Personal protective equipment (PPE), used to prevent workplace accidents, is of vital importance—especially for workers in industrial sectors. Among this equipment, safety footwear is responsible for protecting the toes from impacts caused by crushing, collisions, or falling objects. However, in order to provide this protection, the product must pass the impact resistance test in accordance with the TS EN ISO 20345 standard.

As part of its market surveillance inspections, the Ministry of Labor and Social Security periodically examines whether safety shoes of various brands on the market meet criteria such as impact resistance. Following these inspections, if the Ministry identifies products that may pose a risk to users, it applies the following sanctions in accordance with Law No. 7223 on Product Safety and Technical Regulations.

For example: if a product is found to have failed the impact resistance test for safety footwear, the Ministry may issue a ban on placing the product on the market, order its recall, and publish a public announcement via the Unsafe Product Information System (GÜBİS).

What Is the Impact Resistance Test?

The impact resistance test is a safety procedure where a metal object of a specified weight is dropped from a certain height onto the toe area of the safety shoe. The aim is to measure whether the shoe deforms upon impact and if it can effectively protect the user.

According to the TS EN ISO 20345 standard:

  • Test weight: 20 ±0.2 kg

  • Drop height: 1.02 meters

  • Energy: 200 Joules

  • Successful result: Toe clearance must not fall below the specified limit

This test clearly demonstrates whether the footwear has the durability required to protect feet from falling heavy objects.

Why Does the Testing Device Play a Critical Role?

Measuring a product’s safety does not end with performing the test alone. The accuracy, calibration history, and compliance of the device used directly affect the reliability of the test.

  • Measurements taken with faulty or substandard testing devices can mislead both manufacturers and users.

  • A product that passes a test performed with non-compliant equipment may not actually be safe in real-world conditions.

  • The CE mark or brand recognition alone is not enough. Compliance must be verified through documented test reports from standard-compliant tests.

What Are the Legal Obligations?

Law No. 7223 and the Regulation on Personal Protective Equipment clearly outline the obligations of employers and manufacturers regarding the supply of safe products.

Key regulations include:

  • Products must undergo conformity assessment before being placed on the market.

  • Testing must be conducted using standard-compliant devices and methodologies.

  • Unsafe products must be recalled from the market upon detection.

In case of non-compliance:

  • Administrative fines

  • Suspension of product sales

  • Public announcements

  • Mandatory recall and disposal

Who Is Responsible, and How?

This test binds not only the manufacturer but also every actor in the supply chain:

  • Manufacturer: Cannot place the product on the market without passing the relevant tests.

  • Importer: Must verify conformity documents of imported products.

  • Seller: Cannot provide misleading information when selling the product.

  • Employer: Obliged to procure safe PPE.

  • User: Has the right to inquire about protection class and test documentation.

Conclusion: Trust in Test Reports, Not Appearances

This situation sheds light on two often overlooked aspects of occupational safety in Türkiye: the quality of test equipment and the reliability of test data. Products merely marketed as “steel-toed” can only be trusted if they have passed tests conducted with properly calibrated devices in accordance with TS EN ISO 20345.

  • When purchasing, prioritize protection class and test results over price

  • Always check for CE and EN ISO certifications

  • Impact resistance testing is not just a formality—it is a life-saving safety measure