EN ISO 20345:2021 standard (CE marking)
International Certification for Safety Footwear
1. Introduction
In the global landscape of safety footwear, there is no single certification universally recognized across all markets.
However, the EN ISO 20345:2021 standard (CE marking) currently represents the most widely adopted, recognized, and accepted international benchmark for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in the footwear sector.
2. Main Standards Worldwide
- Europe: EN ISO 20345 / 20346 / 20347 – CE marking
- USA: ASTM F2413-18 – OSHA standard
- Canada: CSA Z195:14
- Australia/New Zealand: AS/NZS 2210.3:2019
- China: GB 21148-2020 (CCC)
3. International Recognition of the ISO Standard
The EN ISO 20345 certification is, in fact, the most globally recognized standard.
Although it is not “officially” valid as ASTM or CSA in North America, it is widely accepted by distributors, retailers, and consumers as a guarantee of quality, safety, and technical performance.
Many international brands (e.g. Base Protection, U-Power, Diadora Utility, Cofra, CAT Europe) operate exclusively with CE certification in global markets, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and Asia.
4. Market Validity and Sales
Europe (Retail, B2B, Large-Scale Distribution):
✔ The EN ISO 20345 certification is mandatory and sufficient for sales in all EU and EEA countries.
It allows distribution in large-scale retail, hardware stores, specialized chains, and official B2B channels.
International Online Market (E-commerce / B2B):
✔ It is fully legitimate to sell footwear certified under EN ISO 20345 (CE) to non-EU countries (USA, Canada, Australia, etc.), provided they are not advertised as “ASTM certified” or “OSHA approved.”
Products can be promoted as “European Safety Footwear – EN ISO 20345 Certified.”
There are no restrictions for online sales to end consumers in any country.
Industrial Market USA/Canada (regulated professional use):
■ In this segment, ASTM F2413-18 or CSA Z195 certification is required, but only for specific industrial contracts or tenders.
This does not apply to B2C or online retail sales.
5. Strategic Conclusion
For a brand operating in Europe and selling internationally online, choosing only the EN ISO 20345:2021 (CE) certification is the most efficient, cost-effective, and globally recognized solution.
It ensures:
- Full legal compliance within the EU market
- International product recognition
- Freedom of global online sales
- Elimination of double-certification costs
6. Summary Table
| Market Area | Required Certification | Validity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU / EEA | EN ISO 20345 (CE) | Legal and mandatory | Compliant for retail, GDO, and B2B |
| USA / Canada (online) | EN ISO 20345 (CE) | Accepted | Legitimate B2C sales |
| USA / Canada (industrial) | ASTM F2413 / CSA Z195 | Required | Only for regulated PPE use in companies |
| Asia / Oceania | EN ISO 20345 (CE) | Recognized | Broad acceptance |
Final Conclusion
Therefore, for our GDO and online market strategy, we will adopt exclusively the EN ISO 20345:2021 (CE) certification, ensuring full compliance in Europe and international technical recognition, while enabling global sales without legal or commercial restrictions.