EN 343:2019- Protective clothing
- Outfits and garments for protection against rain
This standard specifies the requirements that deal with the garment's ability to protect the wearer from rain and water. It defines the requirements for protection against moisture in terms of the garment's breathability and waterproofness. The garment is tested by exposing the garment, material and seams to water pressure in controlled conditions. In addition to the material being tested for waterproofness and breathability, together with the seams, it is also tested for tear and abrasion resistance etc.
Taped seams must be waterproof and the textile must be tested for water penetration.
Waterproof (resistance to water penetration) is tested from the outside, and is listed in either Pascal (Pa) or mm water column (mm H2O). On garments, the value for waterproofness is listed with numbers from 1-4 (classes, where 4 is the best), according to which values the garment achieves during testing. (Example of structure given below).
Breathability (Water vapour resistance) is tested from the inside of the garment, and is also listed on garments with an assigned class according to the values it has achieved. Here there are also classes 1-4.
In addition to these two values, there is an optional test/value that can be obtained for EN 343. It is Waterproofness for finished garments, and is called Rain Tower.
Rain Tower is an optional part of the standard, and if the finished garment has not been tested according to this part, it will be marked with a cross next to the pictogram. Example of pictogram On garment labelling, column Y is replaced with the class the garment/fabric achieves:
