Here is what the main codes mean and how to match them to the job.
The starting point: toe protection
All safety footwear under EN ISO 20345 has a toe cap tested to 200 joules of impact. Footwear with only that and the basic requirements is marked SB. The S codes build on it, adding protection in steps. Each step includes everything from the step below.
The main codes
These are the codes you will see most often on boots and trainers for UK work.
- S1: closed heel, antistatic and energy absorption at the heel. Suits dry indoor work
- S1P: S1 plus puncture resistance underfoot
- S2: S1 plus an upper that resists water penetration and absorption
- S3: S2 plus puncture resistance and a cleated outsole for rough ground
- S6: S2 with water resistance for the whole boot
- S7: S3 with water resistance for the whole boot
The new puncture markings: P, PL and PS
The 2022 revision made puncture protection clearer. P now means a metal midsole. Non-metal midsoles are tested with a nail and marked by the nail used: PL for the 4.5 mm nail and PS for the thinner 3 mm nail, which is the harder test to pass.
So you may see codes like S1PS, S3L or S3S on labels. The letter after the code tells you the type of puncture protection. If your crews work where screws, nails or glass fragments are common, ask which type a boot has, not just whether it is puncture resistant.
Slip resistance has changed too
The old SRA, SRB and SRC markings have gone. Basic slip testing on a tiled floor with a soapy solution is now part of every safety shoe, so it carries no extra mark. Footwear that also passes a test with glycerine, an oily liquid, is marked SR. Kitchens, food plants and garages often look for SR.
Matching the code to the job
Warehouses and dry factory floors often suit S1 or S1P trainers. Building sites, groundworks and scaffolding usually need S3 because of mud, debris and nails. Farms, drainage and wet outdoor work point towards S7. These are only patterns. Check your site rules or risk assessment, as some clients name a code in their contract.
Where to put your logo
Boots themselves are not branded, so footwear is about matching the rest of the uniform. Pick a boot colour that works with your trousers, and put the effort into the embroidered polo, softshell or hi-vis that people actually see. If you order footwear alongside branded workwear, list each person's shoe size with their garment sizes so everything arrives together for each starter.
