In a globalized footwear market, safety compliance isn't one-size-fits-all. Depending on where your products are sold — Europe, North America, Asia or beyond — they may need to meet different safety footwear standards. The two most recognized frameworks in the industry are ISO 20345, used widely across Europe and international markets, and ASTM F2413, the standard for safety shoes in the United States.
Understanding these systems is essential if you're designing or producing footwear that needs to meet safety requirements in different parts of the world. This article outlines what each standard includes, how they differ, and what to consider when building compliant shoes.
Why Do Safety Standards Matter?
Safety footwear standards are designed to protect workers from injuries in environments with specific risks. They provide clear, measurable performance benchmarks for:
- Impact and compression resistance
- Penetration and puncture protection
- Slip resistance
- Electrical hazard protection
- Heat or cold insulation
- Fuel and chemical resistance
Meeting these standards ensures your footwear is both safe and legally compliant in the markets where it's sold.
What is ISO 20345?
ISO 20345 is the international safety footwear standard, most commonly adopted in Europe and parts of Asia. It outlines minimum performance requirements for shoes designed to protect against workplace hazards.
Key highlights of ISO 20345:
- Requires a 200-joule impact-resistant toe cap
- Includes slip resistance testing (SRA, SRB, SRC)
- Safety classes such as SB, S1, S1P, S2, and S3
- Covers features like antistatic properties, water resistance, and energy absorption
Common safety classes under ISO 20345:
- SB – Basic safety with toe protection
- S1 – Adds antistatic, closed heel, and energy absorption
- S1P – Includes penetration resistance for dry conditions
- S2 – Adds water absorption and water penetration resistance
- S3 – Builds on S2 with cleated outsoles and full protection for outdoor use
ISO 20345 footwear is typically used in construction, logistics, agriculture, manufacturing, and heavy industrial applications.
What is ASTM F2413?
ASTM F2413 is the safety footwear standard used in the United States and Canada. It focuses on protecting against impact, compression, and other hazards while maintaining consistent labeling for buyers and regulators.
Key highlights of ASTM F2413:
- Requires 75 ft-lbf (≈101.7 J) toe cap resistance
- Includes classifications for impact (I), compression (C), metatarsal protection (Mt)
- Designations for electrical hazard (EH), static dissipative (SD), and puncture resistance (PR)
- Specific labeling format indicating protection levels
Example label:
A boot marked ASTM F2413-18 M/I/75 C/75 EH PR means:
- Certified to the 2018 version of the standard
- Designed for male wearers
- Includes impact and compression protection
- Offers electrical hazard protection
- Is puncture-resistant
ASTM F2413 is widely used in industries like construction, warehousing, oil and gas, and electrical work across North America.
Key Differences Between ISO and ASTM
Although both standards serve similar purposes, there are a few fundamental differences in how they are tested and labeled:
- Impact Testing: ISO uses 200 joules, while ASTM uses 75 ft-lbf (~101.7 J)
- Slip Resistance: ISO has formal grading (SRA–SRC); ASTM does not include slip ratings in the main standard
- Labeling: ISO uses class codes (S1, S3), while ASTM uses alphanumeric codes like I/75 C/75 EH
- Certification Regions: ISO is dominant in Europe and Asia, ASTM in North America
Both systems are respected, but compliance with one doesn’t guarantee compliance with the other.
Designing Footwear for Global Compliance
Designing a product for both ISO and ASTM markets can be complex, but not impossible. Here’s how to approach it:
- Choose materials and components that can pass both sets of tests
- Work closely with certified testing laboratories
- Consider modular tooling or region-specific variants
- Plan ahead for regional certification timelines and costs
By factoring in safety standard requirements early in the design process, you can reduce risk and avoid costly reworks later.
Alcmy’s Role in Safety-Certified Footwear
At Alcmy, we’ve spent decades engineering outsoles and midsoles that meet or exceed the performance requirements of both ISO and ASTM standards. From internal shank placement to slip-resistant rubber compounds, our systems are built with certification in mind.
We can help your team design and develop footwear that is not only stylish and modern, but also fully compliant with global safety requirements.
Final Thoughts
Understanding ISO 20345 and ASTM F2413 is key to designing safety footwear for an international market. Whether you’re launching in Europe, entering the U.S., or planning a global rollout, being clear on certification expectations helps your brand stay ahead — and stay compliant.
Need help building a sole system that meets global safety standards? Get in touch. We’d love to partner on your next product.
