In industrial workplaces across Europe, the GCC, and Asia, safety clothing isn’t just a requirement — it’s a lifeline. From welding sparks to chemical splashes to sudden heat exposure, workers face hazards every single day. That’s why global safety standards like EN ISO 11611, EN ISO 11612, and EN 13034 exist: to protect workers and ensure that companies invest in gear that truly works.
But there’s a problem.
Most buyers — even procurement heads and HSE managers — find these norms confusing.
Some sound similar, others overlap, and many companies still don’t fully understand which norm applies to which hazard.
This blog clears the confusion once and for all — in a crisp, practical way, without skipping the technical accuracy.
Let’s break them down.
🔶 Why Do Safety Norms Matter?
Before diving into each standard, here’s the bigger picture.
Safety norms ensure:
✔ Real protection against workplace hazards
✔ Compliance with EU and global regulations
✔ Reduced risk of worker injury
✔ Better durability & long-term cost savings
✔ Peace of mind for procurement and HSE teams
A garment that looks protective isn’t enough.
A garment that is tested, certified, and approved is what protects your workforce.
This is why Harbor365 ensures every FR, Multi-Norm, or Chemical-Resistant product follows the strictest testing procedures.
Now let’s decode the norms one by one.
🔷 EN ISO 11611 — Welding & Allied Processes
This is the welding standard, created to protect workers dealing with:
- Sparks
- Spatter
- Short flame contact
- Radiant heat
- Accidental metal splash
If your workers handle welding, cutting, grinding, brazing, or molten metal — EN 11611 is non-negotiable.
✔ What EN 11611 Protects You From
- Heat from molten metal
- Flame exposure
- Radiant heat from the welding arc
- Electric arc spatter
- Metal splash
- Accidental contact with hot surfaces
Workers in the GCC’s booming construction and oil & gas sectors often require this norm.
✔ EN 11611 Has Two Protection Levels
🔸 Class 1 (Low Level Welding)
- Minimal spatter
● Short-duration heat exposure
● Suitable for TIG welding, grinding, brazing
Best for: Light to moderate welding tasks
🔸 Class 2 (High Level Welding)
- Heavy spatter
● Higher radiant heat
● Better flame protection
Best for: Industrial welding, foundries, shipyards, steel fabrication
✔ Key Features of EN 11611 Workwear
A garment certified under EN 11611 MUST have:
- No metal parts exposed
- Flame-resistant fabric
- Anti-static options in some industries
- High strength against tearing & ignition
- Seam durability tested under heat
- No pockets or openings that allow sparks inside
Why Harbor365 excels:
Our welding coveralls use premium FR-treated or inherent FR fabrics with reinforced seams and spark-proof designs engineered for EU standards.
🔷 EN ISO 11612 — Heat & Flame Protection
This is the most recognized FR standard globally, widely used across:
✔ Oil & gas
✔ Electrical maintenance
✔ Metal & steel industries
✔ Chemical plants
✔ Furnaces & foundries
It protects against a wider range of heat exposures than EN 11611.
✔ What EN 11612 Protects Against
EN 11612 covers six types of heat hazards:
- A1/A2 — Flame spread
- B1/B2/B3 — Convective heat
- C1/C2/C3 — Radiant heat
- D1/D2/D3 — Molten aluminium splash
- E1/E2/E3 — Molten iron splash
- F1 — Contact heat
Each letter represents a test.
Each number (1, 2, 3) shows the protection level (3 being highest).
✔ Understanding the EN 11612 Markings
Here’s how a typical garment label looks:
EN ISO 11612 A1, B1, C1, F1
This means:
- A1 → Passed flame spread test
- B1 → Basic convective heat protection
- C1 → Basic radiant heat protection
- F1 → Basic contact heat protection
A garment with all codes (A–F) offers wide coverage.
