Buyer beware: You cannot take claimed standards at face value
Published: 30th Jan 2017
Port Elizabeth podiatrists Stuart Alexander and Maxine Wilson have alerted the Podiatry Association of SA’s Footwear Committee to an example of safety footwear which can cause foot pathologies and that companies are still buying as PPE.
I honestly doubt that this boot would have passed testing for ISO SANS 20345 for the reasons given below.
I obscured the brand – however, my intention is that I don’t really want to go after one brand because there are many – this is a syndrome in which buyers seem to be unable to judge the quality/foot damage potential of footwear and my intention is an educational one.
I have put together the following information which I would be grateful that you publish in the interests of educating the buyers out there as to what characteristics NOT to buy…– [+27 (0)31 201 9907, anette.thompson@telmo.co.za]

ASSESSMENT OF SAFETY FOOTWEAR IMPLICATED IN FOOT PATHOLOGY IN PORT ELIZABETH

A = EVA padding (above ankle and wrap around the upper foot) is closed cell foam which is good insulation but no breathability.
B = 1mm EVA lining laminated to the leather which adds insulation but no breathability.
C = Lining showing premature wear so it will not pass wet and dry abrasion test.
D = Topsock is a 1.5mm EVA with fibre cover, no cushioning and again no breathability.
E = Heel filler made of a solid high density plug instead of lower density plug which would cushion the heel bone.
F = 1mm Stroebel sock has minimal moisture absorption.
G = Midsole density under the ball of the foot is thinner (?) than further ahead under the toes (H); this should be the other way around to give more cushioning under the metatarsal joints.
I = Label bears a CE and EN20345 code but where is the authenticity of the lab report to substantiate this? (given that there are so many irregularities in this shoe).
J = Tongue foam is open cell which is good for breathability but …
K = The tongue material is PU which is non breathable.
L = Split leather is 1.2mm - which is not to spec – specification is 2 to 2.2mm.
M = 1mm EVA lining is already de-laminating at this early stage of use.
N = 604 steel toecap is acceptable, although on the narrow side.
CONCLUSION: This is sub-spec and has thermal properties suitable for a cold climate.

Related Articles
- CLE India Leather & Footwear trade expo: Airfares on offerCape Town (SA) – The Council for Leather Exports (CLE) India will again host its annual trade expo on March 8 and 9 in Cape Town, and it is offering a complimentary economy class return airfare to out-of-town buyers, subject to approval. A limited number of buyers can be considered under the programme, so if you are interested, cont ...moreEnd of an era: New organiser for GDSAfter several years of efforts to reformat GDS, Messe Düsseldorf will transfer running of the fair to the Igedo Company after the February edition. Igedo, also Düsseldorf-based, specialises in fashion clothing fairs. ...more
Footwear Industry Articles
- What if South Africa loses AGOA? A hypothetical scenario for the footwear export industryThe interconnected nature of trade, politics, and diplomacy reminds us that no industry operates in isolation. The possibility of South Africa losing its AGOA (African Growth and Opportunity Act) benefits is purely hypothetical, but exploring such scenarios helps us plan for resilience and adaptability. This article is a thought exercise ...moreGrasshoppers Trooper, first school shoe in South Africa to acquire the prestigious Banzi Feet Gold CertificationThe journey of BanziFeet began in 2015 with research to compare the foot measurements of German and South African children and adolescents. Research revealed significant differences in foot shape and size between the 2 groups. It also found that 91% of South African participants grew up habitually barefoot, and 67% of their school shoes w ...more2025 FORECASTSBy common consent, 2024 has been a difficult year for almost all businesses, organisations, government departments and people in the SA leather value chain. The main exceptions would have been successful exporters, because the domestic market has been getting poorer year after year. The underlying reasons are mostly to do with the policie ...more
Leather Industry Articles
- Groenewald returns to OPSAOudtshoorn, W. Cape, SA – Newald Groenewald rejoined Ostrich Products SA (OPSA) in September as tannery manager.He started at the then Klein Karoo International in 1991 before joining OPSA as tannery manager in 2015. He joined Le Croc as tannery manager in 2021, and left there earlier this year. ...moreLULUC: Explaining the link between deforestation and the leather industryLand use and land use change (LULUC) refers to the study area in general – that is the study of how global land use change (commonly through human intervention) results in increased atmospheric emissions. The obvious emission is that if the forest is burnt, the emissions are directly released into the atmosphere. However, the change ...moreThe power of partnership…This month we are delighted to announce the beginning of a new programme, being funded by the Leather & Hide Council of America as part of the US Regional Agricultural Programme. ...more
PPE Industry Articles
- AI solution shows truck drivers where to parkBerlin, Germany (02 September 2024) – Parking spaces are in short supply at rest stops along Germany’s highways. Truck drivers are required by law to observe certain rest periods, so when they cannot find parking, they often simply park off to the side of an entrance or exit or on the shoulder, all of which are very ...moreArtificial intelligence for Clinical Pathology: Data-efficient foundation model for biomarker detectionBremen, Germany (02 September 2024) – The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems shows promise in medicine, where they can be used to detect diseases earlier, improve treatments, and ease staff workloads. But their performance depends on how well the AI is trained. A new multi-task approach to training AI makes it possible to t ...moreThe importance of supporting local manufacturing to preserve South Africa’s footwear industryPinetown, KZN, SA – At Neptun Safety Footwear, our commitment to local manufacturing goes beyond producing quality footwear—it’s about building a sustainable, self-reliant economy in South Africa. We are passionate about growing local industries, not just for the jobs they create today but for the future they secure for ...more
© S&V Publications