UKCA/CE Certification – ISO EN 20345:2022 + A1:2024
EN ISO 20345:2022 + A1:2024 is the latest international safety footwear standard, harmonised for both CE (EU) and UKCA (UK) certification. It updates the 2011 version, introducing clearer requirements, new test methods, and revised markings to ensure safety footwear offers realistic and reliable protection.
🛡️ What EN ISO 20345:2022 + A1:2024 Means
- Scope: Applies to all safety footwear (boots, shoes, wellingtons) intended to protect against workplace hazards.
- CE marking: Mandatory in the EU under PPE Regulation (EU) 2016/425.
- UKCA marking: Mandatory in Great Britain under PPE Regulation 2016/425 (as amended).
All Buckbootz Safety Footwear is tested and certified to ISO EN 20345 safety standards and you will find both CE and UKCA marking on the inner labels of all our products.
S3 vs. S5 vs. S7 Safety Footwear Comparison
The following table details the key features required by the EN ISO 20345 standard for each safety rating:
|
Feature |
S3 |
S5 |
S7 |
|
Material Class |
Class I (Leather/Textile/Other materials) |
Class II (All-rubber/Polymeric) |
Class I (Leather/Textile/Other materials) |
|
Toe Protection |
Yes (200 Joule impact resistance) |
Yes (200 Joule impact resistance) |
Yes (200 Joule impact resistance) |
|
Antistatic Properties |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Energy Absorption (Heel) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Puncture-Resistant Midsole |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Cleated Outsole (Tread) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Water Resistance (Upper) |
Water-repellent upper (WPA) |
Fully waterproof (due to material) |
Fully waterproof (WR) |
|
Water Resistance (Whole Footwear) |
Limited (WPA) |
Yes (lasting water resistance) |
Yes (lasting water resistance) |
Key Takeaways
- S3 footwear is typically for general work environments where water exposure is minimal to moderate, offering a water-repellent (WPA) upper, but not full waterproofing of the entire boot. It is made of traditional materials like leather or textiles.
- S5 footwear is designed for high-risk, wet environments such as mining, construction sites, or food processing, where full, lasting waterproofing is required. They are made entirely of rubber or polymers (like wellies/Wellingtons).
- S7 is a newer classification under the EN ISO 20345:2022 + A1:2024 standard that provides the same high level of protection as S3 (including puncture resistance and cleated outsole) but in a fully waterproof (WR) format, unlike S3's water-repellent upper. This combines the look and feel of a traditional boot (Class I material) with full waterproofing.
Waterproof v Water Resistant
The majority of Buckbootz leather upper safety footwear is certified to a waterproof specification (S7 / WR). These styles feature a premium internal waterproof membrane that keeps feet dry while allowing breathability and moisture dissipation. All waterproof models undergo flex testing in a water tank, with the vamp area submerged past the toe cap, to ensure a minimum of 15,000 continuous flexes without leakage.
A smaller number of Buckbootz styles are certified to a water-resistant specification (S3 / WPA). While not fully waterproof, the uppers are treated to withstand light drizzle and splashes without leaking.
Rubber Neoprene v PU/PVC wellingtons
Since their introduction in 2008, Buckbootz BBZ rubber neoprene designs have pioneered the concept of a full safety S5 wellington boot. Unlike injected polyurethane or PVC wellingtons, which often suffer from a loose, “floppy” fit that can place pressure on the ankles and feet—leading to trips and sprains—BBZ neoprene boots provide a snug, supportive fit.
Neoprene lining also offers breathability and insulation, keeping feet comfortable in both cold and hot conditions. By contrast, PU/PVC boots are typically unlined, making them less comfortable in variable temperatures. Once you try BBZ S5 boots, you’ll understand why they’re trusted by hundreds of thousands of wearers across the UK and northern Europe
Non-Metallic Specification
Over the past decade, rising demand for lighter PPE has driven Buckbootz to develop non-metallic safety components. Composite toe caps and anti-penetration midsoles deliver maximum protection while significantly reducing weight. These components also provide greater flexibility compared to steel, which, while strong, conducts electricity, heat, and cold.
Buckbootz premium composite materials combine safety, comfort, and durability—meeting modern expectations for lightweight, high-performance footwear.
Rubber Outsoles
Buckbootz has always believed that rubber outsoles must be durable and built to last. That’s why every Buckbootz design incorporates a premium rubber outsole. Rubber is the material of choice for vehicle tyres for good reason: alternatives such as polyurethane (PU) and other thermoplastics have a short shelf life, degrade quickly, suffer from moisture breakdown (hydrolysis), and ultimately fail to deliver the grip and traction required on the road.
For the same reasons, Buckbootz avoids PU and thermoplastic outsoles. While competitors may reduce costs by using these materials, they introduce a range of issues for the wearer. Buckbootz instead takes pride in offering premium rubber outsole designs that maximize grip, slip resistance, and deliver additional benefits such as ladder grips and heat resistance.
Slip Resistance and Ladder Grips
Is slip resistance a mandatory feature in safety footwear?
Yes, under the updated EN ISO 20345:2022 + A1:2024 standard, a basic level of slip resistance is now a mandatory requirement for all safety footwear and does not carry a specific marking.
How is slip resistance tested?
Testing is conducted on a ceramic tile surface using a soap solution (sodium lauryl sulphate). Unlike older standards, the test now involves heel and forepart movements, better simulating natural walking, rather than just flat contact.
