EN Standards for Chemical PPE: EN 943, EN 14605, EN 13034—What Do They Really Mean?

Buying chemical protective clothing is one thing—understanding what the EN standard on the label really means is another.

Whether you’re looking at EN 943, EN 14605, EN 13034, or EN 13982, each standard defines a different level of protection and usage context.

Here’s a clear, no-jargon breakdown of the main EN standards for chemical protective suits—and what they tell you about the gear you’re buying.

What Are EN Standards?

EN standards are European Norms—technical safety standards developed by recognized bodies like CEN (European Committee for Standardization).
In chemical PPE, they specify how suits should be tested, labeled, and used.

If a suit is CE-certified, it means it complies with at least one EN standard that applies to its intended hazard.

✅ Think of EN standards as the “safety license plate” on your chemical suit.

Overview Table of Key EN Standards for Chemical Protective Clothing

Deep Dive: EN 943-1 and EN 943-2

EN 943-1: Gas-Tight Chemical Suits (Type 1)

• Full body, encapsulating design
• Requires air-tight zippers, sealed seams, and visor systems
• Must pass gas leak tightness test (Type 1a for SCBA inside, 1b for SCBA outside)

✅ Used in: chemical manufacturing, HAZMAT teams, toxic gas emergencies

EN 943-2: Emergency Team Suits (ET)

• Stricter version of EN 943-1
• Designed for chemical emergency response crews
• Must meet additional flame resistance and mechanical strength

🧯 If you’re protecting rescue workers or firefighters, EN 943-2 compliance is critical.

EN 14605: Liquid & Spray-Tight Suits (Type 3 and 4)

Type 3: Liquid-Tight Suits

• Withstands pressurized liquid spray
• Must have sealed seams, welded zippers, and tight cuffs
• Example: acid handling, bulk liquid transfer

Type 4: Spray-Tight Suits

• For low-pressure chemical sprays
• Looser seal than Type 3, but still resistant to saturation

✅ Most chemical splash suits fall into Type 3 or Type 4
✅ Check if hood, cuffs, zippers are truly liquid-sealed

EN ISO 13982-1: Particle Protection (Type 5)

• For airborne solid particles, like powders or fibers
• No liquid protection
• Must resist particle penetration for at least 8 hours

✅ Used in: pharma, asbestos removal, powder coating

EN 13034: Limited Chemical Splash Protection (Type 6)

• Lowest protection level
• Resists small volume, low-pressure splashes
• Ideal for cleaning, light lab work, maintenance tasks

✅ Great for general use—but never for high-risk chemical exposure

EN 1149-5: Anti-Static Clothing

• Optional, but often required in ATEX or flammable zones
• Prevents electrostatic discharge (ESD) from building up
• Fabric must meet charge decay time < 2s

✅ Often combined with Type 5/6 suits in pharma or explosive facilities

EN 14325: How Fabric Performance Is Graded

EN 14325 doesn’t define protection level—it’s the testing protocol behind other standards.

It measures:

• Resistance to permeation (how long until chemical passes through)
• Resistance to penetration (how well seams/fabric blocks liquid)
• Tensile & tear strength
• Abrasion and flex cracking

🧪 This is how you compare one suit’s performance vs. another—even if they have the same Type.

How to Read a Label Like a Pro

Your suit should have a label or datasheet with:

• CE mark with 4-digit Notified Body number
• Standard(s) applied: e.g. EN 14605:2005 + A1:2009
• Type classification (e.g. Type 3B)
• Size, batch number, date of manufacture
• Fabric performance class (optional but recommended)
• Pictograms: liquid splash, dust, gas, biohazard, static, etc.

✅ Never buy chemical suits without a visible CE + EN marking + DoC availability.

Common Pitfalls in Understanding EN Standards

Conclusion

Understanding EN standards isn’t just paperwork—it’s essential for worker safety, compliance, and legal protection.

As a buyer or EHS lead:

• Match chemical risk with the correct Type (1–6)
• Always verify suits are tested under the right EN standard
• Don’t just look for the CE logo—read what’s underneath it

Need help deciphering chemical PPE standards or finding CE-compliant gear for your workplace?
We’ll break down the complexity—and get you the protection you actually need.

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