Safety shoes help protect workers from common workplace risks, such as falling objects, sharp materials, and slippery floors. For safety shoe manufacturers, importers, and distributors, understanding the latest safety standards is important.
One important change is the move from EN ISO 20345:2011 to EN ISO 20345:2022. The older version was withdrawn in the Netherlands on April 1, 2022, and replaced by the 2022 edition.
What does this change meanfor safety shoe buyers? Do all existing safety shoes need to be replaced? And what should importers check before placing an order?
Let's take a closer look.
1. What Is EN ISO 20345?
EN ISO 20345 is a European standard for safety footwear. It sets basic safety requirements for shoes designed to protect workers in different working environments.
Depending on the model, safety shoes may provide protection against:
Falling objects and pressure on the toes
Sharp objects on the ground
Slippery floors
Water entering the footwear
Other workplace hazards covered by the relevant product requirements
Different jobs require different types of safety shoes. For example, construction workers may need strong toe protection and puncture-resistant midsoles, while warehouse workers may prefer lightweight shoes with good grip and comfortable insoles.
Choosing the right safety shoes starts with understanding the risks workers face every day.
2. What Has Changed in the 2022 Edition?
The 2022 edition updates several requirements for safety footwear. These changes affect how some products are tested, classified, and marked.
Slip resistance
Slippery floors are a common workplace hazard. Under the 2022 edition, the optional SR marking is used for additional slip-resistance testing. The older SRC marking belongs to the previous classification system, so buyers should not assume that SRC and SR mean exactly the same thing.
Product classifications
The newer edition also updates some footwear categories and protective markings. Buyers need to check the full product specifications instead of relying only on labels such as S1, S1P, or S3.
Testing and product information
Manufacturers need to make sure their products meet the requirements that apply to their intended protection. Test reports, certificates, and product markings should match the actual shoes being supplied.
For buyers, this means it is important to check the documents for each model rather than assume that all safety shoes meet the same requirements.
3. Does This Mean Older Safety Shoes Are No Longer Allowed?
Not necessarily.
The withdrawal of an older standard does not automatically mean that every shoe tested under that version is illegal or must be removed from the market immediately.
The important question is whether the product still meets the applicable legal requirements and whether its certificates and supporting documents remain valid for the intended market.
For safety shoes sold in the European Union, buyers should check the relevant requirements under the EU Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Regulation.
The European Commission's harmonised standards framework includes EN ISO 20345:2022 and its amendment EN ISO 20345:2022/A1:2024.
Before placing an order, importers should ask their suppliers to confirm:
Which standard applies to the selected model
Whether the CE documents are valid and cover that product
Whether the test reports match the shoe's design and protective features
Whether any changes to materials or construction affect its certification
If there is any doubt, the manufacturer should check with the relevant certification body or notified body.
Official reference: European Commission - Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1279.
4. What Should Importers Check Before Buying Safety Shoes?
For importers and wholesalers, checking product documents before ordering can help avoid delays and unexpected costs.
First, ask the supplier for the applicable CE documents, test reports, and product specifications. Make sure they refer to the exact model you want to purchase.
Second, check whether the shoe's protective features meet your customers' needs. A model for indoor warehouse work may not be suitable for wet outdoor environments or construction sites.
Third, confirm that the product markings match the supporting documents. If you need a particular safety rating or protective feature, ask the supplier to confirm it before production.
Finally, if you are planning to develop your own brand, discuss certification requirements before changing the shoe's materials, outsole, toe cap, or other important components.
Good preparation can make purchasing and importing safety footwear much easier.
5. How Can a Safety Shoe Manufacturer Help?
A reliable manufacturer should do more than offer competitive prices. It should also provide clear product information, suitable testing documents, and support when buyers need to confirm certification requirements.
At Zstep, we manufacture safety shoes and work boots for wholesale customers. We offer stock models as well as customised production options, depending on the buyer's needs.
Available features may include steel or composite toe caps, puncture-resistant midsoles, slip-resistant outsoles, breathable uppers, and different materials for different working environments.
Certification is model-specific, so buyers should confirm the available documents for their chosen products before ordering. If a project requires additional testing or certification, the requirements can be discussed in advance.
Conclusion
EN ISO 20345:2022 is an important standard for today's safety footwear market. For buyers, the key is not simply to look at the standard number, but to check whether the product, test reports, and certification documents meet the requirements of the target market.
By checking these details before ordering, importers can make better purchasing decisions and reduce potential compliance problems.
Looking for a safety shoe manufacturer in China? Contact Zstep to discuss your products, customisation needs, and certification requirements.