✔ When to Use EN 11612 Workwear
Choose EN 11612 if there’s:
✔ Flame exposure
✔ Heat radiation
✔ Hot surfaces
✔ Risk of molten splash
✔ A chance of sudden flash fire
This is why oil & gas companies across Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar rely heavily on EN 11612-compliant coveralls.
Harbor365 specializes in inherent FR (never washes out) and treated FR fabrics — depending on client needs.
🔷 EN 13034 — Chemical Splash Protection (Type 6)
This standard is for workers exposed to light chemical splashes, not heavy chemical handling.
It’s often misunderstood.
So let’s make it simple.
✔ What EN 13034 Actually Covers
It protects against small, accidental, and low-volume chemical splashes, such as:
- Cleaning agents
- Industrial liquids
- Chemical mist
- Light acid or base splashes
- Contaminated aerosols
This is NOT for chemical suits used in heavy exposure zones.
It is perfect for moderate-risk environments.
✔ Types of EN 13034 Clothing
🔸 Type 6
Limited protection — suitable for light sprays, small splashes.
🔸 PB [6] (Partial Body Protection)
Aprons, jackets, trousers also fall under this category.
✔ Industries That Use EN 13034
- Chemical factories
- Pharmaceutical plants
- Paint processing units
- Food processing
- Laboratories
- Manufacturing units
- Waste management
It’s a must-have for workers moving around hazardous chemicals but not directly handling large quantities.
🔶 EN 11611 vs EN 11612 vs EN 13034 — Clear Comparison Table
| Standard | Protection Against | Risk Level | Best For |
| EN 11611 | Welding sparks, molten spatter, radiant heat | Medium to High | Welders, fabricators, shipyards |
| EN 11612 | Heat, flame, molten metal splash | High | Oil & gas, foundries, electrical, mechanical |
| EN 13034 | Light chemical splashes | Low to Medium | Pharma, manufacturing, labs |
🔶 How to Choose the Right Norm for Your Team
Choose EN 11611 if…
Your workers weld, cut, grind, or work around heavy sparks.
Choose EN 11612 if…
Your environment has heat, fire, molten metal, or random flame exposure.
Choose EN 13034 if…
Your workers handle chemicals in small quantities or in light-exposure areas.
🔶 Myths About These Norms (Common in GCC & Europe)
❌ Myth 1: EN 11611 and EN 11612 are the same.
Truth:
11611 is specifically for welding.
11612 covers broader flame and heat hazards.
❌ Myth 2: EN 13034 protects from heavy chemicals.
Truth:
Type 6 is for light chemical splashes, not full chemical immersion.
❌ Myth 3: Any FR garment automatically meets EN 11612.
Truth:
The garment must undergo certified laboratory testing — not just use FR fabric.
❌ Myth 4: Hi-Vis clothing automatically means safety.
Truth:
Hi-Vis has nothing to do with heat, flame, or chemicals unless the garment is Multi-Norm.
🔶 Why Harbor365 Leads in Certified Protective Workwear
Harbor365 brings a decade of experience in manufacturing EU- and GCC-compliant protective clothing.
Our strengths:
✔ Multi-Norm coveralls (11611 + 11612 + 13034 combined)
✔ Inherent FR fabrics for long-life heat protection
✔ Premium reflective tapes with high luminance
✔ Ergonomic, durable stitching for tough work conditions
✔ Custom designs based on industry & region
✔ Strict batch testing before dispatch
This is why our products are trusted by distributors, EPC contractors, and industrial buyers across Europe, KSA, UAE, Qatar, and the Netherlands.
🔶 Final Thoughts — Compliance Isn’t Optional. It’s Responsibility.
Every safety garment must be chosen with care.
Choosing the correct norm doesn’t just ensure compliance — it ensures people go home safe.
Whether your workers weld, operate in hot zones, or handle chemicals, understanding EN 11611, EN 11612, and EN 13034 gives you the power to make better decisions.
Harbor365 is always ready to help guide you through these choices with certified products tailored to your environment.
