Overview
ISO 20344:2021 - "Personal protective equipment - Test methods for footwear" is the international reference for standardized PPE footwear testing. The third edition (2021) specifies the procedures, sampling, conditioning and reporting requirements for laboratory tests used to evaluate protective footwear performance. It is intended to be used together with product performance standards (for example safety footwear standards) to verify compliance with specified protective properties.
Key technical topics and requirements
ISO 20344:2021 defines a structured approach to testing whole footwear and individual protective components. Major technical topics include:
- General testing parameters
- Sampling plans, conditioning before and during tests, prerequisites, and standardized test reports.
- Whole-footwear test methods
- Ergonomic features and fit assessments.
- Upper/outsole and sole interlayer bond strength.
- Toecap dimensions, impact resistance and compression resistance.
- Behaviour of toecaps and perforation-resistant inserts under thermal and chemical exposure.
- Leak proofness and water resistance (trough and dynamic tests).
- Perforation resistance (metallic and non-metallic inserts) and insert flex resistance.
- Electrical resistance testing for dissipative or conductive footwear.
- Slip resistance evaluations on defined surfaces and test liquids.
- Insulation against heat and cold, plus energy absorption in the seat region.
- Metatarsal protection impact testing.
- For each test the standard sets out the principle, required test equipment, sampling & conditioning, test method and reporting elements.
Practical applications and who uses ISO 20344:2021
ISO 20344:2021 is used to create consistent, repeatable results for evaluating protective footwear. Typical applications:
- Footwear manufacturers: to design, validate and document protective properties during product development and quality control.
- Accredited testing laboratories: to perform standardized PPE footwear testing for certification and compliance.
- Certification and conformity assessment bodies: to verify manufacturer claims against performance standards.
- Occupational safety professionals and procurement teams: to compare products based on documented test results (impact resistance, slip resistance, insulation, etc.).
- Regulators and industry standards committees: to harmonize test practice across markets.
Related standards
For implementation or certification, consult the full ISO 20344:2021 text and the applicable product performance standard (e.g., ISO 20345) to ensure complete compliance with both test methods and performance criteria.
