ISO 20344 Personal Protective Equipment - Test Methods for Footwear

The ISO 20344 standard, published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), describes methods for testing footwear designed as personal protective equipment. The main test methods defined in this standard are as follows:

• Test method for all shoes
  • Specific ergonomic features
  • Determination of upper/outsole and sole interlayer bond strength
  • Determination of nose dimensions
  • Determination of impact strength
  • Determination of compression resistance
  • Behavior of fingertips (thermal and chemical)
  • Determination of sealing
  • Dimensions of puncture resistant inserts
  • Determination of puncture resistance of shoes containing a metallic puncture resistant insert
  • Determination of puncture resistance of shoes with a non-metallic puncture resistant spacer
• Test methods for upper, lining and tongue
  • Determination of upper thickness
  • Measuring the height of the upper part
  • Determination of tear strength of upper, lining and/or tongue
  • Determination of the tensile properties of the top material
  • Determination of upper flexural strength
  • Determination of water vapor permeability
  • Determination of water vapor absorption
  • The water vapor coefficient determination
  • Determination of pH
  • Determination of the resistance of the upper part to hydrolysis
• Test methods for insole, insole and sole of the foot
  • Determination of the thickness of the insole, insole and sole of the foot
  • Determination of water absorption and desorption of insole and/or inner socks
  • Determination of the abrasion resistance of the insole
• Test methods for the outsole
  • General descriptions
  • Determination of outsole dimensions
  • Determination of the tear strength of the outsole
  • Determination of outsole abrasion resistance
  • Determination of shoe stiffness
  • Determining the flexing resistance of the outsole
  • Determination of the resistance of the outsole to hydrolysis
  • Determination of resistance to fuel oil
  • Determination of resistance to hot contact

The ISO 20344 standard takes a very detailed approach compared to other standards that test both the basic safety features of the shoe and the overall performance of the shoe and its components.

Among the numerous test, measurement, analysis and evaluation studies it provides for businesses in various sectors, our organization also provides testing services for shoes among personal protective equipment, within the scope of ISO 20344 standard, with its trained and expert staff and advanced technological equipment.