We have invested heavily in our own laboratory which will offer us a far greater opportunity to test during product development and beyond. This compliments the certification and due diligence testing regime which is already well established.
Safety Footwear Quality and Product Assurance
Our mission is to influence industry standards and to develop, source and supply the highest quality products
UKAS Accredited Laboratory
The United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) is the sole body recognised by Government for the assessment and verification of testing laboratories against international standards. Accreditation by UKAS demonstrates Arco's competence, impartiality, and capability, and helps to underpin the credibility of testing services
The Five-Step Product Assurance Process
Our five-step product assurance process provide absolute confidence in our product range. Customers can be assured that Arco products will undergo a thorough sampling, approval, and testing regime throughout its life. Our manufacturers undergo quality and ethical audits, and we only work with vendors who share our standards.
Step One - Supplier Evaluation Process
Our supply chain for Arco products is assessed and monitored by an independent notified body, to ensure compliance is maintained to ethical and quality standards.
Manufacturer Quality Audits
Own brand manufacturing facilities are audited independently against compliance to the ETI's Nine Principles Base Code. Plans are agreed with regular follow up to review progress and complete actions.
Proprietary Brand Vendors
Own brand manufacturing facilities are audited independently against compliance to the ETI's Nine Principles Base Code. Plans are agreed with regular follow up to review progress and complete actions.
Step Two - Product Development Process
So that we can monitor the development of new or re-sourced own brand products, we have in place a three-tier sampling procedure throughout the development process which includes inspection of:
- Approval samples
- Pre-production samples
- Production samples
Arco is a global business. At our Asia office in Xiamen, China we have an in-house team who work with colleagues from the UK to carry out inspections against detailed product specifications and Acceptable Quality Limits (AQL) requirements. Similar inspections are also completed at other international and UK sources of supply. Products will also be tested in our in-house laboratory.
Step Three - Production Verification Process
Pre-shipment inspections are carried out prior to products being despatched from the manufacturer, either by the vendor's own quality team or by our own representatives. All Arco goods received at our National Distribution Centre and our Clothing Centre undergo Goods Receipt Conformity Testing and are inspected and tested to verify there has been no deterioration of product quality during shipment and to ensure conformity to specification.
Step Four - Performance Testing Process
All products meet the relevant European Standards and to ensure the documentation is in place and recorded, we undertake an intensive regime of Due Diligence Conformity Testing throughout the year. Arco products are tested in our SATRA Accredited Product Assurance laboratory or by an independent ISO 17025 approved laboratory. If a product does not meet the required standards, then we ensure that the batch is quarantined and products do not reach customers.
Step Five - Market Performance Evaluation Process
Whilst our customer research tells us that our customers are confident in the quality of our products, we do from time to time have customer returns. We have a comprehensive procedure to ensure the analysis of faulty returns from our customers which enables us to work with vendors to continuously improve our product range.
Testing Safety Footwear
The Arco Product Assurance laboratory contains a complete set of test equipment to allow tests to be carried out to the requirements of EN 20345. This specifies basic requirements for safety footwear used for general purpose. Additional optional elements may also be tested such as particular hazards on specific flooring. The standard includes tests against mechanical risks, slip resistance, thermal risks and ergonomic behaviour. Testing is carried out in accordance with ISO 20344 the standard specifying methods for testing footwear designed as PPE.
Impact Resistance
The Impact Tester is used to test a piece of footwear's capacity to protect the foot against falling objects or 'drop hazards'. Safety Footwear is tested to several different levels of protection. The ability of the protective toecap to protect the toe area is measured, the weight, velocity and the resulting energy of a falling weight is determined and the resulting compression on plasticine inside the toe area is measured.
EN ISO 20344 5.4 Determination of impact resistance
EN ISO 20344 5.16 Determination of impact resistance of a metatarsal protective device
Slip Resistance
The slip resistance tester simulates conditions encountered during walking when slip is most likely to occur and measures the slip resistance between the sole of the footwear and the floor.
EN ISO 20344 5.11 Determination of footwear slip resistance
Tensile Tester / Compression Resistance / Penetration Resistance of the Sole
A Tensile Tester is used to test a number of different elements of the standard including the compression resistance of the toe cap and the penetration resistance of the sole. In the case of compression resistance, the tensile tester is used to exert of a force of 15kN onto the toe cap and the resulting compression of the plasticine inside in the toe area is measured.
EN ISO 20344 5.2 Determination of upper/outsole and sole interlayer bond strength
EN ISO 20344 5.5 Determination of compression resistance
EN ISO 20344 5.8 Determination of of the dimensional conformity of inserts and the penetration resistance of the sole
EN ISO 20344 6.3 Determination tear strength of the upper, lining and/or tongue
EN ISO 20344 6.4 Determination of the tensile properties of the upper material
EN ISO 20344 8.2 Determination of tear strength of outsole
Electrical Resistance
The electrical resistance tester measures the electrical resistance of antistatic or conductive footwear. A piece of conditioned footwear is placed on a metal surface and filled with metal spheres and an electrode placed in amongst them. A voltage is applied to the footwear through the metal surface and the resistance measured.
EN ISO 20344 5.10 Determination of electrical resistance
Water Resistance
The dynamic water penetration tester measures the resistance of footwear to water ingress. The tester flexes two independent pieces of footwear after lowering them in water contained in separate tanks, it simulates the trough test where the wearer walks in water. A count of how many times the piece of footwear will be flexed is programmed into the equipment.
EN ISO 20344 5.15 Determination of resistance to water for whole footwear
More from Arco
Managing Risks
From protective toe-caps to penetration resistant midsoles, prevent workplace injuries and find out what to look for in safety footwear once you’ve identified the potential hazards in a formal risk assessment.
Safety Standards
We explain the safety footwear standards specified by BS EN ISO 20345 and identify the requirements for safety footwear. This helps to ensure your employees have the best protection and make sure you are compliant.
Recommended Products
Browse our innovative range of safety footwear today. Offering a wide selection of trusted brands, innovative materials and in-house designs, you’ll find the best safety boots and shoes for your working environment here at Arco.
