AS 2210.3:2019 is the Australian standard for safety footwear with a 200 J toe cap; EN ISO 20345 is its European counterpart. Both test toe impact and compression, but they differ in certification route, markings and who carries the conformity evidence. For importers supplying Australian worksites, the gap between “tested to a standard” and “certified to a standard” decides whether a shipment clears a buyer’s audit.
Most sourcing problems we see are not caused by bad boots. They come from a certificate that lists a different model, a marking that was never actually tested, or a supplier who reads “our factory is ISO 9001” as proof the boot itself is certified. This guide separates the three things buyers should check — the standard, the licence, and the model — and shows how AS 2210.3 compares with EN ISO 20345 in practice. For the specific models we hold under each scheme, see our StandardsMark licence SMK41505: covered models and validity.
Why Australian buyers ask for a different standard
Australian procurement teams rarely ask “is it CE certified?” as the first question. They ask for evidence the footwear conforms to the Australian standard, because that is what their work health and safety (WHS) obligations, insurers and site induction systems are written against.
That does not make CE certification worthless in Australia. It makes it incomplete. A CE certificate proves conformity under the EU PPE Regulation; it does not, on its own, demonstrate that an independent body has assessed the specific model against AS 2210.3 and licensed the use of a certification mark. Buyers who understand this distinction write it into their tender documents, and suppliers who cannot produce the licence are filtered out before price is even discussed.
The two Australian standards that appear in tenders
AS 2210.3:2019 – safety footwear
AS 2210.3:2019 covers footwear fitted with a protective toe cap designed to withstand a 200 J impact and 15 kN compression. This is the standard referenced for construction sites, mining, manufacturing, utilities and any role where a falling-object risk has been identified. If a job requires a steel or composite toe, the specification will point here.
AS 2210.5:2019 – occupational footwear
AS 2210.5:2019 covers occupational footwear — footwear that carries protective features but no 200 J toe cap. It is the reference for food processing, cleaning, healthcare, hospitality and light industrial roles where slip resistance, water resistance or cleanability matter more than impact protection. Specifying AS 2210.3 when the role actually needs AS 2210.5 over-specifies the boot, adds weight and cost, and often reduces wearer compliance.
Both sit in the same standard series and both are assessed under the same third-party certification logic. The practical difference is whether a toe cap is present, and therefore which hazard the boot is claimed to protect against.
AS 2210.3 and EN ISO 20345: how closely they align
AS 2210.3 is built on the same ISO foundation as EN ISO 20345, so the underlying test methods and the classification designations (SB through S5) are broadly comparable. What differs is the conformity route: Europe uses a notified body and EU type-examination under the PPE Regulation, while Australia commonly relies on a third-party product certification scheme — the StandardsMark — that combines type testing with an assessment of the manufacturing process and ongoing surveillance.
| Dimension | AS 2210.3:2019 (Australia) | EN ISO 20345 (EU) |
|---|---|---|
| Conformity route | Australian standard; conformity commonly evidenced through a third-party certification licence such as StandardsMark | European harmonised standard under PPE Regulation (EU) 2016/425 |
| Toe protection | 200 J impact, 15 kN compression | 200 J impact, 15 kN compression |
| Penetration resistance | Tested insert (steel or non-metal), 1100 N | Tested insert (steel or non-metal), 1100 N |
| Classification designations | SB to S5 scheme; read the exact designation from the licence schedule | SB to S5 scheme; read the exact marking from the EU type-examination certificate |
| Related no-toe-cap standard | AS 2210.5:2019 (occupational footwear) | EN ISO 20347 (occupational footwear) |
| Evidence document | Certificate of conformity plus licence schedule listing covered models | EU type-examination certificate plus EU declaration of conformity |
| Surveillance | Ongoing scheme audits; licence updated on schedule | Certificate validity typically five years, subject to notified body surveillance |
| Mark on the product | Certification mark plus licence number; boot label carries standard, class and size | CE marking plus notified body number; boot label carries standard, class and size |
Read the table as a mapping exercise, not a promise of automatic equivalence. Two standards can share a test method and still differ in scope, clause numbering or national deviations. The only safe confirmation is that your specific model number appears on the licence or certificate schedule.
