You're on your feet all day and want more comfort in your work shoes. An insole seems like the logical solution. But did you know that doing so might invalidate the certification of your work shoes? And what that means in the event of a workplace accident? In this article, we explain how it works, what the law says, and how you can remain certified.
Why does certification become invalid with a regular insole?
Work shoes and safety shoes fall under Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and must comply with strict standards and certifications, as laid down in European Regulation EU/2016/425. This states that safety footwear and any insoles must meet European health and safety requirements.
In practice, this means: work shoes and safety shoes are only certified if the combination of the shoe AND the insole has been approved. If you place a regular, non-certified insole in your work shoe, the shoes deviate from the tested standard and the CE standard becomes invalid. The shoes then no longer comply with the European quality mark and are considered regular shoes.
What are the consequences in the event of a workplace accident?
The consequences can be significant. The manufacturer remains liable for the shoes, but not for the new combination. This liability transfers to the person who installs the new insoles. There are already insurers and occupational health services that no longer pay out in the event of an accident where work shoes without CE certification are worn.
For employers, this is especially relevant: they are legally obliged to provide certified personal protective equipment. If an employee uses a non-certified insole, thereby invalidating the standard, the employer can be held liable in the event of an incident.
What risks arise with a non-certified insole?
The two main risks that arise are insufficient toe space and the loss of antistatic properties. The latter is particularly dangerous in environments where static electricity poses a risk, such as in industry, laboratories, or hospitals.
An approved insole guarantees the retention of properties such as toe space, antistatic conductivity, moisture management, wear resistance, and energy absorption.
How to remain certified?
The solution is an insole that has been specifically tested and approved in combination with your work shoe. That is precisely what the 4Allbrands insoles were developed for.
Insoles intended for use in safety footwear must comply with European Regulation EU/2016/425 and are subject to EU type-approval by a notified body. The 4Allbrands insoles are MDR-certified as Medical Devices and approved according to the PPE regulation, thereby maintaining the certification of your work shoe.
Via the 4Allbrands Library, you can check per shoe model whether the insole has been tested and approved for your specific work shoe.
What does this mean for employers?
As an employer, you are responsible for the safety of your employees at the workplace. This also means that you must ensure certified footwear, including the insole. The 4Allbrands insoles offer a practical solution: semi-orthopaedic support for employees with foot complaints, such as flat feet, heel spurs, or high arches, without losing the certification of the work footwear.
Available in three arch variants (Low, Medium, and High), an Ultra Soft variant, and available in sizes 36 to 48. View the full range on our insoles page.