Home › Knowledge Hub › EN ISO 20345:2022
EN ISO 20345:2022 replaced the 2011 edition of the safety footwear standard, and it is more than a routine update. Several codes that buyers have specified for a decade — SRC, WRU, the single P marking — have been retired or redefined. If your product specifications, tender documents, or purchase orders still reference the 2011 codes, they need updating.
This guide summarises the changes that matter most to brands, wholesalers, and distributors placing orders today.
The changes at a glance
| Feature | Under 2011 | Under 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Slip resistance | SRA / SRB / SRC codes | Mandatory baseline test for all footwear; optional SR code for enhanced testing |
| Puncture resistance | Single P code | P (steel), PL (composite, 4.5 mm nail), PS (composite, 3.0 mm nail) |
| Upper water resistance | WRU | WPA (water penetration and absorption) |
| Fuel and oil resistance | Mandatory for S1–S5 | Optional — marked FO only if tested |
| Full waterproofing | WR as an add-on code | New safety classes S6 and S7 |
| Scuff cap | Not covered | New optional SC code |
| Ladder grip | Not covered | New optional LG code |
Slip resistance: SRC is gone
The SRA, SRB, and SRC markings no longer exist under the 2022 standard. Instead, every certified safety shoe must pass a baseline slip test (ceramic tile with soap solution) as a condition of approval — so there is no letter code for it on the label. Footwear that passes an additional, harder test using glycerine earns the optional SR marking.
What this means in practice: if a supplier’s 2022-certified product listing shows no slip code at all, that is correct — slip resistance is built into the certification. A product description carrying “SRC” indicates certification to the older 2011 standard.
Puncture resistance now comes in three classes
Under the 2011 standard, a steel plate and a woven composite insert both carried the same P marking. The 2022 standard separates them:
- P — metallic insert, tested with a 4.5 mm nail
- PL — non-metallic composite insert, tested with a 4.5 mm nail
- PS — non-metallic composite insert, tested with a 3.0 mm nail
The smaller test nail matters. Thin objects like drywall screws, staples, and metal shavings concentrate force on a smaller area, so PS represents stronger protection against fine punctures. Buyers specifying composite midsoles should now state PL or PS explicitly rather than just “composite.”
This carries through to the safety classes: S1P footwear now has S1PL and S1PS variants, and S3 has S3L and S3S, depending on the midsole type.
Water protection: WPA, WR, and the new S6/S7 classes
The 2011-era WRU code caused persistent confusion between a water-resistant upper and a fully waterproof boot. The 2022 standard draws a clean line:
- WPA replaces WRU — the upper material resists water penetration and absorption, but the boot as a whole is not sealed.
- WR applies only to the complete footwear unit, typically boots with a sealed internal membrane.
- S6 and S7 are new safety classes: S6 is S2-level protection plus full waterproofing, and S7 is S3-level protection plus full waterproofing (with S7L and S7S midsole variants).
If your workers stand in water or work through wet shifts outdoors, specify S6 or S7 — a WPA upper alone will not keep the boot dry.
Fuel and oil resistance is no longer automatic
Under the 2011 standard, FO resistance was mandatory for classes S1 through S5, so buyers rarely thought about it. Under 2022 it is optional: the outsole is only tested — and the product only marked FO — if it is specifically required. Procurement teams buying for automotive, plant, or refuelling roles should now check that FO appears explicitly on the label and certificate.
Two new optional codes: SC and LG
- SC (scuff cap) — the toe overlay is abrasion-tested over 8,000 cycles, relevant for trades that kneel frequently (tilers, plumbers, fitters) and wear through toe covers.
- LG (ladder grip) — the outsole waist must have a defined cleat depth to grip ladder rungs, relevant for scaffolding, telecoms, and utilities work.
The transition period: 2011 and 2022 stock will coexist until 2029
Type examination certificates remain valid for five years from issue. Footwear certified to EN ISO 20345:2011 before late 2024 can legally stay on the market until its certificate expires — which means 2011-certified and 2022-certified stock will sit side by side in UK and EU supply chains until around November 2029.
For buyers, the practical rules are:
- Existing 2011-certified stock is legal to buy and sell while its certificate is valid — always check the certificate issue date.
- Any newly developed or newly certified product line should be specified to EN ISO 20345:2022.
- When a supplier replaces a discontinued 2011 model, the replacement should meet the 2022 standard at an equal or higher protection level.
Updating your specifications
If your tender documents or purchase orders still say “S1P SRC” or “S3 WRU,” they reference codes that no longer exist under the current standard. A minimal update looks like this:
- “S1P SRC” becomes “EN ISO 20345:2022 S1P, S1PL, or S1PS” (choose PS where fine-puncture risk exists)
- “S3 WRU” becomes “EN ISO 20345:2022 S3/S3L/S3S with WPA” — or “S7/S7L/S7S” if full waterproofing is required
- Add “FO marking required” wherever fuel or oil exposure applies
Specifying to the 2022 standard
Every model we place with our factory network is manufactured and certified to EN ISO 20345:2022, with the type examination certificate arranged in the brand owner’s name for OEM orders. If you are updating a product line or specifying a new one, send us your requirements and we will confirm feasibility, certification route, and lead times before production begins.
This guide is general information for buyers, not legal or compliance advice. Always verify certificates and markings for the specific products you purchase.