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EN ISO 20345 Safety Footwear Standards Explained
Upload Time:
Jul 17, 2026
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EN ISO 20345 Safety Footwear Standards: The Complete Guide for Buyers
If you import, distribute, or specify safety footwear in Europe, you've seen "EN ISO 20345" printed on labels and certificates. But do you actually know what each rating means — and whether you're buying the right protection level for your customers?
This guide breaks down every rating under EN ISO 20345, the test methods behind them, and which industries need which protection level.
1. What Is EN ISO 20345?
EN ISO 20345 is the European harmonized standard for safety footwear. It defines the minimum requirements and test methods for shoes designed to protect the wearer's feet against workplace hazards.
Any safety shoe sold in the EU/EEA market must comply with this standard and carry CE marking. Without it, your goods can be rejected at customs.
Key fact: EN ISO 20345 covers safety footwear (toe cap resisting 200 Joules impact). For protective footwear (100 Joules), the standard is EN ISO 20346. For occupational footwear (no toe protection), it's EN ISO 20347. Don't confuse them.
2. The Rating System: SB → S1 → S1P → S2 → S3 → S4 → S5
Each letter and number represents a set of required features. Higher numbers include all features of the lower levels, plus additional protections.
SB: Basic safety — 200J toe cap only, nothing else
S1: + Closed heel + Antistatic + Energy absorption at heel
S1P: + Puncture-resistant midsole
S2: + Water-resistant upper
S3: + Puncture-proof + Water-resistant + Cleated outsole
S4: Fully molded polymer/rubber boots — 100% waterproof construction
S5: + Puncture-resistant midsole in fully waterproof boots
3. Each Rating in Detail
SB — Safety Basic
Mandatory: 200 Joules impact resistance, 15 kN compression resistance — toe cap only.
SB is the most basic rating. The shoe protects your toes but offers nothing else. No heel support, no anti-static, no slip resistance. Rarely used in professional environments.
Typical use: Light-duty factory work, basic warehouse picking.
S1 — Basic Protection + Antistatic
Adds over SB: Closed heel seat (protects from lateral impacts), antistatic properties (electrical resistance 0.1–1000 MΩ), heel energy absorption (≥ 20 Joules), fuel/oil resistant outsole.
S1 is the entry-level standard for professional safety shoes. The antistatic property is essential for environments with flammable materials or sensitive electronics.
Typical use: Light manufacturing, assembly lines, electronics workshops.
S1P — S1 + Puncture Resistance
Adds over S1: Puncture-resistant midsole (≥ 1,100 Newtons — nail penetration test).
The "P" stands for penetration-resistant midsole. A steel or composite (Kevlar/fiberglass) plate embedded in the sole prevents nails, screws, and sharp debris from piercing through.
Steel midsole: Cheaper, slightly heavier, triggers metal detectors.
Kevlar/composite midsole: Lighter, flexible, non-metallic — preferred for logistics and airports.
Typical use: Construction sites, scrapyards, waste management.
S2 — S1 + Water Resistance
Adds over S1: Water penetration resistance (≤ 2 cm² absorption after 60 min in 2cm water), water vapor permeability ≥ 0.8 mg/(cm²·h) for breathability.
S2 shoes resist water penetration through the upper but are NOT fully waterproof boots. They handle puddles and wet floors, not submersion.
Important: S2 does NOT include puncture resistance. If you need both water resistance AND puncture protection, you need S3.
Typical use: Food processing, wet workshops, outdoor light work.
S3 — Complete Protection
Adds over S2: Puncture-resistant midsole (≥ 1,100N), cleated outsole (lug depth ≥ 2.5mm, harder rubber), sole interlayer bond strength ≥ 4.0 N/mm.
S3 is the most common standard for heavy-duty environments. Full suite: toe protection + antistatic + water resistance + puncture resistance + aggressive tread.
If your customer works construction, mining, or heavy industry, S3 is the default answer.
Typical use: Construction, mining, heavy manufacturing, oil & gas, outdoor industrial work.
S4 — Fully Molded Waterproof Boots
S4 covers fully molded polymer or rubber boots (Wellington-style). Must meet all S1 requirements, but the upper and sole are formed as a single piece — no seams, no stitching, no water entry points.
Key advantage: 100% waterproof construction, suitable for environments where stitched footwear would leak.
Typical use: Agriculture, fishing, chemical handling, food processing wet areas.
S5 — Waterproof Boots + Puncture Protection
S5 is the maximum protection rating for polymer/rubber boots. Same fully molded waterproof construction as S4, but with a puncture-resistant midsole embedded in the sole.
Typical use: Heavy agriculture, fish processing, slaughterhouses, waste management.
