European safety footwear update

The European Commission has published an update regarding the European safety footwear standard EN ISO 20345. Since 16th February 2012, both standard EN ISO 20345:2004 and standard EN ISO 20345:2011 on safety footwear have been harmonised under the PPE Directive. Application of both standards gives a presumption of conformity until 30th June 2013. From 1st July 2013, only EN ISO 20345:2011 will give a presumption of conformity.

EC type-examination certificates can be issued on the basis of the new version of the standard. However, EC type-examination certificates issued on the basis of the superseded 2004 standard remain valid until 30th June 2013.

From 1st July 2013, footwear covered by EC type-examination certificates based on the superseded standard can only continue to be placed on the market if the EC type-examination certificate has been reviewed. The Notified Body must check whether the footwear can still be considered to comply with the applicable basic health and safety requirements (BHSRs) of the PPE Directive in the light of the new version of the standard, or if further examination or testing is required. In particular, footwear with anti-perforation insoles must be subject to the new tests specified in the revised version of the harmonised standard. In light of the outcome of this review, the EC type-examination certificate shall be updated or withdrawn as appropriate.

Safety footwear placed on the market before 1st July 2013 (already in the distribution chain) with EC type-examination certificates based on the superseded standard can continue to be sold to users.

Organisations supplying footwear using EC type-examination certificates to EN ISO 20344:2004 (or EN 345) issued by SATRA are recommended to contact Pete Doughty (ppe@satra.co.uk).

Publishing Data

This article was originally published on page 6 of the March 2013 issue of SATRA Bulletin.

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