Category I — minor risks
Simple-design equipment for risks whose effects are superficial or easily reversible (friction, light splashes, mild weather). CE marking is mandatory.
Professional clothing standards
At work, the whole body can and must be protected. Depending on the activity, regulations require suitable equipment: helmet and visor, safety footwear, clothing against rain, heat, chemical splashes or fire, high visibility, hearing and respiratory protection, fall-arrest harnesses.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is a device intended to be worn or held to protect a person against one or more risks to their health or safety. It only works if it is actually worn: comfort and acceptance by the teams matter as much as the level of protection.
The European regulatory framework
Regulation (EU) 2016/425 sets the design and manufacturing requirements for PPE placed on the European market. It aims for a high level of protection for users and the free movement of this equipment in the Union. All products distributed by Protex EPI comply with it. For manufacturers of protective clothing, these requirements are spelled out in the EN standards.
The three PPE categories
Category II — serious risks
Equipment protecting against risks that can cause serious injury. It undergoes an EU type examination by a notified body; CE marking and the year of manufacture are required.
Category III — fatal or irreversible risks
Equipment protecting against the most serious hazards (falls from height, chemical, thermal or electrical risks…). Production is continuously monitored by a notified body.
The main EN standards for professional clothing
Click a standard to find out more. Every product page in our catalog lists the applicable certifications.
EN 343Protection against rain and bad weather
It rates the garment’s waterproofness and breathability. A high rating keeps water out while letting sweat escape — essential for outdoor work.
EN 1149-5Electrostatic properties (antistatic)
The garment dissipates electrostatic charges to reduce spark risk in flammable atmospheres. It must be worn as a full outfit, with suitable conductive footwear.
EN ISO 11611Protective clothing for welding and allied processes
It protects against small molten-metal splashes, welding radiation and brief contact with flame. Two classes according to splash intensity.
EN ISO 11612Protection against heat and flame
It covers flame spread, convective, radiant or contact heat, and molten-metal splashes. Letters A, B, C, D, E, F specify the type of hazard.
EN 13034Protection against liquid chemical splashes (type 6)
Limited protection against light sprays of liquid chemicals. It does not replace a sealed suit when immersion or heavy splash risk is identified.
EN 13758-2Protection against solar UV radiation
The fabric filters part of ultraviolet radiation. Useful for sun-exposed jobs, on top of other protection (cap, glasses, sunscreen).
EN 14058Protection against cool environments
It applies above −5 °C: thermal insulation, wind resistance and, where relevant, rain. Distinct from extreme-cold standards.
EN 14404Knee protection for kneeling work
It defines knee pads (inserted in the trousers or worn over them) according to the floor and how long you kneel. Compatible trousers are only certified with the intended pads.
ISO 15797Suitability for industrial laundering
It checks that the garment and its marking withstand industrial laundry cycles (temperature, chemistry, drying). Useful for fleets managed through rental or central laundering.
EN 17353Enhanced visibility for medium-risk situations
Enhanced visibility outside the requirements of road high-visibility clothing. It covers more moderate-risk situations and does not replace an EN ISO 20471 garment when that is mandatory.
EN ISO 20471High-visibility clothing — classes 1 to 3
It requires minimum areas of fluorescent fabric and retro-reflective bands, by day and by night. Class 3 offers the highest visibility. Marking must not reduce these areas.
IEC 61482-2Protection against the thermal hazards of an electric arc
It rates the garment’s resistance to an electric arc (APC 1 or 2, or an ELIM/ATPV value). It is often combined with heat/flame and antistatic standards.
Need help choosing?
If you are unsure whether an item matches your risk assessment, our team will point you to the right product and provide data sheets and EU declarations of conformity on request.
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