Certification of safety footwear

Every pair of safety shoes must comply with European regulations. What many people do not realise is that the original CE certification becomes invalid when the original insoles are replaced with orthopaedic insoles.

The main guidelines are:

• EN ISO 20345: safety shoes with a protective toe cap.
• EN ISO 20347: work shoes without a protective toe cap.

CE certification applies to a work or safety shoe in exactly the same form in which it was tested. It is not just the shoe and the sole separately that are important: the entire shoe-sole combination must meet the applicable safety requirements. This is because any modification affects, amongst other things, the fit, toe space, antistatic performance and protective properties of the shoe.

When does the original CE certification expire?
The original CE certification becomes invalid as soon as the original construction of the shoe is modified. This may occur, for example, in the following cases:

• The fitting of a bespoke or podiatric insole that is not part of the certified model;
• Removing parts, such as the original insole or protective layers;
• The installation of external modifications, such as raised sections, corrective elements or other bespoke finishes.

Why is this important?
The manufacturer guarantees only the protective properties of the shoe as originally tested and certified. If the construction is altered, the manufacturer can no longer guarantee the protective properties.

Responsibility for the modified shoe-sole combination therefore lies with the party carrying out the modification or arranging for it to be carried out, for example the employer or the healthcare provider.

Certified insoles in safety footwear
A suitable insole may be necessary to alleviate symptoms and enable you to work safely and comfortably. It is therefore important not to insert an insole into safety footwear yourself.

Rondom
Rondom has a partnership with Steel Blue, EMMA and No Risk, which enables certified shoe-sole combinations. It is also possible to a limited extent for other brands; please discuss this with your practitioner.

Rondom works with the employee to assess which combination of shoe and sole is best suited to the working environment, the safety requirements and the individual’s specific foot support needs.