Standards

High-visibility clothing designed to ensure the wearer's visibility in daylight and low-light conditions, as well as in darkness when illuminated by an external light source, such as vehicle headlights.

The standard specifies requirements for the placement of fluorescent materials and reflective strips. The reflective strips must encircle the torso and sleeves on upper-body garments and the legs on lower-body garments. The fluorescent background material must be evenly distributed between the front and back of the garment (50% ± 10%).

The permitted colours for fluorescent background material are yellow, orange and red.

High-visibility clothing is divided into three protection classes: 1, 2 and 3. These classes are determined by the amount of fluorescent and retroreflective material used in the garment, with Class 3 providing the highest level of visibility.

The table below shows the minimum material surface areas required for each class.

Dimex high-visibility clothing is designed and certified so that combining Class 1 and Class 2 garments meets the requirements of visibility Class 3. However, always check the care label for possible garment combinations in smaller sizes XS and S.

The number next to the pictogram indicates the garment's protection class.

The garments are designed with maximum logo sizes in mind, allowing logos to be printed without reducing the required surface area of fluorescent material. A back print may be up to 30 × 8 cm, with the printed design covering no more than two-thirds of the total print area.

Small prints on upper- and lower-body garments may be up to 12 × 3 cm, with the printed design covering no more than half of the total print area.

Keep the garment clean and maintain it regularly, as dirt can reduce its visibility. You can check the effectiveness of the reflective materials in the dark using a flashlight, for example.

Choose a garment with the appropriate protection class based on a risk assessment and the intended use.

Protective clothing with electrostatic dissipative properties that complies with this standard can be used in work environments where flammable liquids are handled and where static electricity may pose a fire or explosion hazard.

The wearer must be properly grounded. This can be ensured, for example, by using suitable footwear and flooring in addition to the protective clothing to allow static electricity to dissipate safely. The entire workwear ensemble must be properly grounded.

Protective clothing must not be worn open or removed in flammable or explosive atmospheres or when handling flammable or explosive substances. Protective clothing must not be used in oxygen-enriched atmospheres without prior approval from the person responsible for safety.

The clothing must completely cover all non-conductive materials during normal use, including when moving or bending.

The required protective equipment must be determined based on a risk assessment.

Heat and flame-resistant protective clothing protects workers against brief contact with flames, radiant heat and molten metal splashes.

Heat and flame-resistant protective clothing consists of a jacket and trousers or a one-piece coverall. The jacket and trousers must be worn together to achieve the specified level of protection. Additional protective equipment, such as helmets, gloves, hoods or footwear protectors, may also be used. All parts of the body, including the head, neck, hands and feet, must be covered with approved protective equipment to ensure full protection. Flame-resistant materials do not continue to burn after the source of heat, such as a flame, has been removed.

The standard specifies requirements for:

• Garment design, materials and construction, including seams
• Accessories, such as labels and logos
• Heat and flame-resistant protective clothing must meet at least the requirements of performance level A1 and one heat transfer performance level (B, C, D, E or F).

Performance Levels

A – Limited Flame Spread (Material Ignition)
Marking A1 or A1+A2 is mandatory.

A1 = Surface ignition: the material's flammability is tested by applying a flame to its surface.

A2 = Edge ignition: the material's flammability is tested by applying a flame to its edge.

B – Protection Against Convective Heat (Flame Exposure)
Performance levels B1, B2 and B3 (highest level).

C – Protection Against Radiant Heat
Performance levels C1, C2, C3 and C4 (highest level).

D – Protection Against Molten Aluminium Splashes
Performance levels D1, D2 and D3 (highest level).

E – Protection Against Molten Iron Splashes
Performance levels E1, E2 and E3 (highest level).

F – Protection Against Contact Heat
Performance levels F1, F2 and F3 (highest level).

Protective clothing is designed for welding and allied processes. It protects the wearer against welding sparks (small splashes of molten metal), brief contact with flames and radiant heat from the welding arc.