Reading the classification markings on the schedule
The classification letter tells you which combination of protective features the certified model actually carries. Buying “S3 boots” and receiving S1 boots is a common and expensive failure mode, because the two look identical on a shelf.
| Class | Toe cap (200 J) | Closed seat region | Antistatic | Energy absorb. heel | Water penetration / absorption | Penetration-resistant insert | Cleated outsole |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SB | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| S1 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| S2 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (upper) | No | No |
| S3 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (upper) | Yes | Yes |
| S4 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Polymer boot: whole boot | No | Yes |
| S5 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Polymer boot: whole boot | Yes | Yes |
S4 and S5 matter most for polymer boots — the all-PVC and all-rubber styles widely used in food processing, agriculture, chemical handling and wet industrial work, where the entire boot is the waterproof barrier rather than just the upper. When you source PVC rain boots for wet and chemical environments, S4 and S5 are the classes to ask about specifically.
Additional markings worth specifying
The class letter is the headline; the suffix markings decide whether the boot survives your actual hazards. Add the ones you need to the purchase specification, then ask the supplier to point to each one on the certificate.
| Marking | What it covers | When Australian buyers ask for it |
|---|---|---|
| P | Penetration resistance of the sole assembly (1100 N) | Demolition, scrap handling, mining, any site with nail or rebar risk |
| SR | Slip resistance on the tested surface | Food plants, commercial kitchens, wet yards, oil and grease exposure |
| FO | Resistance to fuel oil of the outsole | Workshops, fuel depots, mining and transport maintenance |
| CI / HI | Cold insulation / heat insulation of the sole complex | Cold storage and freezer work; foundries and hot surfaces |
| HRO | Heat resistance of the outsole in contact with hot surfaces | Asphalt work, welding, smelters, fire response |
| M | Metatarsal protection | Mining, heavy fabrication, foundries |
| AN | Ankle protection | Rough terrain, forestry, emergency services |
| ESD | Electrostatic dissipative properties | Electronics assembly, explosives handling, cleanrooms |
One caution: a marking is only real if it appears on the certificate for that model. Suppliers sometimes list every marking the standard offers in a catalogue. Ask for the schedule, not the brochure.
How to verify a StandardsMark licence in four steps
1. Get the licence number and the schedule. A credible supplier sends the certificate number and the schedule that lists covered models, without being chased. Our Australian certification is issued under StandardsMark licence SMK41505, valid 2024-06-28 to 2029-06-27.
2. Match the model number exactly. Check that the model you are buying appears on the schedule under the standard you need — AS 2210.3:2019 for toe-capped safety footwear, AS 2210.5:2019 for occupational footwear. A sibling model sharing the same outsole is not the same certified product.
3. Check the validity window and the product scope. Confirm today’s date sits inside the validity period, and that the scope covers the design you are ordering — colour and height variants are sometimes listed separately.
4. Cross-check against the scheme operator’s register. The certification body maintains a public licence record. Searching the licence number there confirms the certificate has not been suspended or withdrawn since it was issued — a check that takes minutes and catches a surprising number of stale PDFs.
Documentation pack to request before you place the order
| Document | What it proves | Red flag |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of conformity plus licence schedule | The model was assessed and licensed | Certificate shows a different model number or no schedule at all |
| Full test reports from the accredited laboratory | Actual measured results behind the marking | Only a one-page “pass” letter is offered |
| Manufacturer’s declaration of conformity | The maker accepts responsibility for the claim | Generic declaration with no model reference |
| Product marking artwork or label photo | The physical boot carries the required marking | No photo of the actual label, only a rendered image |
| Batch or lot traceability procedure | A failed pair can be traced back to production | Supplier cannot explain lot coding |
| Factory system certificate (ISO 9001) | Process consistency behind the product certificate | System certificate offered as a substitute for product certification |
A supplier who refuses the third item — a declaration naming your model — is telling you something. Product certification and factory system certification are different things: ISO 9001 says the factory follows a documented process; it does not certify that any particular boot passed an impact test.
