Education & Standards
Safety Footwear Knowledge Hub
Understand EN ISO 20345 safety ratings, protection types, and how to choose the right shoe before you buy. Educated procurement protects your team and your budget.
EN ISO 20345:2022
Safety Classes: SB, S1P, S3, S7 Explained
Safety footwear in Malaysia follows the European EN ISO 20345 standard β the most widely adopted framework for industrial footwear certification, alongside local SIRIM MS ISO 20345 certification. Every safety shoe carries a 200Β joule toe cap as a baseline (class SB) and then earns letters for added protection. The 2022 revision of the standard introduced new classes (S6, S7) and the non-metallic midsole variants you'll see across our metal-free range: a trailing S means a non-metal midsole tested with a 3Β mm nail, and Lwith a 4.5Β mm nail (e.g. S1PS, S3S, S7L).
| Class | What It Includes | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| SB | 200J toe cap. The basic safety requirement all other classes build on. | Baseline toe protection |
| SBP | SB + penetration-resistant midsole (P). No antistatic / energy-absorption requirement. | Value steel toe + midsole shoes |
| S1 | SB + closed heel, antistatic (A) + energy-absorbing heel (E). | Light, dry indoor work |
| S1P | S1 + steel penetration-resistant midsole. | Automotive, assembly, logistics |
| S1PS / S1PL | S1 + non-metallic penetration midsole (S = 3mm nail, L = 4.5mm). Check the toe cap and full shoe construction before claiming the whole shoe is metal-free. | Electronics, ESD, airports |
| S2 | S1 + water-penetration & absorption resistant upper. | Light outdoor, mixed/damp areas |
| S3 | S2 + steel penetration midsole + cleated outsole. | Construction, oil & gas, outdoor |
| S3S / S3L | S3 with a non-metallic (metal-free) penetration midsole. | Outdoor work needing metal-free |
| S5 | Moulded waterproof PVC/rubber boot + toe cap + penetration midsole. | Agriculture, wet & washdown |
| S7 / S7L | S3-equivalent with whole-shoe water resistance (WR); S7L is metal-free. | Wet outdoor, oil & gas |
| OB | Occupational footwear (EN ISO 20347) β comfort & slip features, no toe cap. | Kitchens, F&B, service floors |
Additional Protection Codes
Penetration resistance β steel (P) or non-metallic (PS 3mm, PL 4.5mm)
Slip-resistant β optional ceramic/glycerine test (2022 standard, highest rating)
Fuel- and oil-resistant outsole
Heat-resistant outsole (300Β°C contact)
Electrostatic discharge control
Whole-shoe water resistance
Cold insulation of the sole complex
Heat insulation of the sole complex
Scuff-cap abrasion protection over the toe
Ladder grip β midsole shaped for ladder rungs
Metatarsal (instep) protection
Ankle protection
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Steel Toe vs Composite Toe
Steel Toe Cap
- β Highest impact resistance
- β Most affordable option
- β Proven track record
- β Slim profile fits standard lasts
- β Conducts heat and cold
- β Heavier than composite
- β Metal detector alert in airports
- β Rarely offered in ESD versions
Best for:
Construction, heavy manufacturing, oil & gas, general industry
Composite Toe Cap
- β Lightweight (30% lighter)
- β Non-metallic (no detectors)
- β Thermal non-conductor
- β Non-conductive toe cap (check the full shoe for separate ESD certification)
- β Thicker profile (less toe room)
- β Higher cost vs steel
- β Less impact resistance at high force
Best for:
Electronics, airports, ESD environments, logistics, cold storage
Both steel and composite toe caps must meet the same EN ISO 20345 impact standard: 200 joules of impact resistance. The choice comes down to your environment: if you need ESD protection or work near metal detectors, composite is the correct choice. For heavy-duty outdoor or construction work, steel remains the gold standard.
Outsole Safety
Slip Resistance Ratings Explained
Slip resistance was overhauled in EN ISO 20345:2022 (in force since June 2022). A slip test on a ceramic tile wetted with a soap (SLS) solution is now a basic requirement for every safety shoe β so passing it earns no marking at all. Manufacturers can then run an optional additional test on a ceramic tile with glycerine (an oily solution); shoes that pass earn the SR marking β the highest slip rating under the 2022 standard.
The current, highest slip rating β per EN ISO 20345:2022
Awarded for passing the optional ceramic-tile + glycerine (oily) slip test on top of the now-mandatory ceramic-tile + soap test. When a model shows SR, it carries the best-available slip certification under the current standard. All safety shoes must already pass the basic soapy-ceramic test, so there is no separate marking for that.
Legacy markings (2011 standard)
Under the older EN ISO 20345:2011 standard, slip resistance was split into three markings. These no longer exist in the 2022 standard, but you may still see them on stock certified before the change β those certificates stay valid for up to five years from issue, so SRA / SRB / SRC are legacy markings now being phased out.
Test surface: Ceramic tile + soap water
Wet smooth-surface test
Test surface: Steel floor + glycerol
Oily metal-surface test
Test surface: Both SRA and SRB
Top rating (2011 standard)
When ordering, ask for SR (the 2022-standard slip rating) for floors that are both wet and oily or greasy. On older-standard stock, the equivalent top rating is SRC β it passed both the soapy-ceramic and oily-steel tests. Either marking gives you the maximum slip certification the shoe's standard offers, so a model marked SR and one marked SRC are both fully slip-rated.
Static Control
ESD Protection in Safety Footwear
ESD stands for Electrostatic Discharge. When a person builds up static electricity and then contacts a grounded object, a discharge occurs. In most environments this is harmless. In electronics manufacturing or environments with flammable vapours, it can be catastrophic.
Anti-static vs ESD β What's the difference?
Anti-static (A)
Resistance: 100kΞ© to 1000MΞ©. Prevents static buildup for general industrial use. Required in most S1βS3 rated shoes as standard.
ESD (Electrostatic Discharge)
Resistance: 100kΞ© to 35MΞ©. Tighter control than anti-static. Required in electronics assembly, semiconductor fabs, and explosive atmosphere areas.
If you work in a cleanroom, semiconductor facility, or ATEX-rated explosive zone β always specify ESD, not just anti-static. The resistance range is different and the consequences of using the wrong category are serious.
Selection Guide
How to Choose the Right Safety Shoes for Your Team
Identify Your Environment
Indoors or outdoors? Wet or dry? Hot or cold? Oily floors? These determine whether you need WR, HRO, CI or SR (slip) ratings.
Assess Your Hazards
Does the role involve heavy falling objects? Sharps? Electrical? Chemicals? Each hazard maps to a specific protection code.
Consider Shift Length & Comfort
Workers on their feet for 8β12 hours need cushioned insoles and lightweight designs. A safe shoe only works if it's worn all day.
Check Regulatory Requirements
Under Malaysian OSH Act 1994, employers must provide appropriate PPE. CIDB sites typically require S3-rated footwear minimum.
Order Samples First
For bulk orders of 50+ pairs, always request samples to check fit, comfort, and quality before full commitment.
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