EN ISO 20346:2021: Essentials and Updates
Introduction to ISO Standards
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Overview of EN ISO 20346:2021
The EN ISO 20346:2021 standard specifies the requirements for protective footwear designed for general use. This includes:
Note: The standard does not address high visibility, as this is influenced by factors such as the surrounding work environment and clothing. For specific hazards, additional standards may apply (e.g., fire-fighting boots, electrical insulating safety footwear, and footwear for protection against chemical and molten metal hazards).
Normative References
The following standards are integral for applying this document:
Key Definitions for Footwear Protection
Protective Footwear: Footwear with protective features designed to safeguard the wearer from injuries due to accidents. Typically includes toecaps that protect against impacts (at least 100 J) and compression (at least 10 kN).
Upper: The part of the shoe covering the toes, top, sides, and back of the foot, attached to the outsole.
Leather: Tanned hide or skin, known for its durability and resilience.
Leather Split: The middle layer of a hide obtained by splitting thick leather, tanned for durability.
Rubber: An elastic polymeric material that can be vulcanized, used in various applications including footwear.
Polymeric Material: Large molecules made of repeating units (monomers) such as Polyurethane (PU) and Polyvinylchloride (PVC).
Insole: The base component of a shoe, typically attached to the upper part during the lasting process.
Insock: A component covering the insole, which may be removable or non-removable.
Seat Sock: A component covering the insole specifically in the heel area, either removable or non-removable.
Footbed: A type of insock designed to conform to the foot’s contours, sometimes used for posture correction.
Lining: The material covering the interior surface of the footwear, in contact with the foot.
Cleat: A protruding part of the outsole providing additional traction.
Outsole: The outermost layer of the shoe that offers traction and protection against surfaces.
Rigid Outsole: An outsole that bends less than 45 degrees under a 30 N load, indicating stiffness.
Multi-layer Outsole: An outsole with two or more material layers, excluding tread covers less than 0.5 mm thick.
Perforation Resistant Insert: A component in the outsole or insole providing protection against perforation.
Protective Toecap: A built-in component protecting the toes from impacts and compression.
Scuff Caps: Materials or components preventing abrasion and scuffing in the toe region, especially useful during kneeling.
Heel Area: The rear part of the footwear, including the counter or stiffener.
Partially Conductive Footwear: Footwear with low electrical resistance, dissipating some static electricity.
Antistatic Footwear: Footwear designed to maintain certain electrical resistance to prevent excessive static electricity buildup.
Fuel Oil: An aliphatic hydrocarbon derived from petroleum.
Customized Protective Footwear
