Footwear Codes Explained - Safety Footwear (EN ISO 20345)
- SB = For safety footwear, this is the most basic level. These will have toe protection against a strong impact (200 joules).
- S1 = Same as SB, plus anti-static protection, energy absorption in the heel, and is resistant to fuel oil.
- S2 = Same as S1, plus resistant to water penetration or absorption through the shoe upper.
- S3 = Same as S2, plus midsole penetration resistance.
- S4 = Same as S1, but is made from waterproof materials and is fully waterproof.
- S5 = Same features as S4, plus midsole penetration resistance.
- S6 = Same as S2, plus fully waterproof, but not necessarily fuel oil resistant.
- S7 = Same as S3, plus fully waterproof, but not necessarily fuel oil resistant.
The SB-S5 levels above meet the EN ISO 20345:2011 standard, and S6 and S7 meet the EN ISO 20345:2022 standard.
If the above code portion ends with:
- L = non-metal midsole penetration resistance (tested with 4.5mm(dia.) nail)
- S = non-metal midsole penetration resistance (tested with a 3.0mm(dia.) nail)
Footwear Codes Explained - Occupational (Non-Safety) Footwear (EN ISO 20347)
- OB = Meets the basic requirement of a slip-resistant sole.
- O1 = Slip-resistant sole, closed heel area, an energy absorption heel, and antistatic.
- O2 = Same as O1, plus prevents water penetration.
- O3 = Same as O2, plus midsole penetration resistance and cleated outsole.
- O4 = Same as O1, applied to footwear made with rubber or polymer uppers.
- O5 = Same as O4, plus midsole penetration resistance and cleated outsole.
- O6 = Has all the O2 features, plus permanently waterproof.
- O7 = Has all the O3 features, plus permanently waterproof.
If the above code portion ends with:
- L = non-metal midsole penetration resistance (tested with 4.5mm(dia.) nail)
- S = non-metal midsole penetration resistance (tested with a 3.0mm(dia.) nail)
Footwear Codes Explained - Additional Features
If the standard includes any of the following letter codes, that means the footwear has those features.
- AN – Ankle Protection
- A – Antistatic properties
- C – Conductive footwear
- I – Electricity insulating footwear
- ESD – Reduces electro-static buildup or discharge to reduce risk of damage to sensitive electronic components and devices.
- CR – Cut Resistant Upper
- M – Metatarsal Protection
- WRU – Water Resistant Upper
- WR – The entire shoe is waterproof
- LG – Ladder grip
- P – Penetration resistance
- CI – Insulation against cold surfaces
- HI – Insulation against hot surfaces
- HRO – Heat Resistant Outsole
- SRA – tested on smooth ceramic tile with dilute soap solution
- SRB – tested on smooth steel with glycerol (mimicking oily or greasy conditions)
- SRC – tested under SRA and SRB conditions
