Summary (as of 27.10.2026)
Weather protection clothing EN 343 is being replaced by EN ISO 24232 in the 2019 edition (according to DIN Media since 2026-05). Two values are decisive: the water penetration resistance (Class 1 to 4, higher is denser) and the water vapour penetration resistance Ret (Class 1 to 4, lower is more breathable). Cold protection clothing is regulated by EN 342 with thermal insulation, air permeability and optional water penetration. The risk assessment determines which combination a company needs.
Anyone working outdoors needs more than a thick jacket in autumn and winter. Wetness and cold impair concentration, mobility and health, and in the end, the clothing determines how long employees can work safely outside. In the range you will find weather and cold protection as well as rainwear. But what do the markings on the label reveal?
This guide explains using tables how to read weather protection clothing according to EN 343 and the new EN ISO 24232, what EN 342 requires for cold protection and how companies select the right combination.
Which standards apply to weather protection clothing?
There are two separate standards for weather protection. Rain, snow, fog and ground moisture are covered by the rainwear standard, cold by EN 342. Both assess materials and finished garments.
| Protection against | Standard | Assessed |
|---|---|---|
| Rain, snow, fog, ground moisture | EN ISO 24232 (previously EN 343:2019) | Water penetration resistance and water vapour penetration resistance, 4 classes each |
| Cold | EN 342:2017 | Thermal insulation, air permeability (Class 1 to 3), optional water penetration (Class 1 to 2) |
| Poor visibility | High visibility standard (separate post) | Visibility through fluorescence and reflective strips, see our post on high visibility clothing |
Important regarding the standard status: According to DIN Media, DIN EN 343:2019-06 has been withdrawn and replaced by DIN EN ISO 24232:2026-05 (EN ISO 24232:2025, Protective clothing – Protection against rain). According to manufacturer specifications (Kübler), the performance classes remain unchanged. Many garments therefore still state EN 343, where the classification into four classes applies. According to DIN Media, EN 342:2017 is current. More on markings from A to Z is explained in the PPE lexicon.
Water column: What does water penetration resistance mean?
The water penetration resistance (Wp) indicates how much water pressure the material and seams can withstand before water penetrates. It is given in Pascals, 1,000 Pascals correspond to approximately 100 mm water column. There are four classes, Class 4 is the highest (manufacturer specifications for EN 343:2019):
| Class | Requirement Wp | Corresponds to approximately | Test |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | at least 8,000 Pa | 800 mm water column | Material before treatment |
| 2 | at least 8,000 Pa | 800 mm water column | Material after treatment |
| 3 | at least 13,000 Pa | 1,300 mm water column | Material after treatment |
| 4 | at least 20,000 Pa | 2,000 mm water column | Material after treatment |
The treatment (for example washing) is important: Classes 2 to 4 must demonstrate their tightness after treatment, Class 1 only in its new condition. On labels and in shops you often find higher numbers such as 10,000 or 20,000 mm water column. These are manufacturer specifications and not standard classes, therefore check the class according to the standard on the pictogram.
Ret value: What does breathability mean?
The water vapour penetration resistance Ret describes how well sweat escapes to the outside in the form of water vapour. Unlike the water column, the following applies here: The lower the Ret value, the more breathable the material. This is crucial for physical work, because anyone who sweats under a tight jacket will become damp and cool down.
| Class | Ret in m²Pa/W | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | over 40 | low breathability |
| 2 | over 25 to 40 | medium breathability |
| 3 | over 15 to 25 | good breathability |
| 4 | up to 15 | very good breathability |
On the pictogram, both classes are listed one below the other: tightness at the top, breathability at the bottom. The specification "3 / 1" therefore means Class 3 for water penetration and Class 1 for the Ret value. Before 2019, there were only three classes, so older clothing is therefore not directly comparable.
Cold protection according to EN 342: What matters?
EN 342 tests clothing systems and garments against cold. According to manufacturer specifications (Tranemo), three properties are decisive:
- Thermal insulation: The value is given in m²K/W, the higher, the better the system insulates.
- Air permeability: Class 1 to 3, Class 3 lets the least wind through.
- Water penetration (optional): Class 1 or 2, only if the manufacturer has it tested.
