Safety Standards Explained


All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) footwear supplied to the European market requires a valid EC type-examination certificate. The EC type-examination certificates are issued by European notified body test houses such as ITS Interek testing services Ltd and SATRA Technology Centre.

Anvil Traction offers specialised technical support, for peace of mind and all of our supplied PPE footwear is fully compliant with the latest European standard; Our supplied safety footwear is tested in accordance with EN ISO 20345:2011 standards and our occupational footwear is tested in accordance with EN ISO 20347:2012 standards.

We have representation on the CEN/TC161 European Safety Standards Committee for foot and leg protectors so you can be rest assured that at Anvil Traction we are always fully knowledgeable of and compliant with the most up-to-date safety standards.


  • (EN) Standard across Europe

    (ISO) All footwear PPE products must meet the minimum safety standards as defined by the International Organisation for Standardisation.

    (20345/20347) Assigned legislation number

    (2011/2012) The year in which the safety standard was updated.

  • (SB) Basic requirements (Innocuousness, strength, resistance to shocks hazards and compression: 200J)

    (S1) SB + Closed back + A + E + FO

    (S2) S1 + WRU

    (S3) S2 + P + Studded sole

    (S4) Closed back + A + E + FO

    (S5) S4 + P + Studded sole

    (Classification I) Leather & other materials

    (Classification II) All-rubber or all-polymeric types

  • (OB) Basic requirements (Innocuousness, strength, without toecap)

    (O1) OB + Closed back + A + E

    (O2) S1 + WRU

    (O3) S2 + P + Studded sole

  • (A) Antistatic footwear

    (AN) Ankle protection

    (CI) Insulation against cold

    (CR) Cut-resistant upper

    (E) Energy absorption in the heel region

    (ESD) Electro Static Discharge

    (FO) Resistance to fuel oil of outsole

    (HI) Insulation against heat

    (HRO) Heat-resistant outsole to contact heat (300°C during 1 min)

    (M) Metatarsal protection

    (P) Penetration resistance

    (WR) Water-resistant

    (WRU) Water-resistant upper

  • (SRA) Slipping resistance on a ceramic tile wet with dilute soap solution.

    (SRB) Slipping resistance on smooth steel with glycerol.

    (SRC) SRA + SRB

GROUPS AND Accreditations