Chemical Protective Clothing: Types, Categories, and EN Standards Explained

Choosing the right chemical protective clothing isn’t just about picking a suit—it’s about understanding risk, protection levels, and international standards.

Whether you’re sourcing PPE for a chemical plant, pharmaceutical facility, or hazmat response team, knowing the differences between Type 1 to Type 6 suits, and the standards like EN 943 or EN 14605, can save lives—and protect your company from non-compliance.

Let’s break it all down in clear, simple terms.

What Is Chemical Protective Clothing?

Chemical protective clothing (CPC) refers to garments specifically designed to shield the wearer from hazardous chemical exposure—including liquid splashes, vapor, gas, or solid particulates.

Depending on your application, this might include:

• Disposable coveralls for light spray protection
• Fully encapsulated suits for toxic gas environments
• Multi-layer garments for acid, solvent, or pesticide handling

⚠️ Not all protective suits are equal—protection depends on type, material, and sealing system.

Understanding the Types: Type 1 to Type 6 Explained

Chemical protective clothing is categorized into six main types, based on the kind of chemical hazard and level of protection provided.

✅ The lower the number, the higher the protection. Type 1 = highest, Type 6 = light duty.

Key European Standards for Chemical PPE

Europe uses a robust set of standards to classify and test CPC. Here are the most relevant ones you need to know:

🏷️ If you’re exporting to Europe or working with EU-compliant clients, your suits must have CE marking + applicable EN codes on the label.

What Do the Symbols and Pictograms Mean?

Certified chemical suits will often have icon-style pictograms showing their protection level:

• A gas tank symbol = Type 1
• A spray nozzle = Type 3
• A dust cloud = Type 5
• An Erlenmeyer flask with splash = Type 6
• Antenna symbol = Anti-static compliant (EN 1149)

✅ Always check the label + datasheet + CE documentation to verify compliance.

When Should You Use Each Type?

Don’t overprotect or underprotect—match the suit to the job’s risk level.

Additional Certifications to Consider

Some suits may also require:

• EN 1073-2: Radioactive particle protection
• EN 14126: Infective agent protection (used in biolab, COVID, Ebola settings)
• EN 1149-5: Anti-static if used in ATEX zones (explosive risk)

✅ Always request a Declaration of Conformity (DoC) from your supplier to ensure true compliance.

Common Buyer Mistakes to Avoid

What to Ask Your Supplier

• What type classification is this suit? (1–6)
• Which EN standards does it comply with?
• Is it CE certified with a valid Notified Body number?
• Can I see test data or chemical compatibility charts?
• Is the suit disposable or reusable, and how many times?
• Does it come with anti-static or biohazard protection?

At workwearsolutions, we provide full documentation, labeling, and use-case matching to help you buy with confidence.

Conclusion

Chemical protective clothing isn’t one-size-fits-all.
The right protection depends on the chemicals used, the exposure level, and the working environment.

As a buyer:

• Know the Type classification system (1–6)
• Understand the EN standards behind the labels
• Match the suit to real hazards, not just budget or appearance

Need help choosing certified chemical protective suits for your facility or export project?
Let’s get the protection right—down to the last seam.

📩 Contact: [email protected]
🌐 Visit: www.workwearsolutions.net