Providing appropriate protection against bad weather is one of the basic functions of protective work clothes, as a significant number of workers work partly or completely outdoors. Both the directives of the European Union and the legal regulations issued on the basis of these companies make employers obliged in this regard.

The EN 343 standard, a European standard, is a technical norm that sets standards for products or materials that provide protection against rain. If the manufacturing companies comply with this standard, it is easier to put the CE mark on the products and materials and sell them on the European Union markets. Consumers can objectively compare products and materials, taking into account the requirements of the standard in question. In addition to this standard CE marking, it also provides information on characteristics and performance classes of products and materials.

Employee health and safety is an important issue. If an employee has to work in rain or bad weather conditions, he or she must wear appropriate protective clothing. The requirements of rainproof clothing are contained in the relevant legal regulations. Water resistance and water vapor permeability are essential requirements for rainproof clothing. Waterproofing relates to water from outside of protective clothing materials, for example, rain, fog or snow. Water vapor permeability is generally related to the breathability of the garment. It refers to the physical capacity of protective clothing that allows factors such as water vapor or sweat to escape from the inside out.

Specific laboratories also test the properties of protective clothing that provides protection against rain. The standard used in these tests is:

• TS EN 343 + A1 Protective clothing - Rain protection

This standard covers materials used in the manufacture of clothing that protects against moisture from rain, snow and rain, fog and ground, as well as the rules and test methods applied to joints.