The CEN standards harmonised under Directive 89/686/EEC identifies these 3 types of accident prevention footwear in EN ISO 20345:2011, EN ISO 20346:2014 and EN ISO 20347:2012.

EN ISO 20345:2011 -Personal protective equipment - Safety footwear

ISO 20345 specifies basic and additional (optional) requirements for safety footwear used for general purpose. Specifically, the footwear protects the wearer’s toes against injury from falling objects and crushing. The impact protection (falling objects) provided is 200 Joules and the compression protection (crushing) provided is 15 kN (1530 kg). Additional protective features can be provided in the footwear and are identified by additional markings on the product.

EN ISO 20346:2014 -Personal protective equipment - Protective footwear

EN ISO 20346 specifies basic and additional (optional) requirements for protective footwear used for general purpose. The impact protection (falling objects) provided is 100 Joules and the compression protection (crushing) provided is 10 kN (1000 kg).

EN ISO 20347:2012 - Personal protective equipment - Occupational footwear

EN ISO 20346 defines the basic and additional requirements for occupational footwear that is not exposed to any mechanical risks (impact or compression). These shoes are not provided with toecaps.

The choice among the 3 types of footwear is made taking into account in addition to the basic requirements also the additional requirements.