Matching the boot to the Australian worksite
| Environment | Hazards that drive the choice | Standard and class to specify | Markings to add |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction and civil | Falling objects, nails, uneven ground, water | AS 2210.3 – S3 | P, SR |
| Mining and resources | Impact, crush, puncture, heat, fuel oil | AS 2210.3 – S3 or S5 | P, FO, HRO, M where assessed |
| Food and beverage processing | Wet floors, washdown, hygiene, chemicals | AS 2210.5 – polymer boot, S4/S5 class | SR, FO |
| Agriculture and farming | Water, slurry, manure acids, long wear hours | AS 2210.3 or AS 2210.5 depending on toe requirement | SR, FO |
| Cold storage and logistics | Sub-zero surfaces, forklift traffic, condensation | AS 2210.3 – S3 | CI, SR |
| Oil, gas and fuel handling | Hydrocarbons, static, hot surfaces | AS 2210.3 – S3 or S5 | FO, HRO, ESD where assessed |
Use the table as a starting brief, then validate it against your own risk assessment. Under the model WHS laws, personal protective equipment sits at the lower end of the hierarchy of controls — meaning the boot is the last line of defence, not the solution to an uncontrolled hazard.
Where we stand as a supplier
Litai Shoes manufactures industrial PVC safety rain boots and safety footwear for importers and distributors. Our Australian certification is held under StandardsMark licence SMK41505: AS 2210.3:2019 covers the listed designs of LT-102-21, LT-102 and LT-601, and AS 2210.5:2019 covers the listed designs of LT-102-21, LT-701, LT-601 and LT-102. Certification is issued per model, and we do not claim coverage for models that are not on the schedule.
If you are supplying the Australian market and need the certificate pack for a specific model, request the StandardsMark certificate pack and we will send the schedule with the covered models and validity dates. You can also browse the wider safety shoes and boots range to see which lines fit your programme.
Frequently asked questions
Does CE certification replace AS 2210.3 in Australia?
No. CE marking demonstrates conformity with the EU PPE Regulation (EU) 2016/425, not with the Australian standard. Australian buyers, insurers and WHS regulators generally expect evidence from an Australian-recognised third-party scheme such as StandardsMark, so CE certification alone is usually treated as incomplete rather than equivalent.
What is the difference between AS 2210.3 and AS 2210.5?
AS 2210.3:2019 applies to safety footwear fitted with a protective toe cap tested to 200 J impact and 15 kN compression. AS 2210.5:2019 applies to occupational footwear that has protective features but no 200 J toe cap. Food processing, cleaning and hospitality roles usually specify AS 2210.5; construction, mining and heavy industry specify AS 2210.3.
How do I check that a StandardsMark licence is genuine?
Ask for the licence number and the schedule of covered models, confirm your model number appears under the right standard, check the validity dates, then search the licence number in the certification body’s public licence register to confirm the certificate has not been withdrawn or suspended.
Is an ISO 9001 certificate enough to prove the boots are compliant?
No. ISO 9001 certifies that the factory operates a documented quality management system; it does not certify any individual product. Compliance requires a product certificate — such as a StandardsMark licence or an EU type-examination certificate — that names the specific model and lists the protections it was tested for.
Can one model be certified to both EN ISO 20345 and AS 2210.3?
Yes, but only if the model was tested and certified under both schemes and appears on both documents. Some designs are submitted to both; many are not. Always confirm the model number on each certificate rather than assuming that certification in one market carries over to another.
Further reading
- Australian Federal Register of Legislation – model WHS laws and regulations
- Safe Work Australia – WHS guidance, including the hierarchy of controls for PPE
- ISO 20345 – the international standard for safety footwear
- European Commission – PPE Regulation (EU) 2016/425 – EU conformity route for personal protective equipment
