EN ISO 13688
Protective clothing — general requirements
The base standard behind every protective garment: innocuousness, sizing and marking, comfort and ageing requirements — always applied alongside the product-specific standard.
Current edition:
EN ISO 13688:2013 + A1:2021 — successor of EN 340:2003A1:2021 modernised the innocuousness package (pH, azo colourants, chromium(VI) in leather, nickel release with an updated EN 1811 reference).
At the review date EN ISO 13688:2013+A1:2021 is the harmonised version (cited 9 December 2022, Decision (EU) 2022/2414); the base edition lost presumption on 9 June 2024. The EU Official Journal defines the status at any given time.
What does the standard require?
- Innocuousness: pH testing, prohibition of azo colourants releasing carcinogenic amines, chromium(VI) limit for leather, nickel-release limit for skin-contact metal parts
- Ergonomics and design: unrestricted movement, compatibility with other PPE
- Ageing: dimensional stability and label legibility after repeated cleaning cycles; care labelling
- Size designation from defined body measurements; manufacturer marking and information duties
Classes and levels: No performance classes — the horizontal "chassis" standard that the specific clothing standards (EN ISO 11611, 11612 …) build on; never used alone.
Related standards
Certification (NB 1524)
This standard sets general requirements. BIMEO applies them in every EU type-examination of the products they cover, together with the standard for the protection claimed; on their own they are not a certification basis.
Technical content cross-checked against external sources. Last reviewed: 2026-08-14. The authoritative list of harmonised versions is always the EU Official Journal.
A question about testing to EN ISO 13688, or about certifying a product that has to meet these requirements?
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