Standards and labels

• EN 12568:2010

  I apologize, but there is no EN 12568:2010 standard that I am aware of. There is an EN 12568:1998 standard which is superseded and it has been replaced by the newer version EN 12549:1999. My previous response was in reference to that standard. Please let me know if there is any other information you need.

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• EN 15090:2012

  EN 15090:2012 is a European standard that sets guidelines for the performance of fire-resistance and smoke control systems for windows, doors and shutters used in escape routes. It tells how long the door or window must stay strong and block smoke during a fire. Possible test results include the duration of fire resistance, integrity and insulation performance, and smoke control performance.

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• EN ISO 17249:2013

  EN ISO 17249:2013 is a standard that defines the requirements and test methods for protective gloves used in thermal risks protection. It specifies the performance requirements for protection against thermal risks such as contact heat and flame. The requirements include resistance to heat and flame, and freedom from holes. The test results include the level of protection against thermal risks, and the results of visual inspection. It also includes test procedure for gloves and gives guidelines for the selection, care and use of gloves. It gives also the methods for evaluating the thermal risk protection properties of gloves and the performance levels that can be expected. The standard also includes the requirements for labeling and information to be provided by the manufacturers and suppliers of gloves for thermal risks protection. This version of the standard replaces the previous version EN ISO 17249:2004/A1:2007 and includes updates to the test methods and requirements.

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• EN ISO 20345:2011

  Test results

  General Requirements A

  EN ISO 20345:2011 sets standards for safety footwear intended for professional use, ensuring that such footwear provides adequate protection according to specified safety requirements. Rating A means the footwear has antistatic proterties. The practical implication of an A rating result is that the footwear is certified as having met the necessary conditions for standard professional use, which can reassure procurement professionals of the product's basic safety compliance specific to an industrial or harsh working environment. Such comprehensive testing and certification mean that businesses can ensure worker safety and regulatory compliance when procuring such footwear.

  General Requirements WRU

  The WRU result in the context of standard EN ISO 20345:2011 represents Water Resistant Upper, which indicates that the footwear possesses an upper resistant to water penetration, thereby providing a certain degree of waterproof protection to the wearer's feet. Fundamentally, the test determining this result involves subjecting the upper part of the footwear to a water penetration test under specified conditions of pressure and duration. This ensures that water does not penetrate through the outer surface into the footwear up to a minimal threshold. The practical implication of achieving the WRU result under the EN ISO 20345:2011 standard is that the footwear is suitable for work environments or activities where exposure to water or moisture is prevalent, ensuring durability and increased comfort for the wearer over an extended period of wet conditions. This qualification is particularly crucial for industries like construction, outdoor work, or any professions where workers might be exposed to water around their feet.

  General Requirements E

  The standard EN ISO 20345:2011 encompasses general requirements for safety footwear to ensure they provide adequate protection in various occupational environments. The specification of test result E indicates that the footwear has undergone and successfully met the electrical insulation performance requirements. This specific test assesses footwear's ability to prevent electrical current from passing through the body from the ground, a critical safety feature for those working in environments with electrical hazards. The test involves placing the footwear on a conductive surface and measuring the resistance when a specified voltage is applied, thereby ensuring the footwear provides the necessary protection against electrical hazards. This result is significant for safety footwear, guaranteeing wearer protection in electrical environments and reducing the risk of electrocution, thus contributing to safety standards compliance for occupational footwear in the European market.

  General Requirements CI

  The CI designation in the standard EN ISO 20345:2011 refers to the insulation performance of footwear against cold. This specification indicates that the footwear offers insulation against cold conditions, protecting the wearer's feet from low-temperature environments. The test method for determining this involves measuring the temperature decrease inside the footwear when exposed to cold conditions over a specified period. This performance is crucial for footwear used in conditions where exposure to cold is significant, ensuring safety and comfort for the wearer in such environments. The practical implications for safety footwear in this category include enhanced worker safety and performance in cold climates, applicable to industries such as construction, cold storage, and outdoor operations in winter conditions.

  General Requirements CR

  The standard EN ISO 20345:2011 encompasses general requirements for safety footwear to ensure they provide adequate protection in various occupational environments. Rating 'CR' signifies that the footwear has a cut resistant upper ensuring enhanced protection. The test method involves assessing the material's resistance to splitting or cracking under certain conditions, which simulates real-world industrial hazards involving sharp objects or surfaces. Practically, this result ensures that the footwear is suitable for environments where there is a risk of materials splitting or getting caught, thereby providing essential safety benefits to the user.