4. Rating Comparison Table
SB: Toe 200J ✅ | Heel Support ❌ | Antistatic ❌ | Puncture Proof ❌ | Water Resistant ❌
S1: Toe 200J ✅ | Heel Support ✅ | Antistatic ✅ | Puncture Proof ❌ | Water Resistant ❌
S1P: Toe 200J ✅ | Heel Support ✅ | Antistatic ✅ | Puncture Proof ✅ | Water Resistant ❌
S2: Toe 200J ✅ | Heel Support ✅ | Antistatic ✅ | Puncture Proof ❌ | Water Resistant ✅
S3: Toe 200J ✅ | Heel Support ✅ | Antistatic ✅ | Puncture Proof ✅ | Water Resistant ✅ | Cleated Sole ✅
S4: Toe 200J ✅ | Heel Support ✅ | Antistatic ✅ | Puncture Proof ❌ | Full Waterproof ✅
S5: Toe 200J ✅ | Heel Support ✅ | Antistatic ✅ | Puncture Proof ✅ | Full Waterproof ✅
5. Additional Markings Beyond the Basic Rating
Many safety shoes carry extra codes after the main rating for optional enhanced features:
SRC — Highest slip resistance (SRA ceramic tile + soap + SRB steel + glycerol)
HI — Heat insulation sole (limits temperature rise at 150°C sole contact)
CI — Cold insulation sole (limits temperature drop at -17°C sole contact)
HRO — Heat resistant outsole (300°C contact for 60 seconds, no melting)
E — Energy absorption at heel (≥ 20 Joules, mandatory from S1)
ESD — Electrostatic discharge (stricter 0.1–100 MΩ range)
WR — Whole shoe waterproof (full immersion test)
WRU — Water resistant upper (mandatory in S2, S3)
M — Metatarsal protection (protects top of foot above toe cap)
AN — Ankle protection (extra structure around ankle)
CR — Cut resistant upper (resists chainsaw cuts)
FO — Fuel/oil resistant outsole (mandatory from S1)
Common combinations: S3 SRC (construction), S1P SRC ESD (electronics), S3 SRC HI CI HRO (extreme environments).
6. How to Read a Safety Shoe Label
Every CE-certified safety shoe must carry a standard label. Key elements:
EN ISO 20345:2022 — Standard and edition year
S3 SRC — Protection rating
CE XXXX — Notified body certificate number (e.g. CE 0598 = SGS, CE 0194 = TUV Rheinland)
Month/Year — Production date (max 3-year shelf life for unused shoes)
7. Industry Matching Guide
Construction: Minimum S3, recommended SRC + HI for roofing
Heavy Manufacturing: Minimum S3, recommended SRC + HRO
Light Assembly: Minimum S1P, recommended SRC
Electronics: Minimum S1, recommended ESD
Warehousing/Logistics: Minimum S1P, recommended SRC + lightweight composite toe
Food Processing: Minimum S2 or S4, recommended SRC
Oil & Gas: Minimum S3, recommended SRC + HRO + HI
Mining: Minimum S3, recommended SRC + M (metatarsal guard)
Agriculture: Minimum S4 or S5, recommended SRC
Fish/Slaughterhouses: Minimum S5, recommended SRC
Chemical: Minimum S5, recommended SRC
Electrical: Minimum S1P, recommended ESD + composite toe
Airport Ground: Minimum S1P, recommended SRC + metal-free composite toe
Emergency Services: Minimum S3, recommended HRO + HI + WR
8. Certification Verification — Don't Get Fooled
Fake CE certificates exist. Protect yourself:
Red flags:
- Supplier refuses to provide the certificate number
- Certificate shows a logo but no notified body number (4-digit code)
- Price is too good to be true — real CE certification costs factories tens of thousands annually
- Certificate lists products not matching the factory's actual production
Verification steps:
1. Ask for the CE certificate document with the notified body number (e.g. CE 0598 = SGS)
2. Visit the notified body's online database and enter the certificate number
3. Verify that the certificate covers the specific product models you're buying
4. Check the certificate's expiry date — CE certificates must be renewed periodically
9. Sourcing EN ISO 20345 Certified Safety Footwear
SAILGOOD manufactures the full range of EN ISO 20345 certified safety footwear:
Low-Cut Safety Shoes: S1, S1P, S3 — Steel toe, Kevlar midsole, breathable mesh or leather
Mid-Cut Safety Shoes: S1P, S3 — Enhanced ankle support, anti-slip soles
High-Cut Safety Boots: S3 — Maximum protection, full leather construction
PVC Rain Boots: S4, S5 — 100% waterproof, chemical resistant
All products backed by 7 production lines, 7-day sampling, and flexible OEM/ODM customization. CE certificates available upon request.
