EN 943 Protective clothing against hazardous solid, liquid and gaseous chemicals, including liquid and solid aerosols.

The European standard “EN 943 Protective clothing against hazardous solid, liquid and gaseous chemicals, including liquid and solid aerosols” consists of the following sub-sections published under the same title:

• The standard “EN 943-1 Part 1: Performance requirements for Type 1 (gas-tight) chemical protective suits” describes the minimum requirements, test methods, marking, and manufacturer-provided information for ventilated and non-ventilated gas-tight chemical protective suits.

This standard specifies full-body personal protective clothing to be worn for protection against solid, liquid, and gaseous chemicals, including liquid and solid aerosols. This standard does not specify minimum criteria for protection against non-chemical hazards such as radiological, fire, heat, explosive hazards, and infectious agents. This type of equipment is not designed for complete immersion in liquids.

Seams, joints, and assemblies connecting accessories are covered by this standard. Basic performance criteria for components such as gloves, boots, or respiratory protective equipment are given in other standards; additional requirements are provided in this standard.

Particle protection is limited to the physical penetration of particles. To provide protection against additional hazards outside the scope of this standard, chemicals such as highly air-sensitive reagents, unstable explosives, and cryogenic liquids have not been considered.

This standard requires testing the chemical permeability resistance of various building materials and components of the garment. Where multiple chemicals are tested, each component and building material must be tested against each chemical. Preconditioning and curing processes for materials and components to be reused must be carried out in accordance with the EN 14325 standard.

This standard specifies the requirements for full-body protective clothing (including integrated or attached gloves, boots, and visors) designed to protect the wearer against:

• Solid particles
• Liquid chemicals and aerosols
• Gaseous chemicals and vapors

These are Category III personal protective equipment (the highest risk category) designed for situations where there is a serious or fatal health risk from chemical exposure (e.g., industrial spills, maintenance in chemical plants, handling of hazardous materials, or emergency response).

Unlike lower types (Types 3-6), Type 1 clothing provides gas-tight protection, meaning the garment is completely sealed against gas/vapor ingress.

This standard distinguishes three subtypes of Type 1 gas-tight coveralls depending on the integration of a breathing apparatus:

• Type 1a: A gas-tight sleeping bag worn inside another sleeping bag, with a breathable air supply independent of the ambient atmosphere (e.g., self-contained breathing apparatus, SCBA, carried inside).
• Type 1b: Gas-tight coverall worn outside the sleeping bag, with an independent breathable air supply (most common configuration for SCBA).
• Type 1c: Gas-tight suit with a positive pressure air line connected to the breathing system (air is supplied from an external source).

Protective clothing must undergo extensive material testing:

• Internal leakage/gas tightness: Leakage test (typically a pressure drop or soap bubble test) to confirm there is no significant gas ingress.
• Chemical permeability resistance: Materials tested against specified chemicals must meet minimum classes for transit time and permeability rate.
• Mechanical properties: Such as abrasion resistance, tear strength, tensile strength, puncture resistance, and seam strength.
• Ergonomics and practical performance: Movement tests (such as walking, kneeling, climbing stairs) to ensure the suit allows reasonable freedom of movement without compromising protection.
• Optional features: Flame resistance (limited), cold resistance, etc.

The areas of application of this standard are:

• Chemical industry maintenance and spill response.
• Hazardous waste management
• Tank cleaning / entry into confined spaces with toxic gases.
• Emergency services (fire department, hazardous materials teams, usually also certified according to EN 943-2 standard)
• Pharmaceutical and petrochemical industries
• The standard “EN 943-2 Part 2: Performance requirements for Type 1 (gas-tight) chemical protective suits for emergency response teams” describes the minimum requirements, test methods, marking, and manufacturer-provided information for ventilated and non-ventilated gas-tight chemical protective suits designed for use by emergency response teams.

This standard specifies full-body personal protective clothing to be worn to provide protection against chemicals in solid, liquid, and gaseous states, including liquid and solid aerosols. Chemicals with severe air sensitivity, such as reagents, unstable explosives, and cryogenic liquids, are not considered as protection against these additional hazards is outside the scope of this standard.

This standard does not specify minimum criteria for protection against radiological, fire, heat, and explosive hazards, or non-chemical hazards such as infectious agents. Such equipment is not designed for complete submersion in liquids.

Seams, joints, and assemblies attaching accessories are covered by this standard. Performance criteria for accessories, gloves, boots, or respiratory protective equipment are given in other standards. Particle protection is limited to the physical penetration of particles only.

Type 1a and Type 1b emergency response teams must use gas-tight chemical protective suits that meet the requirements of EN 943-1, but with minimum chemical permeability as specified in that standard. Additional or restrictive requirements of that standard must also be met.

The performance class requirements given in this standard are minimum performance requirements.

The EN 943-2 standard targets protective clothing used in the following areas:

• Fire and hazardous materials teams
• Civil defense / emergency services
• Industrial emergency response teams
• First responders who deal with chemical spills, releases, or accidents.

These scenarios involve higher mechanical stresses than routine industrial work (debris, sharp objects, rough surfaces, climbing, dragging victims, tool use), dynamic movement, and potentially more aggressive or unfamiliar chemical environments.

While EN 943-1 standard protective clothing is suitable for planned maintenance, confined space entry, or controlled exposures, EN 943-2 standard protective clothing is designed for unpredictable, high-risk emergency responses.

Coveralls certified according to the EN 943-2 standard still use the same respiratory device classifications:

• Type 1a emergency teams: SCBA worn inside the coverall.
• Type 1b emergency teams: SCBA (Surface-mounted protective suit) worn on the outside of the suit (most commonly used in emergencies)
• Type 1c emergency teams: Positive pressure system supplied via overhead line.

Most emergency suits are Type 1b emergency gear.

The basic performance requirements of this standard (additions to the EN 943-1 standard) are as follows:

• Internal leakage: Same rigorous gas tightness test (pressure drop or equivalent)
• Chemical permeability: Materials and seams tested in higher performance classes against emergency-related chemicals.
• Mechanical properties: Significantly elevated thresholds (e.g., higher wear cycles, tear strength, puncture energy)
• Practical performance: Enhanced and more intense motion/task simulations.
• Overall garment integrity after misuse: Some tests simulate wear and tear before final leakage/permeability checks.

The areas of application of this standard are:

• Chemical industry maintenance and spill response.
• Hazardous waste management
• Tank cleaning / entry into confined spaces with toxic gases.
• Emergency services (fire department, hazardous materials teams, usually also certified according to EN 943-2 standard)
• Pharmaceutical and petrochemical industries

For many years, our organization, with its competent and experienced staff, has been understanding the needs of its clients, providing the advanced testing services they require, and assisting them in the establishment, implementation, and improvement of management systems. Within this framework, we also provide testing services in accordance with EN 943 standards.