If you've read about safety shoe certification before, there's a good chance the source was still describing EN ISO 20345:2011. The standard has moved on. The current revision is EN ISO 20345:2022, amended by EN ISO 20345:2022+A1:2024, and it is the version safety footwear sold in the UK today should be tested against.
This guide explains what EN ISO 20345 actually covers, what changed in the 2022 revision, and how to read the classification printed on a safety shoe label, using Xnexz's own current certification as a real, checkable example throughout.
In Short
EN ISO 20345 is the European and UK standard for safety footwear. It sets baseline requirements for toe protection, slip resistance and build quality, then adds optional letter codes, such as S1P, WR or SRC, for specific extra protection.
- Current revision: EN ISO 20345:2022, amended by EN ISO 20345:2022+A1:2024
- A baseline category, SB, plus main categories S1 through S7 by construction type
- Extra protection is added through letter codes such as P, PL, WR, FO and SR
- Every rating is printed on the label and backed by an EU-type examination certificate
What Is EN ISO 20345, in Plain English?
EN ISO 20345 is the European harmonised standard for safety footwear sold across the UK and EU. It defines how shoes are tested for impact, compression, slip resistance and build quality, and sets the classification codes, such as SB, S1, S1P and S3, printed on the label.
Safety footwear is not self-certified. Before a shoe can carry CE or UKCA marking against this standard, an independent notified body must test it and issue a certificate. In the UK, this sits alongside the PPE at Work Regulations, which place the duty on employers to assess risk and provide suitable footwear.
What Changed Between the 2011 Standard and EN ISO 20345:2022+A1:2024?
The current revision replaced the 2011 version and introduced several practical changes buyers should know.
| Change | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Insert marking split | Inserts are now marked P for metallic, or PL and PS for non-metallic inserts tested with different point sizes, instead of one general puncture marking. |
| New water-resistance categories | S6 and S7 were added for polymer or rubber footwear with full water resistance across the entire shoe. |
| New ladder-grip marking | LG identifies outsoles specifically tested for grip on ladder rungs. |
| FO reclassified | Fuel and oil resistance is now its own optional marking rather than being bundled automatically into S1. |
Two shoes labelled S1P are not automatically identical if one is certified to 2011 and the other to 2022.
What Does EN ISO 20345 Actually Test and Require?
Every safety shoe must meet a baseline set of tests before any letter codes are added: the toe cap resists a 200 joule impact and a 15 kilonewton compression load, the heel absorbs a set minimum of energy, the seat region is closed, and the finished shoe is tested for slip resistance.
These sit under the SB category, and every higher category up to S7 builds on top by adding tested features such as antistatic performance, puncture resistance or water resistance.
What Do the S1, S1P, S2 and S3 Markings Mean?
S1, S1P, S2 and S3 describe increasing combinations of protection built on the SB baseline, with S1P adding puncture resistance and S2 and S3 adding water and cleated-outsole requirements.
| Category | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| SB | Baseline toe protection only. |
| S1 | SB plus antistatic properties, closed seat region and heel energy absorption. |
| S1P | S1 plus a puncture-resistant midsole. |
| S2 | S1 plus water penetration and absorption resistance for the upper. |
| S3 | S2 plus puncture resistance and a cleated outsole. |
S4 to S7 cover all-rubber or all-polymeric footwear with their own water-resistance requirements. See our guide to S1P safety shoes for a closer look at how S1P compares to S2 and S3.
What Do the Extra Letter Codes Like P, FO and SR Mean?
Alongside the main categories, EN ISO 20345 uses letter codes for specific tested properties not automatically included in every category.
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| P | Metallic penetration-resistant insert. |
| PL | Non-metallic penetration-resistant insert, larger test point. |
| PS | Non-metallic penetration-resistant insert, smaller test point. |
| WR | Full water resistance across the entire shoe. |
| FO | Fuel and oil resistant outsole. |
| SR | Slip resistant, tested on defined floor and contaminant combinations. |
These are usually printed together after the category, for example S1PL FO SR, so the full label says far more than the category letter alone. Read our S1P safety trainers buying guide for more.
How Is This Shown on a Real UK Certificate?
Every EN ISO 20345 shoe should be backed by a real EU-type examination certificate, and Xnexz's own PulseX and StrideX certificates are a useful example.
PulseX & StrideX — EU-Type Examination Certificates
Issued by CTC, Notified Body No. 0075, Lyon, France
The PL marking means the puncture-resistant layer in PulseX and StrideX is a non-metallic insert, tested with the larger of the two non-metallic test points, rather than a metal plate. The toe cap itself is still a metallic aluminium toe rather than steel, which is a separate material choice from the non-metallic insert. This sits within the family generally shortened to S1P, which Xnexz also uses in its product descriptions, though the certificate itself records the more precise S1PL FO SR classification.
Asking any brand for its certificate number is a sensible check before relying on a printed claim alone.
What EN ISO 20345 Doesn't Tell You
Certification confirms a shoe met defined laboratory tests on the date of issue. It does not confirm the shoe suits every workplace, and it does not remove the need for a proper risk assessment.
An S1P-type rating, including the S1PL FO SR classification carried by Xnexz footwear, is generally associated with dry, controlled or light-duty environments. It is not a substitute for S3 or specialist footwear on wet or muddy outdoor sites, for ankle or metatarsal protection, for welding or foundry work, or wherever a risk assessment calls for a higher standard. A damaged or badly fitted certified shoe may also not perform as tested.
How to Use the Standard When Choosing Safety Shoes
Start with your employer's PPE policy and risk assessment, since that decides which category your role needs, not personal preference. Our UK safety shoe buying checklist walks through the rest of the process step by step.
- Check your employer's risk assessment first; it sets the minimum category required.
- Look for the exact classification on the label, not just a general safety claim.
- Ask for the EU-type certificate number and notified body to verify a claim before buying.
- Match extra codes, such as WR for wet work, to your actual daily hazards.
- Check the standard reference is current, EN ISO 20345:2022 or later, not an old 2011 batch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is EN ISO 20345:2011 still valid?
Manufacturers are moving to the 2022 revision, but footwear already certified under 2011 can generally continue to be sold. Check the marking date rather than assuming.
What is the difference between S1P and S3?
S1P adds puncture resistance to the S1 baseline. S3 adds puncture resistance and a cleated outsole on top of S2's water resistance, generally suiting wetter, rougher sites.
Does a higher letter always mean a safer shoe?
Not necessarily. Each code describes a specific tested property, not a general safety score. The right choice matches your job's hazards.
Certification Is the Starting Point, Not the Whole Answer
Xnexz PulseX and StrideX are built and certified to EN ISO 20345:2022+A1:2024, Category S1PL FO SR, tested by CTC as an independent notified body. That makes them a genuine, currently certified option for suitable light-duty and controlled workplaces where S1P-type protection is accepted — not a claim that they suit every job or site.
Xnexz is a new UK brand, and we would rather explain the standard properly than oversell what a certificate can promise. If your workplace accepts S1P-type footwear, check the current certificate, take a look at PulseX or StrideX, and tell us honestly how they perform in your real working week.
