Technical experts in the standardisation of footwear for professional use gathered in Vienna
Members of the European Committee CEN/TC 161 and the International Committee ISO/TC 94/SC3 -among which INESCOP’s technical experts are included- gathered in Vienna to work on the preparation of European standards in the field of footwear for professional use.
During the 5th, 6th and 7th of February experts in footwear for professional use from European companies and technology centres in Germany, Austria, Italy, France, Spain, Holland and Finland gathered in Vienna, Austria, to participate in the standardisation meetings organised by the European Committee and the International Committee, with the aim of deciding about the current standards of footwear for professional use.
As usual, during the meeting, the latest general revision of the standards EN ISO 20344, 5, 6 and 7 was carried out. EN ISO 20344 is the main reference standard of test methods for PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) footwear in Europe. This standard comprises all the test methods that are used in the other standards, and it also indicates the number of samples that must be taken for each test.
Regarding the standard EN ISO 20345, the attendees discussed its Annex in which, for the first time, the criteria for safety footwear are to be applied to orthopaedic footwear. For this purpose, three types of orthopaedic footwear were considered: in the first type, an orthopaedic insole is introduced in already certified footwear; in the second type, more or less frequent modifications to certified footwear are taken into consideration, depending on the problems that arise in the feet; the third type is a custom-made shoe for specific users.
Finally, during the third day of meetings, the main body of EN ISO 20345 was revised, as well as the rest of the annexes. This standard sets the requirements for the EN ISO 20344 tests that apply to safety footwear, depending on the marked properties. It classifies the tests depending on whether they are basic or additional and indicates on safety footwear the marking of the additional properties that are fulfilled in each case.
INESCOP participates actively in the footwear technical committees, both on a European (CEN) and international (ISO) scale since they were established more than 20 years ago. In fact, INESCOP was one of the promoters of the creation of such committees. This puts INESCOP at the forefront of the revision and development of these standards, the compliance of which is essential to carry out the compulsory certification of footwear for professional use.