An impartial and factual guide to how Safety Footwear is classified in Europe.
Any product that is classified as SB only has a protective toecap.
Safety toe cap protection only, tested with 200J impact and 15KN compression force
Metal Penetration resistant outsole – value shall not pass less than 1100N with no separation of layers
SB, P
SBP Styles should only be specified for indoor environments where they will not be exposed to rainwater or outdoor elements.
Safety toe cap protection only, tested with 200J impact and 15KN compression force
Non Metal Penetration resistant outsole – value shall not pass less than 1100N with no separation of layers
SB, PL
SBL Styles should only be specified for indoor environments where they will not be exposed to rainwater or outdoor elements.
Safety toe cap protection only, tested with 200J impact and 15KN compression force
Non Metal Penetration resistant outsole – Average penetration value shall not pass less than 1100N
SB, PS
SBS Styles should only be specified for indoor environments where they will not be exposed to rainwater or outdoor elements.
Class I – Footwear made from leather and other materials
Closed heel area,
Tested with 200J impact and 15KN compression force,
Anti-Static
Heel energy absorption
SB, A, E
S1 styles should only be specified for indoor environments where they will not be exposed to rainwater or outdoor elements.
Class I – Footwear made from leather and other materials
Closed heel area,
Tested with 200J impact and 15KN compression force,
Anti-Static
Heel energy absorption
Metal Penetration resistant outsole – value shall not pass less than 1100N with no separation of layers
SB, A, E, P
S1P styles should only be specified for indoor environments where they will not be exposed to rainwater or outdoor elements but where there is a risk underfoot.
| Class I – Footwear made from leather and other materials Closed heel area, Tested with 200J impact and 15KN compression force, Anti-Static Heel energy absorption Non Metal Penetration resistant outsole – value shall not pass less than 1100N with no separation of layers SB, A, E, PL |
S1L styles should only be specified for indoor environments where they will not be exposed to rainwater or outdoor elements but where there is a risk underfoot.
Class I – Footwear made from leather and other materials
Closed heel area,
Tested with 200J impact and 15KN compression force,
Anti-Static
Heel energy absorption
Non Metal Penetration resistant outsole – Average penetration value shall not pass less than 1100N
SB, A, E, PS
S1S styles should only be specified for indoor environments where they will not be exposed to rainwater or outdoor elements but where there is a risk underfoot.
Class I – Footwear made from leather and other materials
Closed heel area,
Tested with 200J impact and 15KN compression force,
Anti-Static,
Heel energy absorption,
Water penetration resistant upper
SB, A, E, WRU
As S1 styles but with water repellent upper.
Class I – Footwear made from leather and other materials
Closed heel area,
Tested with 200J impact and 15KN compression force,
Anti-Static,
Heel energy absorption,
Water penetration resistant upper,
Metal Penetration resistant outsole – value shall not pass less than 1100N with no separation of layers
Cleated Outsole
SB, A, E, WRU, P
S3 styles are the most commonly specified standard for industry. They usually have additional features that are classified separately.
Class I – Footwear made from leather and other materials
Closed heel area,
Tested with 200J impact and 15KN compression force,
Anti-Static,
Heel energy absorption,
Water penetration resistant upper
Non Metal Penetration resistant outsole – value shall not pass less than 1100N with no separation of layers
Cleated Outsole
SB, A, E, WRU, PL
S3L styles have non metal components and are most commonly specified standard for industry. They usually have additional features that are classified separately.
Class I – Footwear made from leather and other materials
Closed heel area,
Tested with 200J impact and 15KN compression force,
Anti-Static,
Heel energy absorption,
Water penetration resistant upper
Non Metal Penetration resistant outsole – Average penetration value shall not pass less than 1100N
Cleated Outsoles
SB, A, E, WRU, PS
S3S styles have non metal components and are most commonly specified standard for industry. They usually have additional features that are classified separately.
Any product that is a polymer or rubber moulded construction making them water and leak proof. i.e. Wellingtons. Includes protective toe cap.
S4 styles are used in areas where there is a constant presence of water or liquids, where toe protection is required.
Any product that is a polymer or rubber moulded construction making them water and leak proof. i.e. Wellingtons. Includes protective toe cap and midsole protection.
S5 styles are used in areas where there is a constant presence of water or liquids, where toe and penetration protection is required.
All rubber or all polymeric anti-static footwear.
