Australian standard
ISO 13688: general requirements for protective clothing
ISO publishes ISO 13688 covering general requirements for protective clothing, including ergonomics, innocuousness, size designation, ageing, compatibility and marking. Protective apparel listings cite it as the base standard alongside the designation for the specific hazard.
What is ISO 13688?
ISO 13688 is the international standard for the general requirements of protective clothing, published by ISO. It covers the basics that apply to any protective garment, such as sizing, marking, ageing and compatibility, and listings name it alongside the standard for the specific hazard the garment protects against.
ISO 13688 is the international standard that sets the general requirements every piece of protective clothing must meet, such as sizing, marking, ageing and the requirement that the garment itself does no harm.
Which products does it apply to?
1 guides on this hub cite ISO 13688, across ppe and protective equipment, workwear, protective apparel, respiratory protection, overalls and coveralls.
| Marking on the listing | What it indicates | How it appears in these guides |
|---|---|---|
| ISO 13688 | Named as the base standard | Appears with a hazard specific designation |
| EN ISO 13688 | The European adoption | Some listings use this form |
Guides that cite ISO 13688
Frequently asked questions
Does ISO 13688 mean a garment is protective?
Not on its own. ISO 13688 sets the general requirements that apply to protective clothing, such as sizing and marking. The protection against a specific hazard is covered by another standard, so look for that second designation on the listing.
Why does a coverall name several standards at once?
Because each one covers a different property. A disposable coverall listing may name a general requirements standard, one or more type designations for particle or splash protection, and an electrostatic standard. Work through each designation on the listing and check it against the hazard you are protecting against.
Does the sizing part actually matter?
Yes. Protective clothing works only if it fits, and a garment that is too tight can tear at the seams while one that is too loose can catch. Size designation and marking sit inside the general requirements for exactly that reason.
What this page is not
This page explains how ISO 13688 is used in product listings. It is not the standard, and it does not reproduce its text. Compliance decisions should reference the published standard and your own workplace risk assessment.
- ISO, the International Organization for Standardization, ISO 13688
- The product listings on donerightsafety.com.au that name this designation