For years, EN 343 has been the European reference for knowing whether a garment protects against rain, but a new international standard has been published to replace it: EN ISO 24232:2025. It keeps the same title, “Protective clothing. Protection against rain”.
The change affects everyone. Manufacturers and distributors, because new certifications and renewals will have to be carried out under the new standard. And health and safety officers, because they will have to read “ISO 24232” where they used to read “EN 343”. Otherwise, a period begins in which both standards coexist on the same market.
What does it mean for those who wear or distribute the garment?
- End user: what matters does not change and there is no leap in performance. They can keep using garments certified to EN 343, which remain covered by their certificate under Regulation (EU) 2016/425.
- Distributors: nothing changes either. Stock already in the commercial channel remains covered by its corresponding certificates.
- Manufacturers: will have to recertify their models to the new standard as their current certificates expire.
Don't worry. Don't let anyone worry you
In short, a period of coexistence begins in which, little by little, we will see some labels disappear and others appear on the same garments. No need to worry. These changes are normal and cyclical, and respond to the need to update regulations, requirements, laboratory tests and protocols.
It is reassuring to know that, in this case, we are only dealing with drops of water.
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