What happened to the old SRA, SRB, and SRC ratings?
These ratings have been removed to avoid confusion and are replaced by the mandatory basic test.
Is there an optional, higher slip resistance rating?
Yes, footwear that passes an additional, more rigorous test on a ceramic floor with glycerin (which represents oily surfaces) can be marked with the optional 'SR' symbol.
Does the sole design matter for slip resistance?
Yes, both the tread pattern and the sole compound are important. Softer soles work well with fluid contaminants indoors, while more open patterns are better for solid contaminants and outdoor environments.
What are ladder grips on safety footwear?
Ladder grips are specific design features on the outsole, typically in the ankle area, which have a transverse profile with a height of at least 1.5 mm. They are designed to provide enhanced grip on ladder rungs.
Is a ladder grip test mandatory?
It is a new, optional test for safety footwear under EN ISO 20345:2022 + A1:2024.
How is the ladder grip test indicated?
Footwear that has been tested for grip on ladder rungs and meets the standard will carry the 'LG' marking.
Does the 'LG' test replace general ladder safety practices?
No. The 'LG' marking indicates an enhanced safety feature in the boot, but proper ladder safety practices, such as maintaining three points of contact and securing the ladder base, are still essential for safe use. The HSE website provides comprehensive guidance on ladder safety.
What does ESD mean?
This is about preventing electrostatic discharging between two bodies, for instance human to human, or human to equipment or part. We have all experienced electrical shocks from a spark when touching a door handle. In companies that use sensitive equipment, the smallest of sparks could destroy parts or delete data. To prevent this you need to wear ESD shoes that prevent electrostatic charging. They are required for instance in the following operations:
ESD footwear is NOT suitable for electricians that work at sources with electrical voltage. |
What is antistatic footwear?
The EU ISO Norm EN20345 states that antistatic footwear should be used to reduce electrostatic charging and guarantee its discharge. They should therefore be worn wherever electrical shocks from equipment or parts are possible or where there is a risk that flammable substances could ignite on sparks.
Safety Campaigns and Innovative Features
WE SEE YOU
There is one thing every area of the country has in common 7/365: you get dawn, dusk, darkness and variable and impaired visibility everywhere.
Cold and wet protection requires added features and components.
The Buckbootz We See You campaign spearheaded by a great video illuminates how Buckbootz can shine a light in areas which other brands don’t see.
Buckbootz We See You collections are covered by our groundbreaking Buckzviz and BBZ6000NM/8000/9000 safety ranges.
By providing 360 degrees hi visibility and safety reflective features, your footwear can be seen in all variable lighting conditions up to an impressive distance of 150 metres. In working environments with fast moving equipment and machinery this added value safety can make the difference in being seen and protected.
FITGO Lacing System
The Fitgo® wheel and cable lacing system brings quick and convenient fasten and loosen to footwear lacing. A boon to trades safety footwear users who require to quickly remove and re-fit their footwear.
The Fitgo® system is tested to over 40kg weight pressure. This innovative lace fitting system is incorporated on the TRADEZ Wheelz designs which come in a choice of athleisure dynamically styled mid boot and trainer styles. FITGO is also fitted on the groundbreaking Buckzviz BVIZ7 style.
Championing Personal Safety
Buckbootz has championed personal safety in the construction and agricultural industries since 1998 and is using this unwavering commitment to create new and exciting products to help drive home the absolute necessity of properly protecting all personnel as they go about their daily business, indoors, outdoors and in all weathers.
Ankle Protection and Support
Certified ankle protection has traditionally been available in only a limited number of safety footwear styles, and often the design was poorly executed—typically oversized, overly rigid, and protecting only the outer ankle bone.
In 2020, Buckbootz set out to redefine ankle protection by developing a premium footwear collection that not only maximized protection but also delivered a snug, supportive fit to reduce the risk of trips and sprains. This mission led to the groundbreaking launch of the BBZ8000, the first full safety S5 wellington boot with AN protection.
Building on this innovation, Buckbootz introduced bANg Guardz leather designs, beginning with the BSH014, the very first full safety dealer style to feature integrated ankle protection and supportive fitting.
Metatarsal Protection and Support
With the launch of the BBZ6000 neoprene/rubber CE/UKCA S5 safety boot in 2008, Buckbootz redefined the humble safety welly.
By advancing the design, construction and specification to create BBZ8000 in 2020 and now adding BBZ9000 with metatarsal protection, Buckbootz has taken the concept to new horizons and created some of the most sophisticated and advanced safety footwear products on the planet.
BBZ8000 combines high visibility and 360º reflectivity with certified ankle protection in its extensive safety and comfort specification.
Now BBZ9000 does the same with metatarsal protection - plus one major difference. In its design BBZ9000 incorporates a distinctive sloped collar shape which allows two reinforced pull on lever openings to be built in to the leg stem. Easy to put on, easy to remove thanks to the kick off heel spur and the kind of snug fit which BBZ is renowned for.
The reinforced pull-on levers withstand a 70kg pull test. That’s 140kg per boot - more than Tyson Fury’s fighting weight!
BBZ9000 is the first Buckbootz BBZ product to carry the BBZ logo which will become a feature on all BBZ products. BBZ9000 is part of the WE SEE YOU family so the logo is reflective, of course. It is also the first member of a new Buckbootz® METZ product range which features metatarsal protection.