Updated safety footwear standard: Industry awaiting NRCS guidelines
Published: 2nd Dec 2025
Safety footwear suppliers in SA are awaiting a response this month (December 2025) from the National Regulator for Compulsory Standards (NRCS) on various aspects of the implementation of the updated safety footwear standard, SANS 20345: 2023, which comes into force in April 2026.
A major concern is the period that will be allowed for safety footwear made under the previous standard, SANS 20345: 2014, to work its way out of the market. SA safety footwear suppliers have officially had 2 years to change over.
By comparison, in the UK, the new standard – EN20345: 2022, which corresponds with SANS 20345: 2023 – was adopted in 2024 with a 7-year period of grace.
At an online meeting on 08 October, the NRCS indicated that it would consider extensions on the styles currently registered, but some suppliers have said they aren’t clear on what they need to do.
Tags: NRCS
Footwear Industry Articles
- APICCAPS: FAIST Report: ‘Our goal is to be the most modern footwear industry in the world’
Portugal shows there is much more to being a successful footwear exporting nation than just offering low prices. ‘Welcome to the industry of the future’. ...moreWorld class manufacturing was an eye-opener and a lessonThis is my last contribution to this series of events. I have thoroughly enjoyed stepping back into the days when travelling to find new designs was real travel.My final contribution is to say that with all that happened there were a lot of positives also achieved. I managed to visit some international manufacturing facilit ...moreMizuno: New distributor plans increase in marketing, and diversification of sports categoriesJohannesburg, Gauteng, SA – Digital Wellness has been appointed by Mizuno Europe as the new Mizuno Footwear distributor for Southern Africa.It was previously distributed by Performance Endurance Solutions.Brian Kerby will continue with the brand, filling the role of Mizuno Brand Manager. He and Digital Wellness MD Ricky West respond ...more
Leather Industry Articles
- Sam Setter's 'Pills': Brands remain holier than thouOn more than one occasion I have reported on brands being caught using illegal labour in their supply line. From what I understand several brands regularly, but indirectly, use illegal labour and of course always deny their knowledge of this happening. The problem is that everybody knows and nobody can prove this because the brands buy fr ...moreA land of opportunities, a land of contrasts, but it needs global brands to invest
Reg Hankey, executive chairman of Pittards Group Ltd., is well qualified to write about the leather industry in Ethiopia. As an investor, he knows the opportunities and the pitfalls. He is also passionate about the country and its people. ...moreEUDR Update: What Africa’s Leather Sector Needs to Know NowThe European Commission’s latest proposal to simplify the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) timeline has sparked debate, and arguably a little relief, across global supply chains. However, while there are signs of continued flexibility, the message from the European Commission in Brussels remains firm: the regulation is ...more
PPE Industry Articles
- Fidelity acquires SSG Holdings to grow to nearly 70 000 staff over more than 250 locationsJohannesburg, Gauteng, SA (17 September 2025) – Fidelity Services Group has acquired a majority shareholding in SSG Holdings, following all requisite regulatory approvals. The acquisition will expand Fidelity’s footprint to more than 256 locations and grow its workforce to approximately 69 200 employees across Southern Africa. ...moreNot an afterthought – integrating healthcare technology at the very beginning
Today’s modern healthcare facilities have, respectfully, moved beyond bricks, mortar and medical equipment to now include infrastructure that embeds intelligence and resilience, providing the foundation for safer, smarter and patient-centric healthcare environment.In fact, the medical industry is making truly remarkable gains when i ...moreCompetition Tribunal dismisses market division complaint in fire protection industryPretoria, Gauteng, SA – The Competition Tribunal has dismissed a complaint of alleged market division brought by the Competition Commission against the Automatic Sprinkler Inspection Bureau (Pty) Ltd (ASIB) and six other firms in the fire protection industry, namely:National Security & Fire (Pty) Ltd; Fireco (Pty) Ltd; IBR Fire ...more
© S&V Publications
