European Standard · Protective Clothing
EN ISO 13688 – General Requirements for Protective Clothing
EN ISO 13688 is the foundational European standard setting general requirements for the design, ergonomics, sizing, marking and manufacturer information of all protective clothing, acting as the base standard that specific protective clothing standards build upon.
1. Scope
EN ISO 13688 applies to all types of protective clothing regardless of the specific hazard being protected against. It sets baseline requirements for garment ergonomics, sizing systems, innocuousness of materials, marking, and the information manufacturers must supply, which specific standards (such as those for heat, chemical or high-visibility protection) then add hazard-specific requirements on top of.
2. Exclusions & Related Standards
- Works alongside EN ISO 20471 (high-visibility clothing), EN ISO 11612 (heat and flame), EN 13034 and EN 14605 (chemical protective clothing), and EN 1149 (electrostatic properties).
- Does not by itself certify protection against any specific hazard – it must be combined with a hazard-specific clothing standard.
- Often combined with hand protection such as EN 388 and footwear meeting EN ISO 20345 for full-body coverage.
3. Key Requirements & Marking
Garments must be marked with the manufacturer name, garment designation, size, applicable standards with pictograms, and care labelling. Requirements cover ergonomic design, freedom of movement, sizing consistency, and that materials used do not themselves pose a health risk to the wearer.
4. Testing Overview
Testing under this base standard focuses on innocuousness of materials (no harmful substances), dimensional stability after cleaning, and ergonomic assessment through wearer trials, rather than hazard-specific performance which is tested under the relevant specialised standard.
5. Selection Guide
This standard is rarely selected on its own; instead, it underpins every other protective clothing standard. When selecting protective clothing, confirm the garment lists EN ISO 13688 alongside the specific hazard standard relevant to your task (heat, chemical, high-visibility, electrostatic, etc).
6. Inspection, Care and Maintenance
- Follow the manufacturer’s care label exactly, since washing methods can affect both fit and specific protective properties
- Check garments regularly for tears, seam failure or wear that could compromise ergonomic fit and specific protections
- Replace garments that no longer fit correctly, as poor fit can reduce the effectiveness of hazard-specific protections
- Store clean and dry, following manufacturer guidance to avoid material degradation
7. Frequently Asked Questions
What does EN ISO 13688 actually protect against?
On its own, nothing specific – it sets general design, sizing and marking requirements that all other protective clothing standards build upon.
Why is EN ISO 13688 listed alongside other standards on a garment label?
Because most hazard-specific clothing standards reference EN ISO 13688 as the base standard for general requirements, so both standards appear together on compliant garments.
Does this standard cover sizing?
Yes, it establishes the general sizing system and requirements that specific protective clothing standards use as their baseline.
Is EN ISO 13688 certification alone sufficient for hazardous work?
No, you also need the garment to meet the specific hazard standard relevant to your task, such as heat, chemical or high-visibility protection.
Does EN ISO 13688 cover comfort?
It addresses ergonomic design and freedom of movement, which relate to practical wearability, though comfort itself is subjective and not directly measured.