Safety Footwear Product Code Guide
Category
Description
Leather and Other Materials (not rubber/polymeric)
SB
Safety basic requirements. Toe cap only.
S1
Fully enclosed heel. Antistatic properties. Energy Absorption in the seat area (heel).
S2
As S1 plus Water penetration and absorption resistance.
S3 (metal insert ‘P’)
As S2 plus Penetration resistant midsole.
S3L (non-metal insert ‘PL’)
S3S (non-metal insert ‘PS’)
As S2 plus Perforation resistance (according to type) and Cleated outsole.
All Rubber or All Polymeric (entirely moulded) Footwear, e.g., Wellingtons
S4
Antistatic properties Energy Absorption in the seat area (heel).
S5 (metal insert ‘P’)
As S4 plus Penetration resistant midsole.
S5L (non-metal insert ‘PL’)
S5S (non-metal insert ‘PS’)
As S4 plus Perforation resistance (according to type) and Cleated outsole.
Slip Resistance
SRA (2011)
Any product which has been tested on a ceramic tile, wetted with a diluted soap solution.
SRB (2011)
Any product that has been tested on smooth steel with glycerol.
SRC (2011)
Any product that has been tested under both of the above conditions.
SRC (2022)
No marking if tested just to 5.3.5.2*. SR marked if tested to 5.3.5.2 and 6.2.10**.
Additional Features
P
2011 – Penetration Resistant Midsole
2022 – Perforation Resistance (metal insert ‘P’)
PL (2022)
Perforation Resistance (non-metal insert ‘PL’).
PS (2022)
Perforation Resistance (non-metal insert ‘PS’).
HI
Heat Insulation.
CI
Cold Insulation.
WR
Water Resistant.
M
Metatarsal Protection.
HRO
Heat Resistant Outsole.
ESD
ESD Compliant footwear is used to prevent damage to electronic components via an Electrostatic discharge.
WPA (2022)
Water penetration & absorption.
FO (2022)
Resistance to Fuel Oil.
SC (2022)
Scuff Cap Abrasion.
*5.3.5.2 – this refers to slip resistance tested on the Eurotile 2 with a soap solution and forms part of the basic requirement (there is no marking code used for this clause alone).
**6.2.10 – this refers to slip resistance tested on the Eurotile 2 with a lubricant of glycerine (this test is optional, but must be carried out to meet the requirements necessary for claiming the ‘SR’ marking code)
EN ISO 20345:2011
EN ISO 20345:2022
These are the standards which all styles that are classified as ‘safety footwear’ are tested to in Europe.