Certifications & Symbols

Approvals for work and safety footwear

Sika Footwear’s work footwear is certified according to the European standards for safety footwear (EN ISO 20345:2011) and work footwear (EN ISO 20347:2012). In 2022, new, official certifications in both categories were issued. Both approvals will be valid in a transitional phase. The overviews below show the differences between the new and old approvals.

Safety footwear approvals

EN ISO 20345:2011 - the old approval

Footwear certified in accordance with EN ISO 20345:2011, has, at minimum, a toe cap to protect from falling objects at 200J and compression (15kN).
This basic certification is also known as 

Additional protection can also be added to the footwear. The most common combinations are:

  Safety footwear Waterproof boots
Certifications
SB: Toe cap check check check check check check
P: Protective midsole, 1100 Newton close check close check close check
A: Antistatic sole (ml. <0.1 MΩ-1000 MΩ) check check check check check check
E: Shock absorption in the heel, min. 20J check check check check check check
WRU: Water resistant upper close close check check check check
FO: Fuel and oil resistant sole check check check check check check

 

Certifications of the sole’s slip resistance properties

EN ISO 20345:2011 - the old approval

The soles of the shoes are tested for their anti-slip properties and can be approved at different levels. 

The outsole is slip tested and approved on ceramic tiles with a soap solution.

The outsole is slip tested on a steel plate with glycerine 

The outsole is slip tested to SRA and SRB. 

Other approvals on EN ISO 20345:2011 - the old approval

Fuel and oil resistance: Approved oil and fuel resistant outsole. 

Heat-resistant outsole: Heat-resistant outsole, up to 300 °C for one minute 

Heat insulation of outsole: Approved heat-insulating outsole. 

Cold insulation of outsole: Approved cold-insulating outsole. 

Safety footwear approvals

EN ISO 20345:2022 - the new approval 

Footwear certified in accordance with EN ISO 20345:2022, has, at minimum, a toe cap to protect from falling objects at 200J and compression (15kN). 
This basic certification is still known as 

Additional protection can also be added to the footwear. The most common combinations are:  

  Safety footwear Waterproof boots Safety footwear
Certifications
SB: Toe cap check check check check check check check check check check check check check check check check
P: Protective midsole, 1100 Newton close check close close close check close close close check close close close check close close
PL: Non-metal protective midsole, tested with a 4,5 mm nail  close close check close close close check close close close check close close close check close
PS: Non-metal protective midsole, tested with a 3 mm nail  close close close check close close close check close close close check close close close check
WPA: Water-resistant upper  close close close close check check check check         close close close close
WR: Waterproof upper  close close close close close close close close         check check check check
A: Antistatic sole (ml. <0.1 MΩ-1000 MΩ)  check check check check check check check check check check check check check check check check
E: Shock absorption in the heel (min. 20J)  check check check check check check check check check check check check check check check check
Closed shoe check check check check check check check check check check check check check check check check
Patterned sole  (min. 2,5 mm) close close close close close check check check close check check check close check check check

Certifications of the sole’s anti-slip properties

EN ISO 20345:2022 - the new approval

In the new standard, the SRA test is mandatory when it comes to the anti-slip properties of the sole. 

The new SR approval is optional and is obtained if the sole passes the test. 

The outsole is skid tested on ceramic tile with a glycerin solution.

Other approvals on EN ISO 20345:2022 - the new approval 

SC: Scuff Cap: Strong ProNose approved for work involving kneeling.

LG: Ladder Grip: Footwear with ladder grip approved for use on ladders. 

FO: Fuel & Oil resistance: Approved oil- and fuel-resistant outsole. 

HRO: Heat Resistant Outsole: Approved heat-resistant outsole that can withstand up to 300°C for one minute. 
HI: Heat Insulation of Outsole: Approved heat-insulating outsole. 
CI: Cold Insulation of Outsole: Approved cold-insulating outsole.
WR: Water Resistance: Approved waterproof footwear. 
WPA: Water Penetration and Absorption: Approved water-resistant upper. 

Safety footwear: The differences between EN ISO 20345:2011 and EN ISO 20345:2022 

You have to watch your step when you want to get an overview of the differences between the new and old certifications of safety footwear. 

