Protective clothing certification
Clothing protecting against heat and flame is typically Category III PPE: it protects against risks that can cause death or irreversible harm, and every performance level on its marking must be demonstrated by measurement. Certification is a notified body's procedure — and BIMEO covers this field alongside footwear and gloves.
Which products?
- heat- and flame-protective clothing (EN ISO 11612) — garments for industrial, metallurgical and energy-sector environments;
- welding protective clothing (EN ISO 11611) — Class 1 and 2, against molten-metal splash and short-duration flame;
- motorcycle garments (EN 17092) — Classes AAA to C; see Motorcycle & mobility PPE;
- general requirements (EN ISO 13688) — applied to all protective clothing together with the product-specific standard, never on their own.
What we measure on the garment
Radiant-heat protection and limited flame spread are measured with our own laboratory's equipment, as are material and seam strength, abrasion and flexing endurance. Where a standard requires a test beyond that equipment, the scope review names it before the quotation and it is sourced separately. Development measurement and type-examination run to the same technical standard, in separated roles.
The procedure
- Enquiry: identifying the product, the target standard and the performance levels aimed for.
- Technical documentation submission per Regulation (EU) 2016/425.
- EU type-examination (Module B): assessment of the technical documentation, and examination and testing of the type sample against the standard's requirements.
- Certificate: where the type meets the applicable requirements, BIMEO issues the EU type-examination certificate.
- For Category III: Module C2 or D is also required — depending on the product scope, it may be provided by our partner notified body GÉPTESZT (NB 2233).
Frequently asked questions
What does EN ISO 11612 cover, and what does EN ISO 11611?
EN ISO 11612 is the product standard for heat- and flame-protective clothing: limited flame spread plus performance levels against convective (B), radiant (C) and contact (F) heat and splashes of molten aluminium and iron (D, E). EN ISO 11611 is specifically for clothing used in welding and allied processes (Class 1 and 2). A garment can be certified to both where the intended use justifies it.
Is EN ISO 13688 enough on its own for CE marking?
No. EN ISO 13688 sets the general requirements (innocuousness, sizing, marking, comfort characteristics) that apply to all protective clothing — but it is always applied together with a product-specific standard such as EN ISO 11612 or EN ISO 11611.
What samples and documentation are needed?
Finished garments as intended for series production, in the planned size, plus material samples that allow the fabrics and seams to be identified; and the technical documentation required by the Regulation (material data, construction drawings, user information, risk analysis). After your enquiry we send an exact sample and document list.
Can a manufacturer outside the EU certify with you?
Yes. The procedure runs remotely with English documentation and courier samples. Our page for non-EU manufacturers covers the details.
Related standards
Further reading
Start a certification enquiry
Tell us which product needs EU type-examination and against which standard — we will explain the procedure steps and the documentation required.
Start an enquiry