EN343:2019
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING: PROTECTION AGAINST RAIN
(NEN-EN 343:2019 supersedes EN 343:2003+A1:2007.)
NEN-EN 343 specifies the performance requirements and test methods for materials and readymade garments that provide protection against the effects of precipitation (e.g. rain, snowflakes), fog, and ground humidity. Garments that provide protection against effects other than precipitation (e.g. water splashes, waves) are excluded from this standard. The protective effects and requirements of footwear, gloves, and separate headwear are excluded from the scope of this document.
Explanation categories:
X: Water penetration (four (4) levels, where class 4 is the best)
Y: Water vapor resistance / breathability (four (4) levels, where class 4 is best)
R: Rain tower test (optional) – X indicates “not tested”
X: Water penetration classes:
| Classes | Water penetration |
| Class 1 | ≥ 8.000 Pa |
| Class 2 | ≥ 8.000 Pa after pretreatment |
| Class 3 | ≥ 13.000 Pa after pretreatment |
| Class 4 | ≥ 20.000 Pa after pretreatment |
Y: The following table can be used as a guideline for wearing time relative to the garments’ breathability:
Recommended maximum continuous wearing time for a complete suit consisting of jacket and trousers without thermal lining.
| Recommended maximum continuous wearing time for a complete suit consisting of jacket and trousers without thermal lining | ||||
| Class 1 | Class 2 | Class 3 | Class 4 | |
| Temperature of working environment | Ret > 40 | 25 < Ret ≤ 40 | 15 < Ret ≤ 25 | Ret ≤ 15 |
| 25 °C | 60 min | 105 min | 180 min | No limit |
| 20 °C | 75 min | 250 min | No limit | No limit |
| 15 °C | 100 min | No limit | No limit | No limit |
| 10 °C | 240 min | No limit | No limit | No limit |
| 5°C | No limit | No limit | No limit | No limit |
| Table valid for medium physiological strain M = 150 W/m², average male, at 50% relative humidity and wind speed of 0.5 m/s. | ||||
R: Rain tower test
The 2019 version of the standard introduces the rain tower test. This optional test allows the readymade garment to be evaluated against the effects of a rain shower.
The garment is then assessed for its wicking capacity and its capacity to prevent water from penetrating the garment’s inner side. “R” next to the pictogram indicates that the garment passed; an “X” indicates that the test was not performed.
Differences with previous version of this standard:
- Design changes are required
- Pockets must be designed to prevent water from entering the garment
- All closures must be closed and must not open unexpectedly
- Water penetration levels changed from three (3) levels to four (4) levels; levels 1 to 3 remain the same while level 4 states that after pre-treatment, the garment and seams must withstand a water column of at least two (2) metres (20.000 Pa)
- Water vapor resistance/ breathability levels have changed from three (3) levels to four (4) levels; the requirements per level have also changed
- Addition of the optional rain tower test