When wearing protective clothing, ensure that the complete outfit fully covers the torso, neck, arms and legs. Both parts of a two-piece outfit must be worn together to achieve the specified level of protection. Protective clothing must be selected according to the welding process used.

The standard divides protective clothing for welding into two protection classes:

Class 1 is suitable for manual welding techniques that produce low levels of welding sparks and spatter, such as TIG, MIG and MMA welding (rutile electrodes), gas welding, microplasma welding, spot welding and brazing.

Class 2 (highest protection level) is suitable for manual welding techniques that produce high levels of welding sparks and spatter, such as MMA welding (basic or cellulose electrodes), MAG welding (CO₂ or mixed gases), MIG welding (high-current welding), self-shielded flux-cored arc welding, plasma cutting, gouging, oxy-fuel cutting and thermal spraying. Class 2 is also recommended for welding in confined spaces or difficult working positions.

In addition, the material is tested for limited flame spread, indicated by the marking A1 or A1+A2.

A1 = The material's flammability is tested by applying a flame to its surface.

A2 = The material's flammability is tested by applying a flame to its edge.

When welding, it is also important to protect the head, face, hands and feet. Additional protective equipment, such as a hood or neck protector, can be used to improve protection.

Welding protective clothing must be cleaned regularly to maintain its protective properties.

Chemical protective clothing provides limited protection against chemical splashes. It is intended for situations where chemical exposure is occasional and minimal, such as small splashes or brief exposure to liquid sprays. The protective clothing is designed to allow the wearer to remove it quickly before the liquid penetrates the material.

Test Methods

Type 6 protective clothing is tested using a full-suit test. Type 6 refers to full-body protection, where garments are tested and certified together as a complete outfit to provide protection against chemical splashes. The outfit can be either a one-piece coverall or a two-piece suit.

Type PB [6] refers to partial-body protective clothing, such as a jacket or trousers, which are tested separately.

The chemical resistance of the material is tested using the chemicals listed below. To comply with EN 13034, the material must achieve at least Class 3 for liquid repellency and at least Class 2 for resistance to liquid penetration for at least one of the test chemicals. The durability of the material is also tested.

• Sulphuric acid (H₂SO₄), 30%
• Sodium hydroxide (NaOH), 10%
• Xylene (o-xylene)
• Butanol (butan-1-ol)

Protective clothing against cold protects the wearer from the harmful effects of cold environments. Cold conditions are defined as a combination of temperatures below -5°C, moisture and wind.

The thermal insulation of the clothing ensemble, Icler (B, C, R), is expressed in m²K/W and measured using a moving thermal manikin under laboratory conditions. The movement simulates the effect of light or moderate physical work on thermal insulation.

B/C/R indicates the undergarment ensemble used in testing:

• B – Standard undergarment ensemble
• C – Manufacturer-specified undergarment ensemble
• R – Standard reference clothing ensemble used for testing individual garments

AP – Air Permeability (Wind Resistance)

Measured in mm/s. Classes 1–3, with Class 3 providing the highest level of wind resistance.

WP – Water Penetration Resistance

An optional test that evaluates the water resistance of the fabric and seams. An "X" marking indicates that the garment is not waterproof or that this property has not been tested.

The table is intended as a guideline. It shows the estimated amount of time a person can spend in a cold environment without their body temperature dropping too rapidly. This duration depends on the person's activity level, ambient temperature and wind speed.

Protective clothing against cold should be selected according to the working conditions, physical demands of the work and weather conditions.

Layering improves thermal protection and helps retain body heat in cold conditions. It also makes it easier to adapt to changing weather conditions, such as sudden temperature changes.

The best protection against cold is achieved when the jacket and trousers are worn together. The garment's ability to protect against cold is reduced if the wearer sweats and becomes wet.

Protective clothing protects the wearer against brief contact with flames, radiant heat and the thermal hazards caused by an electric arc.

The standard includes two different test methods that are not directly comparable.

