The New EN ISO 20344:2021 vs. EN ISO 20344:2011: The Differences

Nothing lasts forever – and that applies even to ISO standards. Changes were recently made to the ISO standard for test methods for footwear used as personal protective equipment (ISO 20344:2021). As a buyer, this could become important to you very soon when making your next purchase of safety shoes. To ensure you are fully up to date, our experts at Shoes For Crews have compiled an overview of the most important changes in this article.

If you would like to view the EN ISO 20344:2021 in its entirety, you can purchase it from Beuth Verlag. Otherwise, we are here to offer advice and support regarding the updates to EN ISO 20344:2021, especially when it comes to how these updates affect the certification of our own shoes. Simply get in touch with us!

An Overview of 4 Changes in EN ISO 20344:2021

Let us get down to the details! What exactly has changed in EN ISO 20344:2021 compared with EN ISO 20344:2011?

Quite a lot, in fact. Below, we have selected four changes in EN ISO 20344:2021 that are particularly relevant to slip resistance and safety in work shoes.

Slip-Resistant Soles According to EN ISO 20344:2021

The heart of Shoes For Crews is the slip-resistant sole. So naturally, we will start directly with the changes affecting this area. 

The SRA, SRB and SRC certifications, which you may still know from EN ISO 20344:2011, are being replaced in EN ISO 20344:2021. The tests that were previously carried out for SRA certification are now part of the basic requirements. 

If providers such as Shoes For Crews wish to state a particular slip-resistant performance, additional slip tests can be carried out, which then entitle them to use the SR marking (Slip Resistance). 

As expected, the test methods of EN ISO 20344:2021 have also been adapted to better reflect real-world conditions. For example, all tests for the certification of slip-resistant outsoles are now also carried out on tiles.

2. Puncture-Resistant Soles According to EN ISO 20344:2021

Many of our safety shoes belonged to the former S3 class and therefore also featured a puncture-resistant sole. That is why we decided to include the changes to this certification under EN ISO 20344:2021 in this brief overview as well. 

Until now, the puncture-resistant sole was marked with a P. However, this P does not tell buyers what material the nail penetration protection is made of. 

The new EN ISO 20344:2021 now makes it clear that all shoes with the P marking feature steel nail penetration protection. In addition, the diameter of the test nail is 4.5 mm. 

For all shoes featuring non-metallic nail penetration protection, the new markings PL (“L = Large” for large test nails, 4.5 mm diameter) and PS (“S = Small” for small test nails, 3 mm diameter) have been introduced. 

Specifying the diameter of the test nails is important because a smaller nail diameter means higher pressure on the puncture-resistant sole and therefore requires a higher performance profile.

3. New Categories for Safety Shoes According to EN ISO 20344:2021

You may already know the different safety shoe categories under EN ISO 20344:2011 from our article “Safety Shoes S1, S2, S3: The Differences”. 

However, the new EN ISO 20344:2021 adds two new categories: S6 and S7. 

These two new categories, S6 and S7, meet the criterion WR = “Water resistant”, meaning waterproof, while all other categories receive the new marking WPA = “Water penetration and absorption”.

4. Additional Requirements According to EN ISO 20344:2021

We also find it interesting that EN ISO 20344:2021 now allows for 18 additional requirements. The 2011 version provided for only 12. This is despite some of the former certifications having been removed because they have become part of the basic requirements. 

Unfortunately, we cannot go into detail on all certifications here. However, we would still like to provide you with a list of abbreviations, so that in future you will know what the shoe you purchase offers. 

The new additional requirements include the following:

• LG = Ladder grip 
• PL = Puncture resistance (non-metallic nail penetration protection, 4.5 mm nail)
• PS = Puncture resistance (non-metallic nail penetration protection, 3 mm nail)
• SC = Toe cap abrasion
• SR = Slip resistance (ceramic tile floor with glycerine)
• WPA = Water penetration and absorption 

And these are the familiar additional requirements:

• A = Antistatic footwear
• AN = Ankle protection
• C = Conductive footwear
• CI = Cold insulation of the sole complex
• CR = Cut resistance
• E = Energy absorption in the heel area
• FO = Fuel oil resistance
• HI = Heat insulation of the sole complex
• HRO = Behaviour towards contact heat
• M = Metatarsal protection
• P = Puncture resistance (metallic nail penetration protection)
• WR = Waterproofness

Since When Has EN ISO 20344:2021 Been in Force?

EN ISO 20344:2021 has been in force since 2021. Almost all shoes we offer today already comply with the new standard. Shoes certified under the old standard and placed on the market in 2021 remain valid until the warranty expires. With Shoes For Crews as your partner for modern and stylish safety solutions, you are always up to date.