EN 397 — Standard

About the Standard

Scope title: industrial safety helmets

EN 397 is a standard published by European Standard (EN) (EN). Standards published by the European standardisation organisations and adopted as national standards in member states; they are used as harmonised standards under EU directives.

See the other 194 codes from EN

Coverage areas

Tekstil Testleri — What Does This Testing Field Cover?

The section below describes the field that code EN 397 belongs to; it is not the text of the standard or the regime itself. The scope title of the code is given above, and technical requirements are shared at the quotation stage.

Textile testing answers two questions separately: does the fabric hold up physically over its service life, and does it carry any substance restricted for human health? These two axes require different laboratory infrastructure and different decision mechanisms.

On the physical side, breaking and tear strength, abrasion resistance, pilling, dimensional change, colour fastness and water and oil repellency are measured. Most of these tests depend on the USE SCENARIO: Martindale abrasion cycles are decisive for an upholstery fabric, while dimensional change in washing and colour fastness come to the fore for a shirting fabric. The same fabric goes through a different test set for a different use.

Colour fastness is a body of work of its own in this field and is not a single test. The fastness of the same fabric to light, washing, rubbing, perspiration, saliva, chlorinated water and ironing is measured separately; each represents a different moment of use. Results are rated from 1 to 5 on the grey scale and the specification gives a separate minimum rating for each agent.

On the chemical side, aromatic amines released from azo dyes, formaldehyde, heavy metals, phthalates, short-chain chlorinated paraffins, alkylphenols and PFAS compounds are screened. These items come from REACH restrictions, brand restricted substance lists (RSL) and voluntary schemes such as OEKO-TEX. Brand lists are often stricter than legislation; the target customer is decisive.

There is NO CE marking on consumer textiles. The obligation has three legs: fibre composition and care labelling, compliance with chemical restrictions, and general product safety. Textiles claiming a protective function (workwear, flame-resistant clothing, high-visibility clothing) fall under personal protective equipment legislation, where CE is mandatory — this distinction is commercially critical.

Verifying the label declaration is the most routine work in the field. Quantitative fibre analysis confirms the blend ratio stated on the label; tolerance ranges are defined in legislation. An incorrect fibre declaration both misleads the consumer and affects customs classification.

Sustainability claims have added a new body of work to the field in recent years: verification of recycled content (GRS, RCS), organic content (GOTS), restriction of harmful chemicals and water/energy footprint declarations. These claims now require auditable evidence.

Method groups in this field

Strength and durability
Strip and grab breaking strength, tearing by the Elmendorf and tongue methods, seam strength, bursting strength.
Abrasion and surface
Martindale and rotary platform abrasion, pilling and fuzzing, fabric mass and thread density measurements.
Dimensional stability
Dimensional change in washing and drying, wrinkling behaviour, appearance after ironing.
Colour fastness
Fastness to light (xenon), washing, rubbing, perspiration, saliva, water and chlorinated water; rating on the grey scale.
Functional properties
Water repellency (spray test), oil repellency, waterproofness, air permeability, effectiveness of antibacterial finishes, UV protection factor.
Chemical analyses
Aromatic amines from azo dyes, formaldehyde, pH, heavy metals, phthalates, chlorinated phenols, PFAS and alkylphenols.

Commonly confused in this field

A brand restricted substance list (RSL) may be stricter than legislation; REACH compliance does not mean compliance with the customer specification.
Textiles claiming a protective function fall under PPE legislation and require CE; an ordinary textile test report does not satisfy that file.
Colour fastness is not a single number; a rating cannot be interpreted without stating which agent it relates to.
A result obtained for a fabric does not cover the whole garment made from it; lining, sewing thread, print and trims are assessed separately.
Performance claims after washing are valid together with the stated number of wash cycles; the word "permanent" on its own is not verifiable.

Which decisions these results support

Compliance with the brand restricted substance list (RSL)
Verification of label declarations: fibre composition and care instructions
Determining the performance class of upholstery and technical textiles
Pre-import shipment inspection and lot acceptance
Supporting sustainability and recycled content claims

Structure of the Code

Published by: EN
Serial number: 397
Part: without partition

Codes in the library without release year is kept. The current version changes over time; If the year is specified in your specification, that version is taken as basis, if not specified, the most current version is applied.