  General Requirements FO

  The standard EN ISO 20345:2011, specifically its General Requirement FO, pertains to footwear containing fuel oil-resistant outsoles. When footwear under this specification successfully meets the FO requirement, it implies that the footwear's outsole has been tested and confirmed to resist degradation due to contact with fuel oil. The test involves exposing the outsole material to fuel oil for a determined period, typically 22 hours, at a controlled temperature of 22°C. This test assesses the change in volume and properties of the outsole following fuel oil exposure by measuring its tensile strength and elongation before and after the exposure. For procurement professionals, a positive FO result indicates that the footwear's outsole will maintain its mechanical performance and integrity when in contact with fuel oil, making it suitable for industries where oil exposure is frequent, providing durability and reliable performance under such conditions.

  General Requirements HI

  The General Requirements HI result in the standard EN ISO 20345:2011 indicates that the footwear has been evaluated for insulation against heat. This particular result implies that the footwear can offer a certain level of protection against heat, ensuring that the user's feet are insulated when exposed to high temperatures. The test for this requirement involves assessing the footwear's capacity to provide insulation from heat under controlled test conditions. Given the practical implications, this result suggests that the footwear is suitable for environments where exposure to heat is a significant factor, such as in foundries or steel mills, thereby safeguarding the wearer’s feet against thermal risks. This is crucial for procurement professionals when considering safety footwear for sectors where heat resistance is paramount, ensuring compliance with safety regulations and protective performance criteria.

  General Requirements HRO

  The HRO result listed in the standard EN ISO 20345:2011 pertains to the heat resistance of the outsole of safety footwear. This test result confirms that the outsole is capable of withstanding exposure to high temperatures without degrading its physical properties and performance. The test method requires that the outsole of the footwear be exposed to 300°C for a minimum of 60 seconds under specified conditions, during which the outsole should not melt or crack, ensuring that it continues to provide protection against hot environments. Since the HRO classification attests to heat resistance, this feature is particularly important in industries such as metallurgy or construction, where contact with hot surfaces is a common hazard. Understanding this result can assist procurement professionals in sourcing appropriate safety footwear that meets the required durability and performance in high-temperature working conditions.

  General Requirements M

  The EN ISO 20345:2011 standard specifies the minimum requirements for safety footwear used in the workplace to protect against various risks. The M marking signifies that the safety shoes have metatarsal protection which means the top of the shoe is fortiifed to protect the top of the foot where the metatarsal bones are. The test method to determine compliance with EN ISO 20345:2011 involves assessing features of the shoe and testing that the upper is protective against outside forces. For a product in this category, passing these standards means it’s sufficiently safe for use under the stipulated working conditions, which ensures user safety and adheres to regulatory compliance in the EU market.

  General Requirements P

  EN ISO 20345:2011 specifies safety requirements for footwear used in a range of industries to protect wearers from mechanical risks and other workplace hazards. The 'P' designation indicates that the footwear has been tested for penetration resistance, which means it can withstand a force of up to 1100 Newtons from sharp objects like nails. This test is conducted by applying a specified force to a nail or similar sharp object against the sole of the footwear to ensure it cannot penetrate through to the foot. Footwear meeting this requirement is essential for industries where workers are at risk of stepping on sharp objects, such as construction or manufacturing, providing a critical level of protection to the wearer's feet.

  General Requirements WR

  The standard EN ISO 20345:2011 includes various general requirements for safety footwear, among which the WR test result indicates that the footwear has been certified as water-resistant. This test result specifically means that the footwear has successfully passed evaluations confirming its capability to prevent water penetration under specified conditions. The test method involves the footwear being subject to a dynamic water test, where it is exposed to mechanical action in the presence of water for a certain period to simulate wearing conditions in wet environments. The practical implication of this result for safety footwear is significant as it ensures that the footwear provides adequate protection against water ingress, which is vital for individuals working in environments where exposure to water or dampness is frequent. This certification lends reassurance that the footwear will maintain its performance and comfort in challenging wet conditions, thereby improving wearer safety and job performance.

• Textiles

  Textiles are materials made from fibers, such as cotton, wool, or polyester. In Europe, there are rules for how textiles should be made, sold, and labeled. These rules are set by the European Union. These rules ensure that textiles are safe and do not contain harmful chemicals, that they are labeled correctly and that the use of certain dangerous chemicals are banned. These rules are set to protect the health and safety of consumers and the environment. Companies that make or sell textiles in the EU must comply with these rules.

• PPE Category 3

  PPE stands for "personal protective equipment." PPE Category 3 refers to equipment that is complex and provide the highest level of protection such as powered respirators, SCBA, and full body suits. In Europe, PPE Category 3 must meet certain safety standards set by the European Union, which means that it must be designed and manufactured to protect the user without causing harm. Companies that make or sell PPE must prove that it meets these standards. They also must have a quality management system in place, have to be audited regularly by a notified body and have to have a technical documentation.

• CE Marking

  CE Marking is a label that shows a product meets certain safety and environmental standards set by the European Union. To get the CE Marking, a company must test and certify their product meets these standards. CE Marking is required for many products sold in the EU, including electronics, machinery, toys and medical devices. It helps ensure that products are safe for consumers and the environment, and allows for easy trade within the EU.