Contact us for product catalog, CE certificates, samples and quotation.
If you import, distribute, or specify safety footwear in Europe, you've seen "EN ISO 20345" printed on labels and certificates. But do you actually know what each rating means — and whether you're buying the right protection level for your customers?
This guide breaks down every rating under EN ISO 20345, the test methods behind them, and which industries need which protection level.
1. What Is EN ISO 20345?
EN ISO 20345 is the European harmonized standard for safety footwear. It defines the minimum requirements and test methods for shoes designed to protect the wearer's feet against workplace hazards.
Any safety shoe sold in the EU/EEA market must comply with this standard and carry CE marking. Without it, your goods can be rejected at customs.
Key fact: EN ISO 20345 covers safety footwear (toe cap resisting 200 Joules impact). For protective footwear (100 Joules), the standard is EN ISO 20346. For occupational footwear (no toe protection), it's EN ISO 20347. Don't confuse them.
2. The Rating System: SB → S1 → S1P → S2 → S3 → S4 → S5
Each letter and number represents a set of required features. Higher numbers include all features of the lower levels, plus additional protections.
SB: Basic safety — 200J toe cap only, nothing else
S1: + Closed heel + Antistatic + Energy absorption at heel
S1P: + Puncture-resistant midsole
S2: + Water-resistant upper
S3: + Puncture-proof + Water-resistant + Cleated outsole
S4: Fully molded polymer/rubber boots — 100% waterproof construction
S5: + Puncture-resistant midsole in fully waterproof boots
3. Each Rating in Detail
SB — Safety Basic
Mandatory: 200 Joules impact resistance, 15 kN compression resistance — toe cap only.
SB is the most basic rating. The shoe protects your toes but offers nothing else. No heel support, no anti-static, no slip resistance. Rarely used in professional environments.
Typical use: Light-duty factory work, basic warehouse picking.
S1 — Basic Protection + Antistatic
Adds over SB: Closed heel seat (protects from lateral impacts), antistatic properties (electrical resistance 0.1–1000 MΩ), heel energy absorption (≥ 20 Joules), fuel/oil resistant outsole.
S1 is the entry-level standard for professional safety shoes. The antistatic property is essential for environments with flammable materials or sensitive electronics.
Typical use: Light manufacturing, assembly lines, electronics workshops.
S1P — S1 + Puncture Resistance
Adds over S1: Puncture-resistant midsole (≥ 1,100 Newtons — nail penetration test).
The "P" stands for penetration-resistant midsole. A steel or composite (Kevlar/fiberglass) plate embedded in the sole prevents nails, screws, and sharp debris from piercing through.
Steel midsole: Cheaper, slightly heavier, triggers metal detectors.
Kevlar/composite midsole: Lighter, flexible, non-metallic — preferred for logistics and airports.
Typical use: Construction sites, scrapyards, waste management.
S2 — S1 + Water Resistance
Adds over S1: Water penetration resistance (≤ 2 cm² absorption after 60 min in 2cm water), water vapor permeability ≥ 0.8 mg/(cm²·h) for breathability.
S2 shoes resist water penetration through the upper but are NOT fully waterproof boots. They handle puddles and wet floors, not submersion.
Important: S2 does NOT include puncture resistance. If you need both water resistance AND puncture protection, you need S3.
Typical use: Food processing, wet workshops, outdoor light work.
S3 — Complete Protection
Adds over S2: Puncture-resistant midsole (≥ 1,100N), cleated outsole (lug depth ≥ 2.5mm, harder rubber), sole interlayer bond strength ≥ 4.0 N/mm.
S3 is the most common standard for heavy-duty environments. Full suite: toe protection + antistatic + water resistance + puncture resistance + aggressive tread.
If your customer works construction, mining, or heavy industry, S3 is the default answer.
Typical use: Construction, mining, heavy manufacturing, oil & gas, outdoor industrial work.
S4 — Fully Molded Waterproof Boots
S4 covers fully molded polymer or rubber boots (Wellington-style). Must meet all S1 requirements, but the upper and sole are formed as a single piece — no seams, no stitching, no water entry points.
Key advantage: 100% waterproof construction, suitable for environments where stitched footwear would leak.
Typical use: Agriculture, fishing, chemical handling, food processing wet areas.
S5 — Waterproof Boots + Puncture Protection
S5 is the maximum protection rating for polymer/rubber boots. Same fully molded waterproof construction as S4, but with a puncture-resistant midsole embedded in the sole.
Typical use: Heavy agriculture, fish processing, slaughterhouses, waste management.
