EN ISO 20345 has been updated in 2022 with new protection requirements for footwear.
Among the most notable changes are: the addition of 5 new optional protection requirements, moving slip resistance to the list of mandatory requirements and major changes to the testing and marking of water-resistant pairs of footwear.
It is important to know that manufacturers can continue production according to EN ISO 20345:2011 until November 11, 2024. After this date, all old certifications will expire within 5 years and the protective footwear will have to be recertified according to the requirements of EN ISO 20345:2022.
At Rhino Safety, our top priority is the safety of employees in hazardous work environments. That’s why we want an increasing percentage of the Exena footwear that leaves our factory gates from 2024 onwards to tick all the new standard’s requirements.
What are the most important changes brought by EN ISO 20345:2022?
It is important to note that most of the basic requirements are the same for both the 2011 and the updated standard. However, there are a number of changes designed to increase the safety of those wearing protective footwear and simplify the understanding of the standards.
Slip resistance – the most important change
According to the 2011 standard, footwear that passed the slip resistance test on ceramic tiles coated with sodium lauryl sulphate (detergent) was marked ‘SRA’. Similarly, footwear marked ‘SRB’ passed the slip test on glycerine-coated steel surfaces. Protective footwear that passed both slip tests was marked ‘SRC’ as we know it.
According to EN ISO 20345:2022, the standards “SRA”, “SRB”, “SRC” are no longer used. Instead, all protective footwear labeled with the new standard must necessarily demonstrate slip resistance on SLS (foamed detergent) coated ceramic tiles.
Optionally, slip can be tested on a glycerine-coated ceramic plate, and shoes that pass this optional test will be marked with SR (Slip Resistance).
Protective footwear can be labeled ‘SR’ if it also passes a slip test on a ceramic plate to which glycerine has been applied. Products with this standard of protection replace those with ‘SRC’ certification under the 2011 standard.
5 new optional protection requirements
- LG (Ladder grip): The outer sole of all types of protective footwear must have a transverse profile with a height of at least 1.5 mm in the ankle area to ensure grip on ladders. In the previous standard, this requirement was only included for firefighters’ footwear. It has now been taken over as an additional stand-alone test for all protective footwear and is indicated by the ‘LG’ marking.
- WPA (Water penetration and absorption resistance)
- The old standard EN ISO 20345:2011 included the ‘WRU’ marking for footwear with a water-resistant upper. However, this marking did not indicate that the footwear was waterproof, as the test allowed up to 3 cm³ water penetration.
- Under the new standard in 2022, WRU has been replaced by WPA. “WPA” now indicates the ability of protective footwear to allow some “water penetration and absorption”. Footwear marked “WPA” provides some breathability and can be used in working conditions that do not require the feet to be immersed in water.
- Also, the “WR” (water resistant) protection standard is based on the same water penetration test from 2011, but the interpretation of the results is different. In order for the ‘WR’ marking to be correct, the 2022 standard states that no water penetration must be detected inside the footwear, whereas the 2011 test allowed up to 3 cm³ of water penetration, so the new WR standard is stricter. To equalize the standards, a previous S2 model with WR now becomes S6 and a previous S3 model with WR becomes S7.
- SC (Toe Abrasion Protection): the SC protection standard marks footwear with proven toe abrasion resistance capabilities after 8000 Martindale test cycles.
- SR (Slip Resistance on Glycerol Plates): Detailed above in the section on slip resistance.
- FO (Hydrocarbon Resistance): Although it is not a new protection requirement and has no changes in testing, the hydrocarbon resistance of the sole has become optional with the introduction of the new standard.
2 new protection classes – S6 and S7
While the old standard divided protective footwear into 6 classes (SB, S1, S2, S3, S3, S4, S5), this number has now increased to 8 (S6 and S7 have been added).
The two new protection classes are used to mark footwear with superior water resistance properties, according to the new “WR” certification (see section above on water resistance). So we can see the new categories straight away:
- S6 = S2 + WR
- S7 = S3 + WR
In addition, the new grades may be followed by ‘P’, ‘L’ (or ‘PL’) and ‘S’ (or ‘PS’) to indicate increased puncture resistance, as certified ‘P’, ‘PL’ and ‘PS’, where:
- PL = puncture resistance tested with a 4.5mm diameter nail
- PS = puncture resistance tested with a 3.0mm diameter nail
With the new changes, protection classes S1PL, S1PS, S3L, S3S, S5L, S5S, S7L, S7S for footwear with non-metallic anti-puncture siped soles have been introduced.
Exena. Protective footwear standard in Romania
All Exena items are manufactured to meet the most rigorous protection standards. Out of respect for you, our customers and Rhino Safety partners, our aim is to ensure that we put on the market the most modern and quality pairs of protective footwear in Romania.
If you have any questions or concerns about the new standard, do not hesitate to contact us.
