ASTM vs ANSI: What’s the Difference?
People still ask about ANSI ratings when looking at work boots. The reason is simple. ANSI was the standard for many years, and the name stuck. Today, ASTM is the standard that applies to safety footwear in North America. Here is a clear breakdown.
Q: What was ANSI in relation to work boots?
ANSI stands for the American National Standards Institute. In the past, safety footwear in the United States followed the ANSI Z41 standard. Boots were tested for toe impact, compression, and other basic protective features under that system.
Many older boots, warehouse policies, and training materials still mention ANSI because the standard was widely used before the mid-2000s.
Q: What is ASTM, and how is it different?
ASTM, the American Society for Testing and Materials, publishes the current safety footwear standard used in the United States. The relevant specification today is ASTM F2413.
ASTM F2413 expanded testing categories and made requirements more detailed. It defines ratings such as:
- Impact and compression protection
- Puncture resistance (PR)
- Electrical hazard protection (EH)
- Static dissipative and conductive properties
This system allows employers and workers to understand exactly what hazards a boot is rated to handle.
Q: When did ASTM replace ANSI?
ASTM replaced ANSI Z41 in 2005. From that point forward, new certified safety footwear in the U.S. has followed ASTM standards. ANSI no longer publishes its own safety footwear specification.
However, ANSI still plays a role in standards development by accrediting organizations like ASTM. That is why the name continues to appear in discussions.
Q: Why do people still search for ANSI boots?
Two main reasons:
- Older jobsite policies sometimes still reference ANSI wording.
- Workers who bought boots years ago remember the ANSI label and continue using that term when searching.
In practice, modern boots that meet ASTM F2413 satisfy the same protective intent and follow updated testing methods.
Q: How does this affect Canadian workers?
In Canada, CSA Z195 is the required safety footwear standard. Many boots sold in North America carry both CSA and ASTM certification. Dual certification allows workers to move between Canadian and U.S. regulated jobsites without changing footwear.
Q: Which certification should you look for today?
For U.S. workplaces, look for ASTM F2413.
For Canadian workplaces, look for CSA Z195.
If a boot carries both, it meets requirements across most regulated jobsites in North America.
For a complete breakdown of ASTM F2413 ratings, test methods, and certification markings, read The Full Compliance Guide to ASTM F2413 Boots.
