EN 13034

Limited protection against liquid chemicals

Requirements and test methods for Type 6 chemical protective clothing — suits offering limited protection against light splashes, sprays and small liquid droplets, for one-off or multiple use. Accessories that are not an integral part of the suit, such as gloves and boots, are covered by their own product standards.

Fabrics with this certificate

ScopeLiquid chemical splash & spray

ExcludesFull immersion · Gas-tight use

Suit typeType 6

UseSingle or multiple wear

The contents of this standard

The fabric is tested in various ways to determine its resistance to chemical penetration and its mechanical strength. Four challenge liquids — sulfuric acid 30% (H₂SO₄), sodium hydroxide 10% (NaOH), o-xylene and butan-1-ol — are applied to a fabric sample. The quantities of liquid that drip off (repellency) and that soak through (penetration) are measured and must fall within the tolerances set in the standard.

Different tests, codes

Two test groups covering barrier performance and fabric strength.

Property · classes

Test setup & description

Test method

Repellency & penetration

Cl.1–3Repellency index, per liquid

Cl.1–3Penetration index, per liquid

Each of the four challenge liquids is sprayed onto an inclined fabric sample. The proportion that runs off is scored as the repellency index; the proportion that soaks through to the collector behind the fabric is scored as the penetration index. Both are rated on a scale of Class 1 to Class 3, with a higher class indicating better performance.

ISO 6530

Mechanical strength

PassTensile & seam strength

The fabric and its seams must withstand the tensile forces of normal handling and wear. XM Textiles fabrics intended for Type 6 use are checked for tensile and seam strength alongside the chemical barrier tests.

ISO 13934-1

The requirements set in this standard

A finished Type 6 suit is also whole-suit tested: inward leakage during a controlled spray test must not exceed a set proportion of the calibrated stain area recorded on an undergarment worn beneath the suit. EN 13034 covers limited splash and spray exposure only — it does not certify a garment for full immersion or gas-tight use. XM Textiles fabrics are tested and documented against the full repellency and penetration range so the right combination can be certified for your Type 6 garment.