SIST EN 352-1:2021
(Main)Hearing protectors - General requirements - Part 1: Earmuffs
Hearing protectors - General requirements - Part 1: Earmuffs
This European Standard specifies requirements for construction, design, performance, marking and user information for earmuffs.
In particular, it specifies the sound attenuation of the earmuffs, measured in accordance with EN ISO 4869-1.
This European Standard does not deal with earmuffs for attachment to a helmet or which are part of a helmet.
Ergonomic aspects are addressed by taking into account, within the requirements, the interaction between the wearer, the device and where possible the working environment in which the device is likely to be used (see Annex ZA and EN 458).
Gehörschützer - Allgemeine Anforderungen - Teil 1: Kapselgehörschützer
Dieses Dokument legt Anforderungen hinsichtlich Konstruktion, Gestaltung, Leistung, Kennzeichnung und Benutzerinformationen für Kapselgehörschützer fest.
Im Besonderen legt es die durch die Kapselgehörschützer geleistete Schalldämmung fest, gemessen in Übereinstimmung mit EN ISO 4869-1.
Dieses Dokument befasst sich nicht mit Kapselgehörschützer zur Befestigung an Kopfschutz und/oder Gesichtsschutz.
Ergonomische Aspekte werden innerhalb der Anforderungen durch die Einbeziehung der Wechselwirkung zwischen dem Gehörschutzbenutzer, dem Gerät und, wo möglich, der Arbeitsumgebung, in dem das Gerät wahrscheinlich benutzt wird, berücksichtigt (siehe Anhang ZA und EN 458).
Protecteurs individuels contre le bruit - Exigences générales - Partie 1: Serre-tête
Le présent document spécifie les exigences en matière de construction, de conception, de performances et de marquage des serre-tête ainsi que les informations destinées à l'utilisateur.
Il spécifie en particulier l'affaiblissement acoustique des serre-tête, mesuré conformément à l'EN ISO 4869-1.
Le présent document ne traite pas des serre-tête destinés à être montés sur des dispositifs de protection de la tête et/ou du visage.
Dans les exigences spécifiées, les exigences ergonomiques sont prises en compte, notamment l'interaction entre l'utilisateur, l'équipement et, si possible, l'environnement de travail dans lequel l'équipement est susceptible d'être utilisé (voir l'Annexe ZA et l'EN 458).
Varovala sluha - Splošne zahteve - 1. del: Naušniki
General Information
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
SIST EN 352-1:2021
01-april-2021
Nadomešča:
SIST EN 352-1:2003
Varovala sluha - Splošne zahteve - 1. del: Naušniki
Hearing protectors - General requirements - Part 1: Earmuffs
Gehörschützer - Allgemeine Anforderungen - Teil 1: Kapselgehörschützer
Protecteurs individuels contre le bruit - Exigences générales - Partie 1: Serre-tête
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 352-1:2020
ICS:
13.340.20 Varovalna oprema za glavo Head protective equipment
SIST EN 352-1:2021 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
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SIST EN 352-1:2021
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SIST EN 352-1:2021
EN 352-1
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
November 2020
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 13.340.20 Supersedes EN 352-1:2002
English Version
Hearing protectors - General requirements - Part 1:
Earmuffs
Protecteurs individuels contre le bruit - Exigences Gehörschützer - Allgemeine Anforderungen - Teil 1:
générales - Partie 1 : Serre-tête Kapselgehörschützer
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 24 February 2020.
CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2020 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 352-1:2020 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
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SIST EN 352-1:2021
EN 352-1:2020 (E)
Contents Page
European foreword . 3
Introduction . 4
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms, definitions, symbols and abbreviations . 6
3.1 Terms and definitions . 6
3.2 Symbols and abbreviations . 8
4 Requirements . 8
4.1 Sizing . 8
4.2 Materials and construction . 9
4.2.1 Materials . 9
4.2.2 Construction . 9
4.3 Performance . 9
4.3.1 General . 9
4.3.2 Sizing and adjustability . 9
4.3.3 Cup rotation . 10
4.3.4 Headband force . 10
4.3.5 Cushion pressure . 10
4.3.6 Resistance to damage when dropped . 11
4.3.7 Resistance to damage when dropped at low temperature (optional) . 11
4.3.8 Change in headband force (including optional water immersion with headband
under stress) . 11
4.3.9 Insertion loss . 11
4.3.10 Resistance to leakage . 11
4.3.11 Ignitability . 11
4.3.12 Minimum sound attenuation . 11
5 Marking . 12
6 User information . 12
Annex A (informative) Technical changes between this document and the previous edition
of this European Standard . 15
Annex ZA (informative) Relationship between this European Standard and the essential
requirements of Regulation (EU) 2016/425 aimed to be covered . 17
Bibliography . 19
2
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SIST EN 352-1:2021
EN 352-1:2020 (E)
European foreword
This document (EN 352-1:2020) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 159 “Hearing
protectors”, the secretariat of which is held by DIN.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by May 2021, and conflicting national standards shall be
withdrawn at the latest by November 2023.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document will supersede EN 352-1:2002.
