EN Codes on Workwear and PPE: What Every Marking Means
A plain-English guide to the EN codes on workwear, safety shoes and gloves: what each class, letter and number means, and how to read a label before you buy.
Every certified garment, boot and glove sold in the EU carries a set of EN codes. They aren't marketing. Each one is a tested performance level, and the number or letter next to it tells you exactly how much protection you're buying. Here is what the common markings mean.
- A CE mark followed by four digits means Category III PPE: protection against fatal or irreversible harm.
- For hi-vis,
Class 3is the highest. For rainwear,EN 343 4:4is the best rating for both waterproofing and breathability. - Safety shoes:
S3is the all-rounder,S7is an S3 with a waterproof membrane. - On gloves, trust the
EN 388letter (A to F) for cut protection, not the second digit.
First, the CE mark and PPE categories
All personal protective equipment sold in the EU falls under Regulation (EU) 2016/425 and is placed in one of three categories.
Minimal risk
Light gardening gloves, simple weather protection. The manufacturer certifies it themselves.
Everything in between
Most workwear, safety footwear and general-purpose gloves. Type-examined by a notified body.
Irreversible harm or death
Flame, chemicals, electric arc, falls. Type-examined and checked in ongoing production.
A CE mark with four digits after it (the notified body number) means Category III. A CE mark on its own means Category I or II. Every item should also come with an EU Declaration of Conformity.
EN ISO 13688: the base standard
This is the general requirements standard for all protective clothing: sizing, labelling, harmlessness, ageing and compatibility. You'll never see it alone. It is always listed next to the standard that describes the actual protection.
EN ISO 20471: high visibility
Classifies garments by how much fluorescent background material and retroreflective tape they carry.
| Class | Minimum area (fluorescent / reflective) | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | 0.14 m² / 0.10 m² | Low-risk sites, private yards |
| Class 2 | 0.50 m² / 0.13 m² | Warehousing, secondary roads |
| Class 3 | 0.80 m² / 0.20 m², covering the torso plus sleeves or full-length legs | Motorways, rail, night work |
The number under the wash tub symbol is the maximum number of wash cycles for which the colour and the reflective tape stay certified, typically 25 to 50. Past that count the garment no longer complies, even if it still looks bright.
EN 17353: enhanced visibility
For medium-risk and non-professional use, where full EN ISO 20471 coverage isn't required. It replaced EN 1150 and EN 13356.
EN ISO 11612: heat and flame
Certification is shown as letters, each with a performance level. A garment lists only the letters it passed, and a higher number means more protection.
Limited flame spread
Surface ignition (A1) and edge ignition (A2).
Convective heat
Heat carried by hot air and flames.
Radiant heat
Heat radiating from furnaces and hot surfaces.
Molten aluminium
Splashes of molten aluminium.
Molten iron
Splashes of molten iron.
Contact heat
Touching hot objects.
A foundry worker needs D and E. A process operator near open flame needs A and B.
EN ISO 14116: limited flame spread
For garments that must not spread flame but aren't full heat protection. Rated Index 1, 2 or 3. Index 1 must never be worn directly against the skin.
EN ISO 11611: welding
Light welding
Lighter techniques and conditions, with limited spatter.
Heavy welding
More spatter and more radiant heat.
IEC 61482: electric arc
Two test methods are in use. The box test (IEC 61482-2) gives APC 1 (4 kA) or APC 2 (7 kA). The open arc test gives an ATPV or ELIM value in cal/cm². The higher that number, the more incident energy the fabric withstands.
A box test class and a cal/cm² value measure different things and aren't interchangeable. When you compare two garments, check they were tested the same way.
EN 1149-5: antistatic
Electrostatic dissipative clothing for areas with an explosion risk.
The garment must be fully closed, worn over other antistatic layers, and the wearer must be earthed through conductive footwear. On its own it is not protection against ignition.
EN 13034: limited chemical splash (Type 6)
Protection against light spray and small splashes of liquid chemicals. It is not made for immersion or pressurised jets. Type 6 is the lowest of the chemical protection types.
EN 343: rain
Rainwear is marked with two figures, each on a scale of 1 to 4 since the 2019 revision.
- 4Water penetration, fabric and seams
- 4Breathability (water vapour resistance, Ret)
- ROptional: passed the rain tower test as a finished garment
| Figure | What it measures | Best class |
|---|---|---|
| First | Resistance to water penetration, fabric and seams | Class 4: at least 20,000 Pa after pre-treatment |
| Second | Breathability, as water vapour resistance (Ret) | Class 4: Ret 15 or lower (lower is better) |
| R | Rain tower test on the finished garment | Pass or not marked |
For all-day outdoor work, look for 4:4 or 3:3. A high waterproof rating with class 1 breathability will leave you as wet from the inside as from the rain.