Scope

Textile Testing

Related Tests and Services

A separate test page based on this code has not yet been released. The code falls within the scope of the following test families.

Textile Testing

Technical Requirements

Standard texts are copyright of the relevant organization; test condition, sample and acceptance criteria cannot be fitted here.

Technical requirements specific to your product, once we clarify the scope At offer stage shared in writing.

Relevant Product Groups and Legislation

This code is included in the standard tag of the product pages below.

These product pages carry notes for the following markets: European Union, United Kingdom, USA, Saudi Arabia, China. Whether the standard is mandatory in the relevant market varies depending on the product group and the applicable legislation.

Regulations published with this code on the same product pages:

2014/35/EULVDThe Low Voltage Directive. Governs the electrical safety of equipment operating in the 50–1000 V AC range; the manufacturer makes the declaration, with no notified body involvement.
2014/30/EUEMCThe Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive. Covers both the interference a device emits into its environment (emission) and its resistance to interference from outside (immunity).
(AB) 206/2012EcodesignEcodesign requirements for air conditioners and comfort fans. Sets minimum thresholds and a declaration obligation for seasonal efficiency and sound power level.
(AB) 626/2011Energy LabelEnergy labelling for air conditioners. The class on the label is based on measurement and is one of the first points examined in market surveillance.
(EU) 2024/573F-GasThe Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases Regulation. The refrigerant type and its GWP value directly affect the product's placement on the market and labelling obligation.
2011/65/EURoHSRestriction of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment; an integral part of the CE declaration.
2000/14/ATOutdoor NoiseNoise emitted into the environment by outdoor equipment. Whether the outdoor unit falls within scope is assessed according to product type.
(AB) 2019/2021EcodesignEcodesign requirements for electronic displays. Includes on-mode power consumption, standby mode and repairability requirements.
(AB) 2019/2013Energy LabelEnergy labelling for electronic displays. Requires a separate class declaration for SDR and HDR modes and EPREL registration.
2014/53/EUREDThe Radio Equipment Directive. For a product with a radio interface, spectrum, EMC and electrical safety are assessed together; the 3.3(d)(e)(f) cybersecurity articles also apply.
2012/19/ABWEEEWaste electrical and electronic equipment. Requires product marking and registration with the collection system.
(AB) 2019/2020EcodesignEcodesign requirements for light sources. Covers efficiency, colour consistency, switching-cycle durability and product-information requirements.
(AB) 2019/2015Energy LabelEnergy labelling for light sources. An A–G class and EPREL registration are mandatory.
(EC) 1907/2006REACHRegistration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals. Creates a notification obligation for SVHC substances in the product's content.
(AB) 2019/1782Ecodesign (external power supplies)Ecodesign requirements for external power supplies. Sets minimum thresholds for loaded efficiency and no-load power consumption.
(AB) 2022/2380Common Charging InterfaceA common charging solution for certain radio equipment. Requires a USB-C interface and declaration of charging information on the label.
(EU) 2023/1542Batteries RegulationSustainability, safety and transparency for batteries. Carbon footprint declaration, recycled content and the battery passport apply on a staged timetable.
UN Manual of Tests and CriteriaUN 38.3Transport safety of lithium cells and batteries. The T1–T8 test series is applied in the defined order; shipment cannot proceed without a report.
(EU) 2023/988GPSRThe General Product Safety Regulation. Establishes a safety framework for aspects not covered by sector-specific legislation.
(EU) 2024/2847CRAThe Cyber Resilience Act. Cybersecurity requirements for products with digital elements; reporting from 11 September 2026, full application from 11 December 2027.
(AB) 1275/2008Ecodesign (networked standby)Minimum requirements for standby and off-mode power consumption in networked equipment.
(EU) 2022/2555NIS2 (indirect)Cybersecurity risk management for essential and important entities; a network-equipment supplier is affected through its customers' obligations.
(EU) 2016/679GDPR (indirect)Devices that process personal data incur a data-protection-by-design obligation.
(AB) 2023/1670Ecodesign (smartphones)Ecodesign requirements for smartphones and tablets. Sets requirements for durability, repairability, spare parts and software-update duration.
(AB) 2023/1669Energy Label (smartphones)Energy labelling for smartphones and tablets; battery life, drop resistance and a repair score are declared on the label.
