Regulations and Marking

Knowing the marking used on protective footwear is essential to properly choose the desired footwear.

Depending on the levels of protection, shoes can be classified into two categories:

  • Security shoes: It has a toe cap against impacts and crushing, of at least 200 Joules, and resists a pressure of 15 kN, according to the European Standard UNE-EN ISO 20345.
  • Work footwear: It does not have a toe cap for protection and crushing, according to the European Standard UNE-EN ISO 20347.

 

The different classes of footwear according to current regulations.

 

Category EN ISO 20345 requirements
SB Indicates that the footwear meets the basic requirements for resistance and protection of the fingers.
S1 It indicates that the footwear meets the basic requirements (SB), in addition to having a closed back, being antistatic (A), absorbing energy in the heel area (E) and being resistant to hydrocarbons (FO).
S2 Indicates that the footwear meets the requirements of category S1, in addition to offering resistance to penetration and water absorption in the upper area (shoe cut)
S3 Indicates that the footwear meets the requirements of the S2 category in addition to offering resistance to perforation of the sole, sole with projections.
S4 It indicates that the footwear meets the requirements of the S3 category, in addition to having a closed back, antistatic properties, energy absorption in the heel area and resistance to hydrocarbons.
S5 Indicates that the footwear meets the requirements of the S4 category, in addition to offering puncture resistance and a raised sole.

 

Additional requirements
P Footwear includes metal or textile insoles resistant to 1100 N perforation
C Conductive footwear: designed to dissipate electrostatic charges. Its electrical resistance is 0 to 100 kilo ohms.
A Antistatic footwear: its function is to dissipate electrostatic charges. Its electrical resistance is 100 to 1.000 kilo ohms.
HI Sole resistance to heat up to 150º C.
CI Insulation against the cold of the sole down to -17º C.
E Absorption of energy in the heel area. This area of ​​the footwear must be capable of absorbing a minimum of 20 J. energy.
WR Water resistant footwear.
WRU Cut resistant to penetration and water absorption.
M Metatarsal protection. The footwear includes additional metatarsal protection.
AN Protection of the malleolus. The footwear includes additional ankle protection.
CR Cut resistance.
HRO Resistance to heat by contact 300º C.
FO Outsole resistant to oils and hydrocarbons.

 

 

Professional, safety, protective and work footwear must meet one of the following slip resistance requirements

Slip resistance requirements
SRA Slip resistance on ceramic tile floors with sodium lauryl sulfate.
SRB Slip resistance on steel floor with glycerine
CRS (CRS + SRB) Slip resistance on ceramic tile with sodium lauryl sulfate and on steel floor with glycerin.