Cold protection is rarely achieved by a single garment alone. Our classification: A combination of functional underwear, a warming midlayer and a weather-resistant outer layer can be adapted to temperature and activity. For the hands, there are cold protection gloves, whose marking our post Winter gloves for work explains.
Which weather protection clothing is suitable for which work?
The following assignment is our classification based on the standard values. It does not replace the risk assessment.
| Use | Main exposure | What to pay attention to |
|---|---|---|
| Construction site, road construction | Continuous rain, visibility | high water tightness, combine with high visibility |
| Gardening and landscaping | Rain with high activity | good breathability (low Ret value) |
| Warehouse and outdoor logistics | Cold, wind | Cold protection according to EN 342, low air permeability |
| Winter service | Wetness, cold, darkness | waterproof, warm and highly visible |
You will find suitable ranges for road construction and gardening and landscaping. Anyone who needs to combine visibility and weather protection will find high visibility weather protection. Clothing for poor visibility is marked by the high visibility standard, how that works is explained in our post High visibility clothing: Class 1, 2 or 3 according to EN ISO 20471.
Weather protection clothing EN 343: Common mistakes when buying
- Only pay attention to the water column: High water tightness helps little if the Ret value is high. Anyone who sweats heavily will become damp under tight clothing and cool down.
- Confusing manufacturer values with standard classes: Values such as 10,000 mm water column are not a class according to the standard. The pictogram with the two classes is decisive.
- Equating cold protection and rainwear: A waterproof jacket according to EN 343 does not automatically keep you warm. For cold, EN 342 applies with its own values for thermal insulation and air permeability.
- Forgetting visibility: On roads and construction sites, weather protection alone is not enough, high visibility is also required here.
- Comparing older clothing: Before 2019, there were only three classes, older labels are not directly comparable with new classes.
Wear, care for and replace correctly
- Observe the manufacturer's care instructions: Washing, waterproofing and drying affect the water tightness.
- Regularly check seams, zippers and hoods for damage, because water penetrates there first.
- Wear several thin layers instead of one very thick layer in cold weather, this allows for better heat regulation.
- Replace clothing when coatings peel off, seams become leaky or the material shows cracks.
- Instruct employees on how to correctly combine and care for weather protection clothing.
Checklist for procuring weather protection clothing
- Hazard defined according to the risk assessment (continuous rain, cold, wind, visibility)
- Standard checked on the garment (EN ISO 24232 or EN 343 as well as EN 342)
- Class for water tightness and breathability chosen suitable for the activity
- Thermal insulation and air permeability according to EN 342 observed for cold
- High visibility combined for road and track work
- Fit for multi-layer systems tested
- Manufacturer's care and replacement instructions observed
Weather protection clothing at Technigro
At Technigro you will find weather protection clothing for companies, suitable for jackets and work trousers. Companies order with the B2B program via a company account. The post Choosing PPE correctly: what lies behind the standards gives an overview of standards and categories.
Anyone who understands weather protection clothing EN 343 and EN ISO 24232 selects water tightness, breathability and cold protection specifically according to the work.
Note: This post informs generally (as of 27.10.2026). Which protective equipment is required is determined by the risk assessment of your company. In case of doubt, clarify the selection with your occupational safety specialist.
Sources
- DIN Media: DIN EN ISO 24232:2026-05, Protective clothing – Protection against rain (EN ISO 24232:2025), replaces DIN EN 343:2019-06. Retrieved on 27.10.2026.
- DIN Media: DIN EN 343:2019-06, Status withdrawn, replaced by DIN EN ISO 24232:2026-05. Retrieved on 27.10.2026.
- iTeh Standards: EN ISO 24232:2025, Publication October 2025, replaces EN 343:2019. Retrieved on 27.10.2026.
- DIN: Search result for EN 342:2017 (DIN edition 2018-01), Status current. Retrieved on 27.10.2026.
- Kübler: Protective standards, EN 343 and successor standard EN ISO 24232 (manufacturer information). Accessed on 27 October 2026.
- Planam: EN 343 protective clothing against rain, classes for water penetration and RET (manufacturer information). Accessed on 27 October 2026.
- Tranemo Workwear: EN 342 and EN 343, weather protection (manufacturer information). Accessed on 27 October 2026.
