EN 13034 – Protective clothing against liquid chemicals (Type 6 and PB [6])
In short: EN 13034 covers protective clothing against liquid chemicals – but with a clearly limited scope. Type 6 is the lowest performance level of chemical protection and is intended for situations in which light spray, aerosols or small splashes are to be expected and the wearer has time to react. It is not made for work in direct contact with chemicals.
This clothing is marked with the pictogram and the standard designation EN 13034 Type 6.
What Type 6 does
The standard specifies minimum requirements for chemical protective clothing offering limited protective performance – expressly including reusable clothing. It offers limited protection against liquid aerosols, sprays and light splashes. It is intended for situations in which the risk of injury is assessed as low – because the wearer notices contamination in good time and can take appropriate action, i.e. take off the clothing or leave the area.
Repellency and penetration are tested against reference chemicals – the standard requires proof for at least one; which ones were tested is stated by the manufacturer in the information for use. Alongside full-body protection there is Type PB[6] for partial-body protection – aprons or sleeve protectors with the same material requirements, but without the whole-suit spray test.
And what Type 6 does not do
And a second limitation that is often overlooked: special chemicals must be tested in advance. Testing is carried out against a defined set of standard chemicals. Whether your specific substance is among them cannot be told from the number of the standard alone. For unusual media, the material test belongs before procurement, not after it.
Why this is the only protection that is finite
Our multi-standard fabrics are inherently protective: flame protection, arc flash protection and electrostatic properties are in the fibre itself and are retained over the entire service life. For chemical protection, this is expressly not the case.
In practice this means: for garments that were also procured because of EN 13034, it is not the visual condition that determines when to replace them, but the number of wash cycles. Anyone working with a textile service should put that in the contract – the clothing still looks good long after the liquid-repellent finish has worn off. More on washing procedures on the page about industrial laundering to EN ISO 15797.
What matters in practice
The beading effect is the early warning system
As long as liquid beads off the fabric, the finish is intact. As soon as the material soaks it up and dark patches remain, the protection is gone – even if the garment otherwise looks flawless. This test costs nothing and can be done at any issuing point.
Reproof only according to the manufacturer's instructions
The standard expressly provides for renewal of the repellent finish – according to the instructions of the manufacturer, who must also state when it needs to be repeated. Reproofing on your own initiative with any product, by contrast, does not ensure the tested protection. Follow the care instructions for the garment in question.
Not included in every line
In our range, chemical protection is included as standard in the KÜBLER PROTECTIQ Klassik line and in KÜBLER SAFETY X. In the HIGH VIS styles it is not standard, but available on request. Anyone who needs high visibility and chemical protection together should say so expressly when enquiring.
Collections with chemical protection
22 styles from our collections are certified to EN 13034 Type 6 – jackets, trousers and bib and brace trousers, all as part of a multi-standard specification.
Frequently asked questions
Is Type 6 enough for handling acids?
Only with light spray or small splashes and when there is time to take off the clothing. Type 6 is the lowest level of chemical protection. Immersion, pressurised jets or prolonged contact require higher types. With special chemicals, a material test in advance is part of the process.
How long does the chemical protection last?
Unlike flame protection, it is based on a finish applied to the surface and not on a property of the fibre. It decreases with the number of wash cycles. A rule of thumb for practice: as long as liquid beads off, the finish is intact – if the material soaks it up, the protection is gone.
Can I reproof the clothing?
This can often bring back the beading effect, but not the tested protection to EN 13034. For conformity with the standard, it is the tested condition that counts.
What is the difference between Type 6 and PB[6]?
Type 6 denotes full-body protection, PB[6] partial-body protection such as aprons or sleeve protectors. The material requirements are the same; for partial-body protection the whole-suit spray test does not apply.
Do all your multi-standard garments have chemical protection?
No. It is included as standard in the KÜBLER PROTECTIQ Klassik line and in KÜBLER SAFETY X, but not in the HIGH VIS styles – there it is available on request. Anyone who needs high visibility and chemical protection together should say so when enquiring.
Advice on chemical protection
Type 6 offers limited protection –
and not for an unlimited time.
We will work out with you whether Type 6 is sufficient for your substances, which chemicals need to be tested in advance and how often the finish should be renewed.
Last updated: July 2026