Safety toe cap protection only, tested with 200J impact and 15KN compression force
Anti Static
Closed Heel Area
Heel energy absorption
Non Metal Penetration resistant outsole – value shall not pass less than 1100N with no separation of layers
Cleated Outsole
SB, A, E, PL
S5L have non metal protective midsoles and are used in areas where there is a constant presence of water or liquids, where toe and penetration protection is required.
All rubber or all polymeric anti-static footwear.
Safety toe cap protection only, tested with 200J impact and 15KN compression force
Anti Static
Closed Heel Area
Heel energy absorption
Non Metal Penetration resistant outsole – Average penetration value shall not pass less than 1100N
Cleated Outsoles
SB, A, E, PS
S5S have non metal protective midsoles and are used in areas where there is a constant presence of water or liquids, where toe and penetration protection is required.
Class I – Footwear made from leather and other materials
Closed heel area,
Tested with 200J impact and 15KN compression force,
Anti-Static,
Heel energy absorption,
Water penetration resistant upper
Water resistant
SB, A, E, WRU, WR
S6 have non metal protective midsoles and are used in areas where there is a constant presence of water or liquids, where toe and penetration protection is required.
Class I – Footwear made from leather and other materials
Closed heel area,
Tested with 200J impact and 15KN compression force,
Anti-Static,
Heel energy absorption,
Water penetration resistant upper,
Metal Penetration resistant outsole – value shall not pass less than 1100N with no separation of layers
Cleated Outsole
Water Resistant
SB, A, E, WRU, P, WR
S7 are used in areas where there is a constant presence of water or liquids, where toe and penetration protection is required.
Class I – Footwear made from leather and other materials
Closed heel area,
Tested with 200J impact and 15KN compression force,
Anti-Static,
Heel energy absorption,
Water penetration resistant upper,
Non Metal Penetration resistant outsole – value shall not pass less than 1100N with no separation of layers
Cleated Outsole
Water Resistant
SB, A, E, WRU, P, WR, PL
S7L have non metal protective midsoles and are used in areas where there is a constant presence of water or liquids, where toe and penetration protection is required.
Class I – Footwear made from leather and other materials
Closed heel area,
Tested with 200J impact and 15KN compression force,
Anti-Static,
Heel energy absorption,
Water penetration resistant upper,
Non Metal Penetration resistant outsole – Average penetration value shall not pass less than 1100N
Cleated Outsole
Water Resistant
SB, A, E, WRU, P, WR, PS
S7S have non metal protective midsoles and are used in areas where there is a constant presence of water or liquids, where toe and penetration protection is required.
Slip Resistance. Tested on ceramic floor tile and glycerine.
SR rated footwear is suitable for areas with potential slip hazards.
A boot classified at WR is fully waterproof and normally includes a breathable waterproof membrane, and can be worn in extreme wet weather conditions and not leak through.
Footwear that have been tested and passed the CI standard offer enhanced protection in extreme, cold environments.
The cut resistant standard which measures resistance to lacerations from sharp objects.
Footwear suitable for high risk occupations such as fire and rescue and glass processing.
Footwear that have been tested and passed the HI standard can be used when heat insulation is required to help keep the user cool, and is not recommended for very hot surfaces where HRO is more appropriate.
Styles that have been tested and passed the HRO standard can be used in close proximity to hot surfaces such as freshly laid road surfaces.
Any product that offers additional metatarsal protection that surpasses the specified blunt trauma test for the M standard, which includes the bar impactor and wedge impactor test.
Commonly found in police public order, heavy industrial workplaces, or logistics where heavy objects are hand carried and there is a risk of injury to the metatarsal area of the foot, such as moving heavy gas and chemical bottles.
Any product that has passed the appropriate test using molten metal splashes is certified with the Wg/Fe/Ai standard.
Wg = Small Molten Metal Splashes i.e. welding sparks (Welding Boots)
Ai = Aluminium Splash (Foundry boots) up to 780°(+/-50°)
Fe = Iron Splash (Foundry boots) up to 1400° (+/-50°)
Boots specified Wg can be used in the welding and fabricating industries, Foundry boots with Ai and Fe certification can be used in hot metal foundry environments.
Goliath Footwear produces Type 2 Boots for Firefighters. These has been tested to EN 20345 plus additional tests for insulation against heat, flame resistance (leather upper AND outsole), penetration resistance, resistance to fuel oil, contact heat resistance and tested for it’s antistatic properties.
Type 2 Suitable for fire rescue, fire suppression, and property conservation in buildings,enclosed structures, vehicles, vessels, or like properties that are involved in a fire or emergency situation.