Overview
Standard Reference: SIST EN ISO 11610:2023
Title: Protective clothing - Vocabulary (ISO 11610:2023)
SIST EN ISO 11610:2023 provides a comprehensive, harmonized vocabulary for protective clothing and body-worn protective equipment (including hand/arm protection and lifejackets). Its purpose is to supply clear, unambiguous terms and definitions to support standardization, test methods, product specifications, procurement, certification and regulatory work. The document supersedes CEN ISO/TR 11610:2004 and is published in the official ISO languages (English, French) with German text provided for information by DIN.
Key topics and technical scope
This vocabulary standard organizes terminology across the full lifecycle and hazard spectrum of protective clothing. Major topic areas include:
- General terms and textile/clothing definitions - basic clothing, material and finishing vocabulary.
- Body dimensions and ergonomics - terms for sizing, fit and anthropometry.
- Components, materials and design - zips, seams, membranes, coatings and construction terminology.
- Product types and protection classes - garment categories and intended use descriptors.
- Test methods, attributes and ageing - standardized terms for testing, performance attributes and durability.
- Hazard-specific vocabularies - heat and flame, chemical, mechanical, infective agents, foul weather/cold, diving, low-visibility, electrostatic and electrical arc hazards.
- Selection, Use, Care and Maintenance (SUCAM) - terms supporting correct PPE lifecycle management.
- Electronics - vocabulary for electronic components integrated into protective clothing.
Note: ISO 11610 is a vocabulary reference - it defines terms rather than prescribing performance limits. It supports consistent language across standards and test documents.
Practical applications
- Drafting and harmonizing new PPE standards and test methods with consistent terminology.
- Creating clear procurement specifications and product datasheets.
- Supporting conformity assessment, certification and test-laboratory reporting.
- Training, technical documentation and labeling to reduce ambiguity in use and maintenance instructions.
- Facilitating international and European regulatory alignment (CEN/CENELEC adoption/implementation).
Who should use this standard
- Standards developers (CEN/TC 162, ISO/TC 94/SC 13 working groups)
- PPE manufacturers and product designers
- Test laboratories and certification bodies
- Occupational health & safety professionals and procurers
- Regulators and compliance officers
Related standards
- Supersedes: CEN ISO/TR 11610:2004
- Designed to be used alongside hazard- or product-specific standards (EN/ISO standards for flame, chemical, mechanical protection, etc.) to ensure consistent terminology across documents.
Keywords: ISO 11610:2023, protective clothing vocabulary, PPE terminology, protective equipment standards, CEN/TC 162, ISO/TC 94/SC 13, SUCAM.