EN 61482-1-1 – Open arc test

EN 61482-1-1 is known as the open arc test. The thermal insulation performance of a garment or fabric exposed to an electric arc indicates how much energy (cal/cm²) the fabric can withstand before there is a risk of second-degree burns.

The test determines the arc rating of protective clothing made from the tested material. The arc rating is a numerical value that indicates the garment's protective performance against the thermal effects of an electric arc.

Protection can be expressed using three different values: ATPV, EBT and ELIM.

ATPV (Arc Thermal Performance Value) indicates the incident thermal energy level, expressed in cal/cm², at which there is a 50% probability of the wearer sustaining second-degree burns.

EBT (Energy Breakopen Threshold) indicates the energy level at which the fabric breaks open when exposed to an electric arc. The EBT value is reported when it is lower than the ATPV value, in which case the ATPV value cannot be reported as the arc rating.

ELIM (Incident Energy Limit, cal/cm²) indicates the incident energy level up to which the garment can be exposed without reaching the specified threshold for second-degree burns.

EN 61482-1-2 – Box test

EN 61482-1-2 is known as the box test. The test is carried out at a voltage of 400 V AC with an arc duration of 500 ms.

There are two protection classes, determined by the intensity of the electric arc used during testing:

• Class 1 (APC 1, 4 kA) – Basic protection
• Class 2 (APC 2, 7 kA) – Higher level of protection

For all these values, a higher value indicates a higher level of protection within the respective test method.

Protective clothing against rain that complies with EN 343:2019 provides protection against rain, snow, fog and ground moisture. The standard specifies requirements for the waterproofness and breathability of garments. The water penetration resistance and water vapour resistance of the fabric and seams are also tested.

The numbers and letters next to the pictogram for protective clothing against rain indicate:

• X = Water penetration resistance, or waterproofness class (Class 4 is the highest)
• Y = Water vapour resistance, or breathability class (Class 4 is the highest)
• R = Rain tower test. This test is optional. An "X" marking indicates that the garment has not been tested.

Recommended wearing times

The table shows how water vapour resistance affects the recommended wearing times for continuous use at different ambient temperatures. The table is intended as a guideline.

The values in the table indicate the recommended maximum durations for continuous use of a complete suit (jacket and trousers without a thermal insulating lining). Particular attention should be paid to the restricted wearing times of garments in water vapour resistance Class 1.

The standard specifies requirements for knee protectors used when working in a kneeling position. Knee protectors are designed to provide effective protection for people who work on their knees. Kneeling is not a natural working position and can be uncomfortable. Without suitable protection, workers may suffer injuries caused by objects or hard surfaces.

The type and protection level of the knee protectors are indicated in the CE marking.

The numbers next to the pictogram indicate:

• X = Knee protector type (1–4)
• Y = Knee protector protection level (Level 2 is the highest)

Types of knee protectors

Type 1: Knee protectors that are independent of other clothing and are fastened around the leg.

Type 2: Knee protectors made of foam or other soft materials, designed to be inserted into knee pad pockets in trousers or permanently attached to the trousers.

Type 3: Knee protection equipment that is not attached to the body but is positioned as the wearer moves. These protectors may be designed for each knee separately or for both knees together.

Type 4: Knee protectors for one or both knees that form part of equipment with additional functions, such as a kneeling support frame or kneeling chair. The protectors may be worn on the body or used separately.

Protection levels

Level 0: Knee protectors suitable only for flat floor surfaces. They do not provide protection against penetration.

Level 1: Knee protectors suitable for flat or uneven floor surfaces. They provide protection against penetration by a force of at least 100 ± 5 N.

Level 2: Knee protectors suitable for flat or uneven floor surfaces in demanding conditions. They provide protection against penetration by a force of at least 250 ± 10 N.

The standard specifies test methods for evaluating the suitability of textiles and garments for industrial washing and drying. Garments suitable for industrial washing and drying in accordance with ISO 15797 are identified by the PRO symbol.