A simple guide to EN ISO 20345-2022

Safety footwear is more than a protective toe cap and a durable outsole.

Behind every certified safety shoe are defined test methods, performance requirements and product specifications designed to address specific workplace hazards. For buyers and safety professionals, however, the terminology can sometimes be difficult to navigate: S1, S2, S3, S3S, S3L, S6, S7, PS, PL, SR, WPA, WR — what do they actually mean?

At Charming Ever, our R&D and Quality teams work with these requirements throughout product development, material selection, testing and quality control.

In this guide, we break down EN ISO 20345:2022 in simple terms, helping buyers, safety professionals and footwear distributors understand the key requirements, protection classes and major changes introduced by the latest standard.

What Is EN ISO 20345:2022?

EN ISO 20345:2022 is the European standard for safety footwear intended for general occupational use.

The standard defines basic and additional requirements covering areas such as:

• Mechanical risks
• Slip resistance
• Thermal risks
• Ergonomic performance
• Toe protection
• Water-related performance
• Puncture resistance
• Electrical properties
• Outsole performance

The foundation of safety footwear remains the protective toe cap.

Under the standard, the toe cap is tested against:

200 J impact resistance

The impact test uses an energy level of 200 joules. As a simple reference, this is approximately equivalent to a 20 kg mass falling from around 1 metre, although the actual laboratory test is defined by the prescribed test method rather than by simply dropping a 20 kg object onto a shoe.

15 kN compression resistance

The toe cap must also withstand a compression force of 15 kilonewtons.

For perspective, 15 kN corresponds to approximately 1,500 kg-force under standard gravity.

These tests are not designed to represent every possible workplace accident. Instead, they provide standardized conditions under which the protective performance of safety footwear can be evaluated and compared.

This distinction is important:

A certification standard defines tested performance. It does not mean that a safety shoe can protect against every possible hazard.

The correct footwear still depends on the specific risks present in the workplace.

EN ISO 20345:2011 vs EN ISO 20345:2022

The transition from the previous EN ISO 20345:2011 framework to the 2022 version did not completely redefine safety footwear.

Many fundamental requirements remain familiar, including:

• 200 J toe impact resistance
• 15 kN toe compression resistance
• Requirements for materials and construction
• Ergonomic considerations
• Toe cap performance
• Basic footwear construction requirements

What changed significantly is the way certain protection characteristics are tested, classified and communicated.

Among the most important changes are:

1. Basic slip resistance requirements
2. New puncture-resistance classifications
3. New S6 and S7 safety classes
4. WPA replacing the previous WRU marking
5. WR for whole-footwear water resistance
6. Additional requirements such as SC, LG and SR
7. Greater distinction between metallic and non-metallic protective components

For manufacturers, this means product development and certification require more detailed consideration of materials, construction and intended performance.

For buyers, it means that the markings on the footwear can provide more precise information about what has actually been tested.

Charming Ever Insight

A new standard does not simply mean “more protection.” It means more information.

From our R&D and Quality perspective, one of the most useful aspects of EN ISO 20345:2022 is the greater distinction between different types of protection.

A product should not be considered better simply because it carries more symbols.

Instead, the important question is:

Does the combination of protection features match the actual risks of the workplace?

For example, a lightweight S3S safety shoe may be a more appropriate choice for one application, while a higher water-resistant S7 product may be more suitable for another.

The objective should always be fit-for-purpose protection.

1. Slip Resistance: What Happened to SRA, SRB and SRC?

One of the most noticeable changes is the way slip resistance is classified.

Under the previous EN ISO 20345:2011 system, footwear could be marked:

• SRA – slip resistance tested on ceramic tile with a sodium lauryl sulphate solution
• SRB – slip resistance tested on steel with glycerol
• SRC – footwear passed both tests

Under EN ISO 20345:2022, SRA, SRB and SRC are no longer used as the standard markings.

Instead, basic slip resistance is included as a fundamental requirement for applicable safety footwear.

An additional SR marking may be used when footwear passes an additional slip-resistance test using glycerol on ceramic tile.

The testing approach has also been refined, focusing on key contact areas of the outsole, including the heel strike area and forefoot push-off area.

Why does this matter?

Slip resistance is not simply a feature to add to a product description. It is directly related to how the outsole performs against a particular floor surface and contaminant.

For buyers, the important question is therefore not only:

“Does this shoe have a slip-resistant outsole?”

but also:

“Has the footwear been tested to the requirements relevant to my working environment?”

2. Puncture Resistance: P, PL and PS

Puncture protection has also become more clearly defined.

Under the previous standard, P was commonly used to indicate perforation resistance using a metallic protective insert.

EN ISO 20345:2022 distinguishes between metallic and non-metallic inserts:

The distinction is particularly useful when selecting footwear with lightweight, non-metallic protection.

The PS test uses a smaller 3.0 mm nail. Because a smaller nail concentrates force over a smaller area, the test represents a more demanding penetration scenario than the 4.5 mm test.

This is why buyers may now encounter classifications such as:

• S1P
• S1PL
• S1PS
• S3
• S3L
• S3S
• S7
• S7L
• S7S

The letter following the main safety class tells you more about the type of perforation protection incorporated into the footwear.

