All protective clothing that is placed on the European market must meet the requirements of the EN ISO 13688 standard. This standard defines the general requirements that apply for all types of protective clothing, but does not specify protective properties for the garments and cannot therefore be used as a standalone base document for certification.

The standard specifies, for example, how garments must be marked, how the sizes must be graded, wording and layout of user instructions and care instructions, and that neither the design nor materials must pose any risk to the health or safety of the wearer. This means that the actual design of the garment must not cause problems or injure the wearer, for example, by restricting their field of vision or having sharp edges. In addition, the product must not release substances that may cause allergic reactions or otherwise cause harm or discomfort to the wearer.

EN ISO 13688 is always used when verifying protective clothing performance, but the standard is not symbolised in a pictogram and is not stated on the garment’s label.