EN 343

Protective clothing – Protection against rain

Standard that describes the requirements for protective clothing against rain, wind and snow.

DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

Taped seams must be waterproof and the textile must be tested for water penetration. There are no other requirements for the design of the garment.

EN 343 – RAIN GEAR

WP (WATER PENETRATION)

Mandatory testing class 1

Textile before pre-treatment:  Wp ≥ 8,000 Pa
Textile after each pre-treatment: Testing not required
Seams before pre-treatment : Wp ≥ 8,000 Pa

Mandatory testing class 2

Textile before pre-treatment:  Testing not required
Textile after each pre-treatment: Wp ≥ 8,000 Pa
Seams before pre-treatment : Wp ≥ 8,000 Pa

Mandatory testing class 3

Textile before pre-treatment:  Testing not required
Textile after each pre-treatment: Wp ≥ 13,000 Pa
Seams before pre-treatment : Wp ≥ 13,000 Pa

EN 343 – RAIN GEAR
RECOMMENDED MAXIMUM CONTINUOUS USE (BREATHABILITY)
AMBIENT TEMPERATURE AT THE SITE

CLASS 1 Ret > 40 min.

25: 60
20: 75
15: 100
10: 240
5: -

CLASS 2 20 < Ret ≤ 40 min.

25: 105
20: 250
15: -
10: -
5: -

CLASS 3 Ret ≤ 20 min.

25: 205
20: -
15: -
10: -
5: -

Textile requirements

Requirements for mechanical properties: Water permeability (Wp), EN 20811 and water vapour resistance (Ret), EN 31092 are listed in the tables on this page. Both Wp and Ret have been tested following repeated flexing and exposure to isooctane and straight-chain paraffins, according to ISO 1817.