The main difference between the old (EN ISO 20345:2011) and the new (EN ISO 20345:2022) certification is: 

  • Protective midsole: P
    • EN ISO 20345:2011 does not distinguish between the type of protective midsole and only tests on large nails. 
    • EN ISO 20345:2022 distinguishes between metal and non-metal protective midsoles and tests on two seam sizes: Large (L: 4.5 mm) and small (S: 3 mm). 
  • Slip resistance: SR 
    • EN ISO 20345:2011: tests and approvals according to SRA, SRB and SRC. 
    • EN ISO 20345:2022: The SRA tests are mandatory in the new standard and are sufficient to achieve certification, so it no longer gives any designation. SR is a voluntary extra designation you can get, and it only appears if you do extra tests. The test simulates slip resistance on oil/grease surfaces. 
  • Scuff Cap Abrasion (ProNose approval): SC
    • EN ISO 20345:2011: Does not test the ProNose 
    • EN ISO 20345:2022: Tests whether the shoe’s ProNose can be certified to be extra durable and thus approved to withstand work involving kneeling. If the ProNose is approved, the shoe will be designated SC. 


Approvals of work footwear 

EN ISO 20347:2012 - the old approval 

Work footwear is approved according to EN ISO 20347:2012. This certification means that the footwear is without toe protection and approved for professional use. 
This basic authentication is called  

Additional protection can also be added to the footwear. The most common combinations are:

OB + A + E
Antistatic sole (ml. <0.1 MΩ - 1000 MΩ) + Shock absorption in the heel, min. 20J

OB + A + E + WRU
Antistatic sole (ml. <0.1 MΩ - 1000 MΩ) + Shock absorption in the heel, min. 20J + Water repellent upper
OB + A + E + WRU (only applies to waterproof boots)
Antistatic sole (ml. <0.1 MΩ - 1000 MΩ) + Shock absorption in the heel, min. 20J + Water repellent upper

EN ISO 20347:2022 - the new approval 

Den forskel, der gør sig gældende for Sika Footwear på den nye og den gamle godkendelse, er tilføjelsen af O6-godkendelsen: 

OB + A + E
Antistatic sole (ml. <0.1 MΩ - 1000 MΩ) + Shock absorption in the heel, min. 20J

OB + A + E + WRU
Antistatic sole (ml. <0.1 MΩ - 1000 MΩ) + Shock absorption in the heel, min. 20J + Water repellent upper
OB + A + E + WRU (only applies to waterproof boots)
Antistatic sole (ml. <0.1 MΩ - 1000 MΩ) + Shock absorption in the heel, min. 20J + Water repellent upper

OB + A + E + WR
Antistatic sole (ml. <0.1 MΩ - 1000 MΩ) + Shock absorption in the heel, min. 20J + Water repellent shaft 

Certifications of the sole’s slip resistance properties

EN ISO 20347:2012 - the old approval 

The soles of the shoes are tested for their anti-slip properties and can be approved at different levels. 

The outsole is slip tested on ceramic tiles with a soap solution
The outsole is slip tested on steel plate with glycerine
The outsole is slip tested to SRA and SRB

EN ISO 20347:2022 - the new approval 

In the new standard, the SRA test is mandatory when it comes to the anti-slip properties of the sole. 

The new SR approval is optional and is obtained if the sole passes the test. 

The outsole is skid tested on ceramic tile with a glycerine solution.



Symbols

Toe cap made of aluminium that protects the toes from falling objects and compression
Toe cap made of composite that protects the toes from falling objects and compression
Toe cap made of steel that protects the toes from falling objects and compression

Toe cap of carbon nanotube reinforced fibreglass, which protects the toes against falling objects and compression.

Protective midsole made of flexible fibrous material that protects the foot against sharp objects penetrating the outsole
Protective midsole made of steel that protects the foot against sharp objects penetrating the outsole
Protective midsole made of wood that protects the foot against sharp objects penetrating the outsole
With ProNose, which is an extra toe reinforcement of the upper that makes the footwear suitable for work involving kneeling
The outsole is fuel and oil resistant (FO)
Insulating against cold
With waterproof and breathable membrane
Footwear without metal

Reflective details: Footwear with reflectors. 

Ladder grip
BOA® Fit System: Fast and easy closure system
Conductive footwear in accordance with standard IEC 61340-4-3, with electrical resistance ≥0.1 MΩ <100 MΩ.