Here’s a detailed introduction to EN 343, including what it covers, what types of products it’s for, and how it’s tested:
🔹 Introduction to EN 343
- Full Title: EN 343 – Protective clothing – Protection against rain
- Purpose: This European standard specifies the requirements for clothing that protects against precipitation (rain, snow), fog, and ground humidity.
- It covers both water penetration resistance and breathability (water vapor resistance) to ensure comfort and safety during wet working conditions.
🔹 Suitable For
EN 343 applies to protective clothing used in outdoor environments where users are exposed to wet weather. Common examples include:
- Raincoats and rain suits
- Waterproof workwear
- High-visibility waterproof jackets/pants
- Outdoor PPE for construction, transport, agriculture, forestry, and utility workers
🔹 Main Requirements of EN 343
EN 343 defines protection in two performance categories, plus an optional test:
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Water Penetration Resistance (X) | Resistance to water entry (i.e., how waterproof the garment is) |
| 2. Water Vapor Resistance (Y) | Breathability (how well sweat vapor can escape from inside the garment) |
| 3. Optional: Rain Tower Test (R) | Simulates real rainfall conditions to test water penetration in seams/zips |
Each performance level is marked with numbers from 1 to 4, where:
- Level 4 = Highest protection
- Level 1 = Minimum protection
So the label might look like this:
EN 343:2019 4:4
(4 for waterproofness, 4 for breathability)
🔹 Example Marking Explanation
If a garment is marked:
EN 343:2019 3:1 X
It means:
- Waterproof level: 3 (Good)
- Breathability level: 1 (Low)
- X: Optional rain tower test not performed
🔹 Testing Methods
| Property | Test Method | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Water Penetration Resistance | EN ISO 811 | Water pressure is applied; fabric must resist penetration (hydrostatic head test) |
| Water Vapor Resistance | EN ISO 11092 | Measures how easily vapor passes through the fabric (Ret value) |
| Seam Penetration (optional) | EN 14360 (Rain Tower Test) | Full garment exposed to simulated rain to check for leaks |
| Tensile Strength, Tear, Shrinkage, etc. | ISO 13934-1, ISO 13937-2, ISO 5077 | For overall garment durability and maintenance behavior |
Important: Testing must be done on the entire garment including seams, closures, and coated areas, not just the base fabric.
