PURPOSE
Basic and additional performance requirements for general-purpose protective footwear.
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SERNEM · Foot protection
EN ISO 20346Protective footwear
Basic and additional performance requirements for general-purpose protective footwear.
Illustrative image; verify real product conformity from markings and certificates.
TYPICAL USE
Workplaces with assessed impact and other foot hazards.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Check EN ISO 20346, category and declared performance; do not confuse it with EN ISO 20345.
TECHNICAL CLASSES AND SELECTION
Technical distinctions within this standard
Do not select PPE by code alone. Verify the following distinctions using actual product markings and manufacturer documentation.
Protective toe
Protective toe is provided; verify its class on marking.
Additional properties
Verify slip, penetration or heat properties separately.
Code and marking decoder
EN ISO 20346Relevant product standard; confirm applicable edition.
Class / TypeRead product-specific declared performance.
ManufacturerModel, serial, maintenance and traceability.
Where are product markings found?
On tongue/lining/label with manufacturer, size, standard and category.
Check EN ISO 20346, category and declared performance; do not confuse it with EN ISO 20345.
COMPARE STANDARDS
Not interchangeable
EN ISO 20346 and EN ISO 20345 do not describe identical toe-impact classes.
WRONG SELECTION
Field mistake
Assuming EN ISO 20346 footwear automatically satisfies an EN ISO 20345 site requirement.
BETTER APPROACH
Risk-based choice
Choose the correct toe rating and additional properties based on site risk assessment.
Typical applications
01 · Light industry
02 · Logistics
03 · Warehousing
1Verify product and standard marking.
2Check protection performance for task hazards.
3Read footwear marking and protection category.
4Inspect sole wear, slip hazards and fit.
5Check damage, service life, inspection and manufacturer instructions.