(AB) 617/2013Ecodesign (computers)Ecodesign requirements for computers and servers. Includes requirements for annual energy consumption, standby mode and power management.
(AB) 2023/1804Alternative Fuels InfrastructureThe Regulation on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure. Governs connector type, payment and data-sharing requirements at public charging points.
2006/42/ATMachinery DirectiveRisk assessment, essential health and safety requirements and a technical-file obligation.
(EU) 2023/1230Machinery RegulationReplaces 2006/42/EC, mandatory on 20 January 2027 with no further transition period.
2014/68/EUPEDThe Pressure Equipment Directive for pressurised parts; the category is determined by pressure and volume.
2014/34/ABATEXEquipment and protective systems used in explosive atmospheres. The category and conformity route are determined by zone classification.
(AB) 547/2012Ecodesign (water pumps)Ecodesign requirements for water pumps. Sets minimum efficiency index and product-information requirements.
(AB) 2019/1781Ecodesign (electric motors)Efficiency class requirements for electric motors and variable-speed drives.
(AT) 1935/2004Food Contact MaterialsGeneral requirements for equipment in contact with food; material conformity is required for valves in food lines.
(AB) 2020/2184Drinking Water Contact ProductsHygiene requirements for materials in contact with water under the Drinking Water Directive.
2014/29/ABSimple Pressure VesselsA separate directive for series-produced simple pressure vessels; its scope must be distinguished from the PED.
2010/35/ABTransportable Pressure EquipmentThe pi mark and periodic inspection regime for transportable pressure equipment.
2009/48/ECToy SafetyThe Toy Safety Directive. Regulates mechanical, physical, flammability, chemical and electrical safety requirements together; a technical file and safety assessment are mandatory.
EN 62115Electrical toysSafety for electric toys; applies to mains-connected or battery-powered toys.
(AT) 1907/2006 Annex XVII item 51-52Phthalate RestrictionRestriction of certain phthalates in toys and childcare articles.
(AB) 2023/1464Formaldehyde EmissionRestriction on formaldehyde emission from wood-based products (an amendment to REACH Annex XVII).
(EU) 2023/1115Wood and Forest ProductsThe Deforestation Regulation. A deforestation-free supply declaration for wood and derived products; 30 December 2026 for large operators.
(EU) 2024/3110Construction Products (fixed furniture)The Construction Products Regulation's scope is assessed for furniture permanently fixed to a building.
(AB) 1007/2011Textile LabellingTextile fibre names and labelling. Declaration of fibre composition and regulation of the label language.
(AT) 1907/2006 Annex XVII item 43Azo Dye RestrictionRestriction of certain azo dyes in textiles in contact with skin.
(AB) 2019/1021PFAS / PFOA RestrictionRestriction of PFOA and its derivatives under the Persistent Organic Pollutants Regulation.
(EU) 2016/425Personal Protective Equipment (overlap)The PPE Regulation's scope and category are determined for textiles with a protective function.
(AB) 10/2011Plastics in Food ContactPlastic materials in contact with food. The list of authorised substances, and overall and specific migration limits.
(AT) 2023/2006Good Manufacturing PracticeGood manufacturing practice (GMP) for food-contact materials.
(AB) 2025/40Packaging and Packaging WasteThe Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation. Recyclability, recycled-content and packaging-reduction obligations; replaces 94/62/EC.
(AB) 2022/1616Recycled PlasticRecycled plastic materials in contact with food.
(AB) 305/2011CPR (transition)Continues to apply during the transition period for product groups where a new harmonised standard has not been published.
EN 13501-1Reaction-to-Fire ClassificationReaction-to-fire class for construction products; a mandatory item of the declaration of performance.
(AT) 178/2002General Food LawThe general principles of food law, traceability and food safety responsibility.
(AT) 852/2004Food HygieneHygiene rules for food businesses and the obligation for a HACCP-based system.
(AB) 1169/2011Food Information to ConsumersFood labelling; nutrition declaration, allergen information and origin information.
(AB) 2023/915ContaminantsMaximum levels of contaminants in food.
(AT) 396/2005Pesticide residuesMaximum residue limits in food of plant and animal origin.
(AT) 2073/2005Microbiological CriteriaMicrobiological criteria for foodstuffs.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is this standard mandatory for my product?

Whether it is mandatory depends on the product group, the target market and the applicable legislation. Once you tell us your product and market, we clarify in writing whether this standard is required.

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