The footwear standard ISO 20345:2011 has now been updated to ISO 20345:2022

Here's a breakdown of what's changed:

Slip Resistance
Water Resistance Markings
Scuff Cap Abrasion Resistance Test
Puncture Resistance Changes
Ankle Protection Test Update
"S" Ratings Compared
Codes Compared
 
SRA, SRB & SRC are out - SR is in

Slip resistance - The old SRA, SRB & SRC test and markings have now been replaced.

The old test was to be based on the sole of the footwear meeting the following:

  • Slip resistance on ceramic tile floor with NaLS (SRA if passed)
  • Slip resistance on steel floor with glycerine (SRB if passed)
  • Slip resistance on ceramic tile floor with NaLS and on steel floor with glycerine (SRC if passed)

The new standards show that all footwear must now meet a slip resistance (equivalent to SRA) as standard, and an optional test can be performed to add the new "SR" marking (equivalent to SRC).

The new tests are no longer performed on a steel floor, now both tests are performed on a ceramic tile surface with the mandatory test performed with Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (NaLS) as it's lubricant, and the SR test will feature glycerine as it's lubricant.

These new tests include the head and forepart as well as the sole of the boot within the test area.

A marking of "⌀" can also be shown if the footwear can't be tested. (e.g footwear has studs or spikes)

Water resistance

The old symbol of WRU (water resistant uppers) will now be replaced with WPA, which stands for Water Penetration and absorption.

The test is mostly the same, except the dimensions in the positioning of the shoe and the use of absorbent paper.

Scuff cap abrasion resistance test

This new requirement will test the durability of the scuff cap to establish it's capability in protecting the toe cap.

A symbol of "SC" will be shown if the footwear passes a test of 1000 abrasion cycles.

Ladder grip test

This new marking will be measured to fire-fighter standard and if suitable will show the new "LG" marking.

New codes and tests for Puncture Resistance

There are 2 new test methods for NMAPI (non-metal anti-penetration inserts).

The first test for general risks will be a 4½mm diameter nail, and if passed the footwear will be marked "PL".
The second test for higher risk will be a 3mm diameter nail, and if passed the footwear will be marked "PS".

Either of the above tests can be chosen by the manufacturer but only one of the markings can be given per style.
If a style offers a steel plate insert, the footwear will be marked with a "P" as per the 2011 standards.

Ankle protection test

The area of the footwear tested has been updated to include the specific location of the protection, instead of a general location across all styles.

Here's a comparison on the old vs the new standards:
Old 20345:2011 Standards New 20345:2021 Standards
Class I Footwear made from leather and other materials Class I Footwear made from leather and other materials
Class II All entirely molded footwear Class II All entirely molded footwear
SBH Hybrid footwear that cannot be classified as class I or II Hybrid footwear that cannot be classified as class I or II
SB Safety toe cap protection only, tested to 200 J impact and 15 KN compression force. SB Safety toe cap protection only, tested to 200 J impact and 15 KN compression force. Safety toe cap protection only, tested to 200 J impact and 15 KN compression force.
S1 Class I + Closed heel area + SB + A + E S1 Class I + Closed heel area + SB + A + E Class I + Closed heel area + SB + A + E
S2 As S1 + WRU S2 As S1 + WPA As S1 + WPA
S3 As S2 + P + Cleated outsoles S3 (metal insert type P) As S2 + P + Cleated outsoles (metal insert type P) As S2 + P + Cleated outsoles
S3L (non-metal insert type PL) As S2 + PL + Cleated outsoles (non-metal insert type PL) As S2 + PL + Cleated outsoles
S3S (non-metal insert type PS) As S2 + PS + Cleated Outsoles (non-metal insert type PS) As S2 + PS + Cleated Outsoles
S4 Upper material of all Rubber or Polymeric as SB + Closed heel area + A + E S4 Upper material of all Rubber or Polymeric as SB + Closed heel area + A + E Upper material of all Rubber or Polymeric as SB + Closed heel area + A + E
S5 As S4 + P + Cleated outsoles S5 (metal insert type P) As S4 + P + Cleated outsoles (metal insert type P) As S4 + P + Cleated outsoles
S5L (non-metal insert type PL) As S4 + PL + Cleated outsoles (non-metal insert type PL) As S4 + PL + Cleated outsoles
S5S (non-metal insert type PS) As S4 + PS + Cleated Outsoles (non-metal insert type PS) As S4 + PS + Cleated Outsoles
S6 As S2 + WR As S2 + WR
S7 (metal insert type P) As per S3 + WR (metal insert type P) As per S3 + WR
S7L (non-metal insert type PL) As S3 + WR (non-metal insert type PL) As S3 + WR
S7S (non-metal insert type PS) As S3 + WR (non-metal insert type PS) As S3 + WR
 