3. WPA vs WR: Understanding Water Protection

Water protection is another area where the 2022 standard introduces clearer distinctions.

Under EN ISO 20345:2011, WRU was used to describe water-resistant uppers.

Under EN ISO 20345:2022, this has been replaced by WPA — Water Penetration and Absorption.

WPA

WPA relates to the penetration and absorption performance of the upper material.

It should not automatically be interpreted as meaning that the entire shoe is waterproof.

WR

WR — Water Resistance refers to resistance to water penetration of the whole footwear.

This is a more comprehensive requirement and is used for footwear designed to provide a higher level of water protection.

This distinction is particularly important for footwear used outdoors or in wet working environments.

A shoe may use water-resistant materials, but water can still enter through areas such as seams, construction joints or the tongue.

For this reason, “water resistant” and “waterproof” should not be treated as interchangeable terms. In professional safety footwear, the actual certification and test requirements matter more than marketing language.

Charming Ever Quality Insight

Water resistance is a footwear construction issue, not simply a material issue.

From a manufacturing and quality-control perspective, reliable water resistance depends on how the entire shoe works together.

Material selection is important, but so are:

Upper + stitching + seams + tongue + lasting + sole attachment + construction

A membrane may be used in some waterproof footwear, but a membrane alone does not automatically make a finished shoe water resistant to a particular standard.

For this reason, our Quality team looks beyond the specification of individual materials and considers the complete footwear construction and test performance.

4. New Safety Classes: S6 and S7

EN ISO 20345:2022 introduces two new main safety footwear classes: S6 and S7.

They are designed to identify footwear that combines the relevant protection level with WR whole-footwear water resistance.

S6

S6 = S2 + WR

S6 footwear provides the protection of S2 together with water resistance of the whole footwear.

S7

S7 = S3 + WR

S7 footwear combines the protection of S3 with whole-footwear water resistance.

There are also corresponding classifications for non-metallic perforation-resistant inserts:

• S7L — S3L + WR
• S7S — S3S + WR

This makes the classification easier to understand when comparing protection against both workplace hazards and water exposure.

5. New Perforation Classifications: S3S and S3L

If you have recently looked at safety footwear catalogues, you may have noticed classifications such as S3S and S3L.

These are among the most visible changes introduced by EN ISO 20345:2022.

In simple terms:

S3
S3 protection with a metallic perforation-resistant insert.

S3L
S3 protection with a non-metallic perforation-resistant insert tested using a 4.5 mm nail.

S3S
S3 protection with a non-metallic perforation-resistant insert tested using a 3.0 mm nail.

For manufacturers and buyers, this distinction provides more information about the construction and performance of the puncture-resistant layer.

It is especially relevant when developing metal-free or lightweight safety footwear.

4. New Safety Classes: S6 and S7

One of the most recognizable changes under EN ISO 20345:2022 is the introduction of S6 and S7.

The easiest way to understand them is:

S6 = S2 + WR

S6 footwear provides the relevant S2 protection level together with whole-footwear water resistance.

S7 = S3 + WR

S7 footwear combines the S3 protection level with whole-footwear water resistance.

The new system also includes:

• S7L — S3L + WR
• S7S — S3S + WR

These classifications are particularly relevant for workplaces where both mechanical protection and exposure to water are important.

Understanding the Main Safety Classes

One of the easiest ways to understand EN ISO 20345:2022 is to look at the main safety classes.

The exact classification should always be considered together with the hazards present in the workplace.

For example, a construction environment with sharp objects underfoot may require a different protection profile from an indoor warehouse where slip resistance, comfort and lightweight construction are the main concerns.

Additional Protection Markings You May See

Beyond the main S-classification, safety footwear may carry additional markings for specific hazards or performance characteristics.

Some commonly encountered symbols include:

These markings should not be viewed as a checklist where “more symbols” automatically means “better footwear.”

The right combination depends on the actual hazards, working conditions and risk assessment of the intended application.

Conclusion: What Does EN ISO 20345:2022 Mean for You?

EN ISO 20345:2022 may look complex, but its purpose is simple: to provide clearer information about how safety footwear has been tested and what protection it is designed to provide.

For buyers, distributors and safety professionals, understanding markings such as S3S, S7, WPA, WR, PS, PL, SC, LG and SR makes it easier to compare products and select footwear based on actual workplace risks.

The updated standard does not mean every workplace needs new footwear. Existing footwear does not need to be replaced simply because the standard has changed, provided it remains suitable, compliant and in good protective condition. The latest requirements should be considered when workplace risks change, existing footwear no longer provides adequate protection, or new products are being developed or purchased.

Charming Ever builds safety into every step

At Charming Ever, safety starts with quality, expertise and a clear understanding of industry standards. With more than 35 years of footwear experience, our R&D and Quality teams ensure that every product is developed with relevant requirements, testing and workplace applications in mind.

We believe compliance should be the foundation, not the finish line. Our focus is on developing safety footwear that combines reliable protection, comfort, durability and practical performance for everyday working environments.

EN ISO 20345:2022 does not need to be complicated. If you need guidance on understanding safety footwear classifications or selecting the right protection for your workplace, contact sales@charmingent.com to discuss your requirements.