European Standards

EN 343

Protective clothing against the elements

This standard specifies the characteristics of protective clothing against the influence of bad weather, wind and cold above -5°C. The first number to the right of the pictogram indicates the water penetration resistance class, the second the Evaporative Resistance class.

• Resistance to water penetration (1 to 3)
• Y Evaporative Resistance (1 to 3).

EN 14058

Protective clothing against cold environments from -5ºC to 10ºC.

This standard specifies requirements and test methods for the performance of simple garments to protect the body against cold environments, excluding specific requirements for head protective garments, footwear or protective gloves to prevent or local cooling.

• Y Thermal resistance class.
• Y Air permeability class.
• Y ICLER in m² K/W of the garment with the Standard R set is mandatory for Rct class 4. If it is mandatory for class 4, it is optional for classes 1 to 3.
• WP Optional, if tested by the manufacturer.
• Nota Y and/or WP will be replaced by an X if the garment has not been tested.

EN 342

Protective clothing against temperatures below -5ºC.

The standard specifies the requirements and performance testing methods for cold protective clothing at temperatures below -5°C. Base thermal insulation measured. The value is a function of the maximum temperature of use according to certain levels of activity and exposure times. The letter indicates the type of underwear used to perform the test (A or B).

• Y Thermal insulation resulting from measured basis. Value depending on the maximum temperature of use for a given activity level and exposure time. The letter indicates the type of underwear used during the test (A or B).
• Y Air permeability (from 1 to 3). Indicator of clothing breathability.
• Y Category of resistance to water penetration (1 to 3) Indicates the level of impermeability of the equipment.

EN 13688

General protective clothing requirements

The EN ISO 13688:2017 standard specifies the general requirements for ergonomics, safety, durability, aging, size designation and marking of protective clothing, as well as the information to be provided by the manufacturer. Garments must be designed and manufactured to provide maximum comfort to the user. The standard determines that the components and materials used must not cause harm to the user or cause allergies, irritation or injuries. Sizes must correspond to body measurements.

• MARKING:

  • On the product itself or printed on a label attached to the product.
  • Positioned in such a way as to be visible and legible.
  • Name, trademark.
  • Product type designation.
  • Designação do tamanho.
  • Number of the respective standard.
  • Pictograms and, if necessary, performance levels.
  • The letter “i” in a pictogram indicates the obligation for the user to consult the manufacturer’s instructions for use.
  • Labeling of conservation instructions.
  • Instructions for use.

EN 20471

High visibility clothing

The EN 471 standard specifies the characteristics that protective clothing must have that aims to visually signal the user’s presence, to detect him and see him clearly in dangerous conditions, during the day, in all lighting conditions, or in night, by the light of the headlights. There are three classes of signaling clothing.a Each class must have minimum surfaces of visible materials that make up the clothing, and the higher the class, the more visible the clothing becomes.

All Personal Protective Equipment and some technical clothing is subject to current European regulations within the scope of the “essential requirements” imposed by the directives and specified by the standards. The CE marking guarantees the product free movement within the European Union. PPE placed on the market must be subject to a technical dossier. It must be accompanied by a declaration of conformity and instructions for use. Directive 89/686/EEC, adopted by all member countries of the European Union, is aimed mainly at manufacturers of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and sets the conditions for introduction into the market. Define as exigências essenciais em termos de concepção, fabrico e métodos de ensaios que os EPI colocados no mercado têm de respeitar para garantir a segurança dos utilizadores: desempenho, tamanhos, inocuidade dos materiais, destreza, ventilação, maleabilidade, ergonomia, marcação, manutenção e armazenamento. Equipment with a simple design for minor risks whose effects do not harm the user’s health or are easily reversible. Equipment in this category is subject to self-certification by the manufacturer. Category 1 equipment only provides comfort, it is therefore mandatory to use category 2 or 3 equipment if the work presents the slightest danger. Equipment for intermediate risks that is subject to compliance testing with European standards and a type certificate issued by an accredited laboratory. Equipment for serious, irreversible or fatal risks subject to the same tests as category 2 equipment but supplemented by mandatory production quality control: either via a quality assurance system (random sampling carried out by an accredited body) or via a quality assurance system with supervision (system controlled by an accredited body). EUROPEAN DESIGN DIRECTIVE The directive defines 3 categories of personal protective equipment according to the risk to the user: MINOR RISKS: Category 1 INTERMEDIATE RISKS: Category 2 SEVERE OR IRREVERSIBLE RISKS: Category 3