EN 343:2019

EN 343:2019 is the European standard for clothing protecting against rain, and covers precipitation, fog and ground moisture. Two independent parameters are graded: water tightness (class 1-4, tested as water column before and after pre-conditioning such as wash, abrasion and flexing) and water vapour resistance Ret (class 1-4, in m2Pa/W). The 2019 revision extended both scales with a fourth top class and added an optional rain tower test in which a mannequin performs defined movements under simulated heavy rain. The former popular class 3 corresponds to at least 8,000 mm water column; class 4 requires significantly higher values after pre-conditioning. Garments passing the rain tower test may carry the X symbol. Rain clothing is PPE category I unless combined with additional risks such as hi-vis.