Understanding Workwear Certifications: EN Standards Explained
What Are EN Standards?
When you buy workwear or personal protective equipment (PPE) in Latvia or anywhere in the European Union, you'll often see references to "EN standards" on labels and product descriptions. EN stands for European Norm — a set of technical standards developed by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) to ensure products meet consistent safety and performance requirements across all EU member states.
For workwear, EN standards define exactly how a garment or piece of equipment must perform to protect the wearer from specific hazards. Understanding these standards helps you make informed purchasing decisions and ensures your team is genuinely protected — not just wearing something that looks like safety gear.
The CE Marking: Your First Check
Before looking at specific EN standards, check for the CE marking on any PPE product. The CE mark indicates that the product has been tested and certified to meet EU safety requirements. For Category II and Category III PPE (intermediate and high-risk protection), the CE mark must be accompanied by a four-digit number identifying the notified body that carried out the certification.
Without a CE mark, a product cannot legally be sold as PPE in Latvia or the EU, and it should not be used as protective equipment in the workplace.
Key EN Standards for Workwear
EN ISO 13688 – General Requirements for Protective Clothing
This is the foundational standard that all protective clothing must meet before it can comply with any specific EN standard. It covers ergonomics, innocuousness (the clothing must not harm the wearer), sizing, ageing, compatibility with other PPE, and marking requirements. Think of it as the baseline that all other standards build upon.
EN ISO 20471 – High-Visibility Clothing
This standard applies to clothing designed to make the wearer visually conspicuous in hazardous situations, particularly near moving vehicles or machinery. It defines three classes based on the minimum area of fluorescent and retroreflective material:
- Class 1 – Minimum visibility (e.g., accessories, vests for low-risk environments)
- Class 2 – Medium visibility (e.g., vests and jackets for workers near traffic)
- Class 3 – Maximum visibility (e.g., full garments for road workers and emergency services)
In Latvia, road workers and construction site workers near traffic are typically required to wear Class 2 or Class 3 hi-vis clothing.
EN 343 – Protection Against Rain
EN 343 covers protective clothing against rain and wet conditions. It rates garments on two scales: water penetration resistance (1–3, with 3 being the highest) and water vapour resistance/breathability (1–3, with 3 being the most breathable). A garment rated EN 343 Class 3:3 offers maximum rain protection with maximum breathability — ideal for active outdoor workers in Latvia's wet climate.
EN 342 – Protection Against Cold
EN 342 applies to clothing designed to protect against cold environments, typically below -5°C. It measures thermal resistance (Rct) and water vapour resistance. This standard is particularly relevant for Latvian workers during winter months, when outdoor temperatures can drop well below freezing.
EN 14058 – Protection Against Cool Environments
A step below EN 342, EN 14058 covers protection against cool (rather than cold) environments, typically between -5°C and +10°C. This is relevant for workers in refrigerated warehouses, early morning outdoor work in autumn, or transitional seasons.
EN ISO 11612 – Protection Against Heat and Flame
This standard applies to clothing that protects against heat and flame hazards, used by welders, foundry workers, and others working near open flames or molten metal. It tests for limited flame spread, convective heat, radiant heat, molten aluminium splash, and molten iron splash, with performance levels A through F.
EN ISO 11611 – Welding and Allied Processes
Specifically designed for welding protective clothing, EN ISO 11611 defines two classes: Class 1 for less hazardous welding techniques and Class 2 for more hazardous situations involving greater spatter and radiant heat.
EN ISO 20345 – Safety Footwear
The primary standard for safety boots and shoes, EN ISO 20345 defines protection levels from SB (basic, 200J toecap) through S5 (full waterproof with penetration-resistant midsole). See our dedicated guide on choosing the right safety boots for a full breakdown of this standard.
EN 388 – Protective Gloves Against Mechanical Risks
EN 388 rates gloves against abrasion, blade cut, tear, and puncture resistance on a scale of 0–4 (or 0–5 for cut resistance under the updated standard). The rating appears as a four or five-digit number on the glove label — higher numbers indicate better protection.
How to Read a Workwear Label
A compliant workwear label will show the CE mark, the specific EN standard(s) the garment meets, the performance class or level for each standard, the manufacturer's name and address, care instructions, and sizing information. If a label is missing any of these elements, treat the product with caution and request a Declaration of Conformity from the supplier.
Why Buying Certified Workwear Matters
Uncertified or counterfeit PPE is a serious problem in the market. Products that look like safety gear but lack proper certification may fail to protect workers when it matters most. Beyond the human cost, using non-compliant PPE exposes employers to significant legal liability under Latvian labour protection law.
At TEXX, every product we sell carries the appropriate CE certification and complies with the relevant EN standards. We provide full documentation on request, so you can be confident that your team is genuinely protected. Browse our certified workwear collection or contact us for advice on choosing the right products for your workplace.