Understanding EN ISO 20345:2011 - Safety Footwear Standards What is EN ISO 20345:2011? EN ISO 20345:2011 is a European standard that specifies the requirements for safety footwear. It ensures that safety shoes meet minimum safety benchmarks to protect wearers in various workplace environments. Superseded Standard It's important to note that EN ISO 20345:2011 is no longer the latest version of the standard. In December 2016, it was superseded by PPE Regulation EU 2016:425. However, understanding EN ISO 20345:2011 is still valuable because many safety shoes manufactured before 2016 may comply with this standard. Key Requirements of EN ISO 20345:2011 Toe Protection: All safety footwear must have toe protection that can withstand a 200-joule impact (equivalent to a 20kg weight dropped from a height of 1 meter). Compression Resistance: The toe area must also be able to bear a 15kN compression force (roughly 1.5 tonnes). Other Considerations: The standard also addresses additional features like slip resistance, penetration resistance, and electrical hazard protection. Different types of safety shoes may have specific requirements depending on their intended use. Why is EN ISO 20345:2011 Important? This standard helps ensure that safety footwear provides a baseline level of protection for workers in potentially hazardous environments. By following this standard, manufacturers can offer safety shoes that meet essential safety criteria. Looking Forward While EN ISO 20345:2011 is not the current standard, it provides valuable insight into safety shoe requirements. The current PPE Regulation EU 2016:425 builds upon this foundation and may have some updated test methods or terminology.