Certifications and symbols
See below for an overview and related explanation of the certifications and symbols used by Sika Footwear.
- Safety footwear: EN ISO 20345:2011 - the old approval
- Safety footwear: EN ISO 20345:2022 - the new approval
- Safety footwear: The differences between EN ISO 20345:2011 and EN ISO 20345:2022
- Approvals of work footwear
EN ISO 20347:2012 - the old approval vs.
EN ISO 20347:2022 - the new approval - 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 |  |
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| 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.
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The outsole is slip tested and approved on ceramic tiles with a soap solution. |
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The outsole is slip tested on a steel plate with glycerine |
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The outsole is slip tested to SRA and SRB. |
Other approvals on EN ISO 20345:2011 - the old approval
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Fuel and oil resistance: Approved oil and fuel resistant outsole. |
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Heat-resistant outsole: Heat-resistant outsole, up to 300 °C for one minute |
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Heat insulation of outsole: Approved heat-insulating outsole. |
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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 | |
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| 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 heel area | 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.
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The outsole is skid tested on ceramic tile with a glycerin solution. |
Other approvals on EN ISO 20345:2022 - the new approval
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SC: Scuff Cap: ProNose approved for work involving kneeling. |
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LG: Ladder Grip: Footwear with ladder grip approved for use on ladders. |
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FO: Fuel & Oil resistance: Approved oil- and fuel-resistant outsole. |
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HRO: Heat Resistant Outsole: Approved heat-resistant outsole that can withstand up to 300°C for one minute. |
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HI: Heat Insulation of Outsole: Approved heat-insulating outsole. |
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CI: Cold Insulation of Outsole: Approved cold-insulating outsole. |
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WR: Water Resistance: Approved waterproof footwear. |
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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.
On the link below you can download an overview of the differences between the old and the new EN ISO Standard, which hopefully can give you a good overview.
Download an overview of the differences between the new and old certifications (PDF)
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:
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OB + A + E |
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OB + A + E + WRU Antistatic sole (ml. <0.1 MΩ - 1000 MΩ) + Shock absorption in the heel, min. 20J + Water repellent upper |
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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
The difference that applies to Sika Footwear between the new and the old approval is the addition of the O6 approval:
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OB + A + E |
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OB + A + E + WPA Antistatic sole (ml. <0.1 MΩ - 1000 MΩ) + Shock absorption in the heel, min. 20J + Water repellent upper |
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OB + A + E + WPA (only applies to waterproof boots) Antistatic sole (ml. <0.1 MΩ - 1000 MΩ) + Shock absorption in the heel, min. 20J + Water repellent upper |
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OB + A + E + WR |
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.
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The outsole is skid tested on ceramic tile with a glycerine solution. |
Symbols
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Toe cap made of aluminium that protects the toes from falling objects and compression |
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Toe cap made of composite that protects the toes from falling objects and compression |
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Toe cap made of steel that protects the toes from falling objects and compression |
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Toe cap of carbon nanotube reinforced fibreglass, which protects the toes against falling objects and compression. |
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Protective midsole made of flexible fibrous material that protects the foot against sharp objects penetrating the outsole |
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Protective midsole made of steel that protects the foot against sharp objects penetrating the outsole |
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Protective midsole made of wood that protects the foot against sharp objects penetrating the outsole |
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With ProNose, which is an extra toe reinforcement of the upper that makes the footwear suitable for work involving kneeling |
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The outsole is fuel and oil resistant (FO) |
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Insulating against cold |
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With waterproof and breathable membrane |
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Footwear without metal |
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Reflective details: Footwear with reflectors. |
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Ladder grip |
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BOA® Fit System: Fast and easy closure system |
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Conductive footwear in accordance with standard IEC 61340-4-3, with electrical resistance ≥0.1 MΩ <100 MΩ. |