Here's a list of the old vs new lettering
Old 20345:2011 Codes New 20345:2021 Codes
HRO Heat resistant outsole compound: Shall withstand 300°C for 60 seconds HRO Heat resistant outsole compound: Shall withstand 300°C for 60 seconds Heat resistant outsole compound: Shall withstand 300°C for 60 seconds
FO Resistance to fuel oils FO Resistance to fuel oils Resistance to fuel oils
LG Ladder Grip Ladder Grip
SC Scuff cap abrasion Scuff cap abrasion
P Penetration resistant outsole: Penetration value required shall not be less than 1100N P (metal insert type P) Penetration resistant outsole: Lowest penetration value required shall not be less than 1100N (metal insert type P) Penetration resistant outsole:
Lowest penetration value required shall not be
less than 1100N
PL (non-metal insert type PL) Penetration resistant outsole: Lowest penetration value required shall not be less than 1100N and no separation of the layers shall occur during all tests (non-metal insert type PL) Penetration resistant outsole:
Lowest penetration value required shall not be less than
1100N and no separation of the layers shall occur during all tests
PS (non-metal insert type PS) Penetration resistant outsole: Average penetration value required shall not be less than 1100N (non-metal insert type PS) Penetration resistant outsole:
Average penetration value required shall not be less than 1100N
A Anti-static: Electrical resistance between foot and ground of between 0.1 and 1000 Mega Ohms* A Anti-static: Electrical resistance between foot and ground of between 0.1 and 1000 Mega Ohms* Anti-static: Electrical resistance between foot and ground
of between 0.1 and 1000 Mega Ohms*
C Partially conductive footwear. The electrical resistance shall not be greater than 0.1 Mega Ohms between foot and ground* Partially conductive footwear.
The electrical resistance shall not be greater than 0.1 Mega
Ohms between foot and ground*
CI Insulation against the cold: 30 minutes at 17°C, the decrease shall not be more than 10°C CI Insulation against the cold: 30 minutes at 17°C, the decrease shall not be more than 10°C Insulation against the cold: 30 minutes at 17°C,
the decrease shall not be more than 10°C
HI Insulation against heat: 30 minutes at 150°C, the rise shall not be higher than 22°C HI Insulation against heat: 30 minutes at 150°C, the rise shall not be higher than 22°C Insulation against heat: 30 minutes at 150°C,
the rise shall not be higher than 22°C
E Energy absorption of the seat region: energy absorbed to be not less than 20J E Energy absorption of the seat region: energy absorbed to be not less than 20J Energy absorption of the seat region: energy absorbed
to be not less than 20J
WRU Water penetration and absorption (water resistant and breathable) WPA Water penetration and absorption (water resistant and breathable) Water penetration and absorption
(water resistant and breathable)
AN Ankle protection: 10N impact mean transferred force shall not exceed 10kN and no single value shall exceed 15kN AN Ankle protection: 10N impact mean transferred force shall not exceed 10kN and no single value shall exceed 15kN Ankle protection: 10N impact mean transferred
force shall not exceed 10kN and no single value shall exceed 15kN
WR Water resistant footwear (waterproof membrane) WR Water resistant footwear (waterproof membrane) Water resistant footwear (waterproof membrane)
CR Cut resistant upper: cut resistant index to exceed 2.5 CR Cut resistant upper: cut resistant index to exceed 2.5 Cut resistant upper: cut resistant index to exceed 2.5
M Metatarsal protection 100J impact energy M Metatarsal protection 100J impact energy Metatarsal protection 100J impact energy
SRA Slip resistance on ceramic tile floor with NaLS Replaced within new SR
SRB Slip resistance on steel floor with glycerol Replaced within new SR
SRC Slip resistant to both SRA & SRB Replaced within new SR
SR Slip resistance on ceramic type surface with glycerine Slip resistance on ceramic type surface with glycerine
0 No test given - for footwear featuring spike or studs on sole No test given - for footwear featuring spike or studs on sole