 EN ISO 20345 is the general safety footwear standard, covering basic requirements such as toe protection, slip resistance and other workplace hazards.

 EN ISO 17249 adds specific requirements for resistance to chainsaw cutting.

 In practice, chainsaw protective footwear is normally safety footwear that meets EN ISO 20345 requirements plus additional chainsaw protection under EN ISO 17249.

 This distinction is important because ordinary safety boots are not designed to protect against moving chainsaw chains.

 EN ISO 17249 classifies chainsaw protective footwear by the chain speed used during testing.

 **Class 1** is tested at **20 m/s**, **Class 2** at **24 m/s**, and **Class 3** at **28 m/s**.

 A higher class means the footwear is tested against a faster chain speed, but it may also increase weight and reduce flexibility.

 The correct class should be selected according to the chainsaw used, working conditions and local safety requirements.

 No. EN ISO 17249 certification confirms that footwear has been tested for resistance to chainsaw cutting under defined laboratory conditions, but it cannot eliminate all injury risks.

 Chainsaw protective boots should be used together with proper training, safe working procedures and other forestry PPE such as chainsaw trousers, gloves, helmets and face protection.  Certified footwear is an important last line of defense, not a replacement for safe operation.

 Buyers should check whether the product label, technical datasheet and certificate all show the correct standard, protection class and product model.

 A genuine EN ISO 17249 product should clearly identify the applicable standard and chainsaw protection class.

 Buyers should also request the EU Type Examination Certificate, Declaration of Conformity and supporting test documentation when required.

 The model information on all documents should match the actual footwear.