EN 342 and EN 14058: cold
Below −5 °C
Complete ensembles for cold environments, like cold stores and freezer work.
Above −5 °C
Single garments for cool environments.
EN 14404: knee protection
This standard certifies the trouser and the knee pad together. Most work trousers are Type 2: the pads slide into pockets on the legs.
Work trousers only comply with EN 14404 when they are fitted with the specific knee pads the manufacturer lists. Swap in a different pad and the certification no longer applies.
EN ISO 20345: safety footwear
Safety footwear means a 200-joule toecap. The 2022 revision changed the classes and the extra markings.
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| SB | Basic: 200 J toecap and basic slip resistance |
| S1 | SB + closed heel area, antistatic, energy absorption in the heel |
| S1P / S1PL / S1PS | S1 + penetration resistance (metal / non-metal tested with a 4.5 mm nail / non-metal tested with a 3 mm nail) |
| S2 | S1 + upper that resists water penetration and absorption |
| S3 / S3L / S3S | S2 + penetration resistance + cleated outsole |
| S6 | S2 + waterproof construction (replaces the old "S2 WR") |
| S7 / S7L / S7S | S3 + waterproof construction (replaces the old "S3 WR") |
| SR | Extra slip resistance on ceramic tile with glycerine. Basic slip resistance is now standard on all safety footwear, so it is no longer marked separately. |
| WPA | Water penetration and absorption of the upper (replaces the old WRU) |
| FO | Fuel oil resistant outsole. Part of S1 and up under the 2011 version, now an optional extra marking. |
| HRO / CI / HI | Heat-resistant outsole / cold insulation / heat insulation |
| M / AN | Metatarsal protection / ankle protection |
Certificates issued under the 2011 version stay valid until they expire, so you'll see old markings like S3 SRC next to new ones like S3S SR. Shoes without a toecap fall under EN ISO 20347 and use O-classes (O1, O2, O3).
Want more detail on soles, heights and materials? Read our safety shoe buying guide.
EN 388: mechanical risks for gloves
Four digits, then up to two letters. Read them left to right.
- 4Abrasion, 1 to 4
- XCut, coupe test, 1 to 5 or X
- 4Tear, 1 to 4
- 3Puncture, 1 to 4
- FCut, TDM test, A to F
- POptional impact protection
X in the second position means the blade went blunt during the coupe test, so the TDM-100 test (ISO 13997) was used instead.
For cut protection, go by the letter. F is the highest level, and the TDM result is the figure to trust.
Related glove standards: EN ISO 21420 (general requirements, dexterity, harmlessness), EN 407 (heat and fire), EN 511 (cold) and EN ISO 374 (chemicals and micro-organisms).
Care and labelling codes
- EN ISO 15797: tested for industrial laundering. Essential if your garments go to a rental or laundry service.
- EN ISO 3758: the wash, bleach, dry, iron and dry-clean symbols on the care label.
- OEKO-TEX® Standard 100: not an EN standard, but a test for harmful substances in the textile.
Quick answers
What does EN ISO 20471 class 3 mean?
Class 3 is the highest high-visibility class. It needs the largest area of fluorescent and reflective material and covers the torso plus the sleeves or full-length legs, which is why it is required for motorway, rail and night work.
What is the difference between S1, S3 and S7 safety shoes?
S1 has a 200-joule toecap, antistatic properties and an energy-absorbing heel. S3 adds a water-resistant upper, penetration resistance and a cleated outsole. S7 is an S3 shoe with a waterproof construction, and replaces the old S3 WR marking under EN ISO 20345:2022.
What do the numbers on EN 388 gloves mean?
The four digits are abrasion, cut by the coupe test, tear and puncture resistance. A letter from A to F afterwards gives cut resistance measured by the TDM-100 test, where F is the highest level.
What does EN 343 4:4 mean?
The first figure is resistance to water penetration and the second is breathability, both on a scale of 1 to 4 since the 2019 revision. 4:4 is the highest rating for both, suitable for all-day outdoor work in heavy rain.
Does a CE mark alone mean the product is certified for high risk?
No. A CE mark with a four-digit notified body number indicates Category III PPE for irreversible or fatal risks such as flame, chemicals and electric arc. A CE mark without those digits indicates Category I or II.
Are work trousers EN 14404 certified on their own?
No. EN 14404 certifies the trouser and the knee pad as a combination. The trousers only comply when fitted with the specific knee pads named by the manufacturer.
Where can I buy EN certified workwear and PPE in Europe?
Bitco Workwear supplies EN certified workwear, safety footwear and PPE from Sir Safety, Helly Hansen, Blåkläder, Kübler, Planam, S.24 and TMG, and ships across the EU. The EN standards and protection classes that apply are listed on every product page.
Shop by the standard you need
Every product page lists its EN standards and protection classes, and the filters on each collection let you narrow down by EN standard. Buying for a company? Add your VAT number to see business prices.
