The waterproof workwear in our collection complies with the EN 343 standard. This standard encompasses requirements to provide the protection against rain, fog, snow and humidity. The standard also describes the ways in which these requirements are to be tested. A considerable number of professional groups who seriously require workwear that complies with the standard EN 343. In some circumstances waterproof workwear is crucial for any outdoor work activities such as construction or installation technology. In this article we will explain the meaning of the standard EN 343 and what requires specific attention when purchasing this waterproof workwear.

WHAT DOES THE EN 343 STANDARD INVOLVE?

The EN 343 standard promotes two high values: waterproofness and water vapour resistance, also called breathing capacity. In the icon of the EN 343 standard, these values are represented by an X-value and a Y-value, in which the X-value stands for the class of waterproofness and the Y-value stands for the class of water vapour resistance. The work garment for both waterproofness and breathing capacity is classified under one of the three classes within the EN 343 standard, if a work garment satisfies a certain minimum value. The class for the waterproofness and the class for breathing capacity are not interdependent. For example, a product could have a strong waterproofness (class 3) and at the same time have a less strong breathing capacity (class 1).

What are the differences between these classes?

THREE CLASSES OF PROTECTION AGAINST RAIN

The big difference between the classes is the extent to which protection is provided.

Class Waterproofness
1 ≥ 80 cm
2 ≥ 80 cm (after pre-treatment)
3 ≥ 130 cm (after pre-treatment)

As shown in the table, the level of waterproofness for class 3 must be 130 cm, whereas for class 1 and 2 this is 80 cm. For Class 2 and class 3, there is a requirement that these standards are met, even after several treatments. This means, for example wear, bending or the influence of oil or petrol.
The waterproofness is measured by use of a water column: a tube with a diameter of 2.5 cm. This tube is placed on the material and filled with water. If, for example, the column is filled with up to eight meters of water and the material starts letting through water, this implies a waterproofness value of 80 cm.

Class Water vapour resistance
1 ret > 40
2 ret 20-40
3 ret < 20

In addition, requirements are made to the water vapour resistance, the breathing capacity, because waterproof workwear may be impeding, by definition, for the degree in which water vapour (the form of perspiration) can be drained. There are three values for that; every class has its own value here. The water vapour resistance is expressed by the ret-value (retention value). The lower the ret-value, the better it is for the breathing capacity. In table above, the three classes and the associated minimum requirement are summarised.

HIGH QUALITY WATERPROOF WORKWEAR

Manufacturers do not need to visit a testing company to be granted the EN 343 standard for their products. The lack of waterproofness and breathing capacity is not life-threatening. That is why the manufacturers themselves assess whether their products satisfy the EN 343 standard. Then how will you know if the workwear you purchased has the desired quality? It would be unpleasant to get drenched, while assuming you are wearing waterproof workwear. We have thoroughly tested our products and made sure that our workwear requires the EN 343 standard. That is how we know that the workwear, sold with the EN 343 standard, is actually waterproof and has a high breathing capacity.

WATERPROOF WORKWEAR FROM TRICORP WITH THE EN 343 STANDARD

In table below, you can find which Tricorp workwear satisfies the EN 343 standard. Part of our waterproof workwear also satisfies the high standard for visibility workwear (EN ISO 20471).

Item number	Item name	Norm standard 343
402003	Cordura Parka	EN 343:2019 Class 3:3:X
402007	Midi Canvas Parka	EN 343:2003+A1:2007 Class 3:1
402013	Basic Rain Jacket	EN 343:2003+A1:2007 Class 3:1
402018	Tech Shell	EN 343:2019 Class 3:4:X
403001	Traffic Marshall's Parka	EN 343:2003+A1:2007 Class 3:3
403004	Bi-Color Parka, ISO 20471	EN 343:2003+A1:2007 Class 3:3
403005	RWS Parka	EN 343:2003+A1:2007 Class 3:3
403006	RWS bomber Jacket	EN 343:2003+A1:2007 Class 3:3
403009	Multi-Standard Parka Bicolor	EN 343:2019 Class 3:1:X
403010	Multi-Standard Parka	EN 343:2019 Class 3:1:X
403020	Parka High Vis Bicolor	EN 343:2019 Class 3:1:X
403023	Midi Parka High Vis Bicolor	EN 343:2019 Class 3:1:X
404006	Premium Rain Jacket	EN 343:2003+A1:2007 Class 3:3
502012	Basic Rain Trousers	EN 343:2003+A1:2007 Class 3:1
503001	RWS Rain Trousers	EN 343:2003+A1:2007 Class 3:3
504007	Premium Rain Trousers	EN 343:2003+A1:2007 Class 3:3
402702	Midi Parka Rewear	EN 343:2019 Class 3:1:X
402708	Winter Tech Shell RE2050	EN 343:2019 Class 4:1:X
402703	Winter Tech Shell Accent	EN 343:2019 Class 3:2:X
403703	Parka Revisible	EN 343:2019 Class 3:1:X

RWS in this case stands for Rijkswaterstaat (Dept. of Public Works and Water Management). This means that this workwear meets the additional requirements of this Department.

MULTI-STANDARD TRICORP WORKWEAR

The Parka Multi-standard and the Parka Multi-standard Bi-color are also part of our wide variety of waterproof and multi-standard workwear. We are always available for more information or personal advice.