now marked as WPA. WPA refers to the water penetration and absorption tests that are performed to determine the water resistance of the upper.

New additional features


  • SC: abrasion resistance of the scuff cap.
  • LG: adequate grip on a ladder.

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