ASTM F2413 Safety Footwear Requirements Guide

ASTM F2413is a safety and performance standard specifically designed for protective footwear, aiming to reduce potential workplace hazards for wearers. This guide summarizes the essential information that brands, manufacturers, and importers must understand about ASTM F2413, including its scope, legal status, testing requirements, and where to purchase the standard.

*Note:This guide is based solely on publicly available information. To access the full standard, you must purchase it through official sources.

What is ASTM F2413?

ASTM F2413 is a standard published by ASTM International that specifies performance requirements for protective toe footwear. Its main goal is to ensure that workers are effectively protected in hazardous work environments.

The standard is adopted by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and is referenced in the following federal regulations:

29 CFR §1910.136 – Foot Protection (General Industry)

29 CFR §1917.94 – Foot Protection (Maritime Terminals)

Although it is not a manufacturing guideline, ASTM F2413 is often used in buyer-supplier contracts as proof of compliance with performance standards.

What Products Does ASTM F2413 Cover?

The standard primarily applies to protective footwear equipped with safety toe caps. These shoes are designed to protect wearers from a wide range of physical and electrical workplace hazards.

Common product examples include:

1. Steel-toe sneakers

2. Construction work boots

3. Industrial safety shoes

The standard does notcover:

1. Overshoes with safety toe caps

2. Removable toe protection devices

Is ASTM F2413 Mandatory in the United States?

In general, ASTM standards are voluntary unless incorporated into law. Because OSHA references ASTM F2413 and ANSI Z41 in 29 CFR Parts 1910 and 1917:

Compliance with ASTM F2413 is effectively mandatory for safety footwear sold in the U.S.

If a product does not meet ANSI Z41, it must comply with ASTM F2413.

This makes the standard legally binding for both manufacturers and importers.

Scope and Requirements of ASTM F2413

The standard defines minimum performance criteria for protective toe footwear to safeguard wearers. Key safety and performance features required include:

1. Impact and compression resistanceat the toe cap

2. Metatarsal protection

3. Conductive propertiesto reduce static electricity hazards

4. Static dissipative (SD) performanceto manage electrostatic discharge

5. Puncture resistancein the sole

6. Chainsaw cut resistance(for specific use cases)

7. Electrical insulationin dielectric footwear for certain environments

Each type of footwear must meet the appropriate combination of these features based on its intended use to be considered compliant.

Laboratory Testing for ASTM F2413

Although OSHA does not explicitly require third-party test reports, in practice:

> Testing is often the only reliable way to verify compliance with ASTM F2413.

Testing supports regulatory compliance and is also crucial for product liability, insurance, online marketplace approvals, and retail acceptance.

ASTM F2413 Testing Costs and Service Providers

The cost of ASTM F2413 testing depends on several factors, including:

1. Type of footwear

2. Number of tests required

3. Product design complexity

Public pricing is rarely listed online, so direct quotes from labs are typically needed.

Recommended Testing Provider:

JJR Laboratory (China)offers full-service testing for footwear structure, performance, and safety, including certification testing according to ASTM F2413.

If you need additional laboratory recommendations, we can provide a list of qualified alternatives for comparison.