4. Rating Comparison Table
SB: Toe 200J ✅ | Heel Support ❌ | Antistatic ❌ | Puncture Proof ❌ | Water Resistant ❌
S1: Toe 200J ✅ | Heel Support ✅ | Antistatic ✅ | Puncture Proof ❌ | Water Resistant ❌
S1P: Toe 200J ✅ | Heel Support ✅ | Antistatic ✅ | Puncture Proof ✅ | Water Resistant ❌
S2: Toe 200J ✅ | Heel Support ✅ | Antistatic ✅ | Puncture Proof ❌ | Water Resistant ✅
S3: Toe 200J ✅ | Heel Support ✅ | Antistatic ✅ | Puncture Proof ✅ | Water Resistant ✅ | Cleated Sole ✅
S4: Toe 200J ✅ | Heel Support ✅ | Antistatic ✅ | Puncture Proof ❌ | Full Waterproof ✅
S5: Toe 200J ✅ | Heel Support ✅ | Antistatic ✅ | Puncture Proof ✅ | Full Waterproof ✅
5. Additional Markings Beyond the Basic Rating
Many safety shoes carry extra codes after the main rating for optional enhanced features:
SRC — Highest slip resistance (SRA ceramic tile + soap + SRB steel + glycerol)
HI — Heat insulation sole (limits temperature rise at 150°C sole contact)
CI — Cold insulation sole (limits temperature drop at -17°C sole contact)
HRO — Heat resistant outsole (300°C contact for 60 seconds, no melting)
E — Energy absorption at heel (≥ 20 Joules, mandatory from S1)
ESD — Electrostatic discharge (stricter 0.1–100 MΩ range)
WR — Whole shoe waterproof (full immersion test)
WRU — Water resistant upper (mandatory in S2, S3)
M — Metatarsal protection (protects top of foot above toe cap)
AN — Ankle protection (extra structure around ankle)
CR — Cut resistant upper (resists chainsaw cuts)
FO — Fuel/oil resistant outsole (mandatory from S1)
Common combinations: S3 SRC (construction), S1P SRC ESD (electronics), S3 SRC HI CI HRO (extreme environments).
6. How to Read a Safety Shoe Label
Every CE-certified safety shoe must carry a standard label. Key elements:
EN ISO 20345:2022 — Standard and edition year
S3 SRC — Protection rating
CE XXXX — Notified body certificate number (e.g. CE 0598 = SGS, CE 0194 = TUV Rheinland)
Month/Year — Production date (max 3-year shelf life for unused shoes)
Pictograms — Visual symbols of protection features
7. Industry Matching Guide
Construction: Minimum S3, recommended SRC + HI for roofing
Heavy Manufacturing: Minimum S3, recommended SRC + HRO
Light Assembly: Minimum S1P, recommended SRC
Electronics: Minimum S1, recommended ESD
Warehousing/Logistics: Minimum S1P, recommended SRC + lightweight composite toe
Food Processing: Minimum S2 or S4, recommended SRC
Oil & Gas: Minimum S3, recommended SRC + HRO + HI
Mining: Minimum S3, recommended SRC + M (metatarsal guard)
Agriculture: Minimum S4 or S5, recommended SRC
Fish/Slaughterhouses: Minimum S5, recommended SRC
Chemical: Minimum S5, recommended SRC
Electrical: Minimum S1P, recommended ESD + composite toe
Airport Ground: Minimum S1P, recommended SRC + metal-free composite toe
Emergency Services: Minimum S3, recommended HRO + HI + WR
8. Certification Verification — Don't Get Fooled
Fake CE certificates exist. Protect yourself:
Red flags:
- Supplier refuses to provide the certificate number
- Certificate shows a logo but no notified body number (4-digit code)
- Price is too good to be true — real CE certification costs factories tens of thousands annually
- Certificate lists products not matching the factory's actual production
Verification steps:
1. Ask for the CE certificate document with the notified body number (e.g. CE 0598 = SGS)
2. Visit the notified body's online database and enter the certificate number
3. Verify that the certificate covers the specific product models you're buying
4. Check the certificate's expiry date — CE certificates must be renewed periodically
9. Sourcing EN ISO 20345 Certified Safety Footwear
SAILGOOD manufactures the full range of EN ISO 20345 certified safety footwear:
Low-Cut Safety Shoes: S1, S1P, S3 — Steel toe, Kevlar midsole, breathable mesh or leather
Mid-Cut Safety Shoes: S1P, S3 — Enhanced ankle support, anti-slip soles
High-Cut Safety Boots: S3 — Maximum protection, full leather construction
PVC Rain Boots: S4, S5 — 100% waterproof, chemical resistant
All products backed by 7 production lines, 7-day sampling, and flexible OEM/ODM customization. CE certificates available upon request.
Contact us for product catalog, CE certificates, samples and quotation.
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