The technical changes between this document and the previous edition of this European Standard are
listed in Annex A.
This document has been prepared under a standardization request given to CEN by the European
Commission and the European Free Trade Association, and supports essential requirements of
EU Regulation(s).
For relationship with EU Regulation(s), see informative Annex ZA, which is an integral part of this
document.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organisations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of
North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the
United Kingdom.
3
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SIST EN 352-1:2021
EN 352-1:2020 (E)
Introduction
This document sets requirements for personal hearing protection devices in relation to Regulation
(EU) 2016/425 on personal protective equipment.
The particular requirement in relation to the ability of hearing protectors to reduce noise below limit
levels is addressed in the standard by requiring the sound attenuation of the hearing protectors,
measured in accordance with EN ISO 4869-1, to be not less than a specified minimum. Further, by
requiring that the measured sound attenuation be declared, the selection of suitable hearing protectors
for individual circumstances can be undertaken according to established practice.
EN 352-1 is part of a family of standards describing product requirements for hearing protectors:
— EN 352-1, Hearing protectors — General requirements — Part 1: Earmuffs
— EN 352-2, Hearing protectors — General requirements — Part 2: Earplugs
— EN 352-3, Hearing protectors — General requirements — Part 3: Earmuffs attached to head
protection and/or face protection devices
— EN 352-4, Hearing protectors — Safety requirements — Part 4: Level-dependent earmuffs
— EN 352-5, Hearing protectors — Safety requirements — Part 5: Active noise reduction earmuffs
— EN 352-6, Hearing protectors — Safety requirements — Part 6: Earmuffs with safety-related audio
input
— EN 352-7, Hearing protectors — Safety requirements — Part 7: Level-dependent earplugs
— EN 352-8, Hearing protectors — Safety requirements — Part 8: Entertainment audio earmuffs
— EN 352-9, Hearing protectors — Safety requirements — Part 9: Earplugs with safety-related audio
input
— EN 352-10, Hearing protectors — Safety requirements — Part 10: Entertainment audio earplugs
Test methods for these requirements for all types of hearing protectors are described in the following
standards:
— EN 13819-1, Hearing protectors — Testing — Part 1: Physical test methods
— EN 13819-2, Hearing protectors — Testing — Part 2: Acoustic test methods
— EN 13819-3, Hearing protectors — Testing — Part 3: Supplementary acoustic test methods
An associated standard EN 458 covers selection, use, care and maintenance of hearing protection.
The parts of EN 352, other than parts 1, 2 and 3, cover the performance of functions additional to
passive hearing protection. Hearing protectors which incorporate one or more of these functions are
subject to the requirements and tests of each of the relevant parts of EN 352-4 to EN 352−10, in
addition to that of parts 1, 2 or 3, as appropriate.
The requirements of this document are concerned primarily with the physical and acoustic
performance of the earmuffs.
4
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SIST EN 352-1:2021
EN 352-1:2020 (E)
The sizing requirements enable the majority of the user population to be fitted satisfactorily by
“medium size range” earmuffs. Individuals with other sizes can be accommodated by ”small size range”
or “large size range” earmuffs, which are required to be accompanied by information regarding the
range of sizes which they are designed to fit.
The document also calls for the values of sound attenuation provided by the earmuffs (measured in
accordance with EN ISO 4869-1) in order to assist users in selecting the most appropriate model of
earmuffs for their needs. Minimum values of sound attenuation are also specified.
A maximum variability in insertion loss, measured objectively after a series of performance tests, is
specified. The objective test method only facilitates the making of comparative measurements, and the
insertion loss values obtained will differ from the measured sound attenuation values. The method to
determine the sound attenuation values, which requires the earmuffs to be tested whilst being worn by
human test subjects, is regarded as providing the reference test method for the measurement of the
acoustic performance of hearing protectors.
5
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SIST EN 352-1:2021
EN 352-1:2020 (E)
1 Scope
This document specifies requirements for construction, design, performance, marking and user
information for earmuffs.
In particular, it specifies requirements regarding the sound attenuation of the earmuffs, measured in
accordance with EN ISO 4869-1:2018.
The document does not apply to earmuffs outside the size range of headsizes as defined in this
document.
This document does not apply to earmuffs for attachment to head protection and/or face protection
devices.
Ergonomic aspects are addressed by taking into account, within the requirements, the interaction
between the user, the device and where possible the working environment in which the device is likely
to be used (see Annex ZA and EN 458).
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 13819-1:2020, Hearing protectors — Testing — Part 1: Physical test methods
EN 13819-2:2020, Hearing protectors — Testing — Part 2: Acoustic test methods
EN ISO 4869-2:2018, Acoustics — Hearing protectors — Part 2: Estimation of effective A-weighted sound
pressure levels when hearing protectors are worn (ISO 4869-2:2018)
3 Terms, definitions, symbols and abbreviations
3.1 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp
3.1.1
passive hearing protection
hearing protection that provides attenuation of external sounds not by means of electronics
Note 1 to entry: All hearing protectors have the characteristics of reducing noise by their design and type of
material used. Devices that have only this function are called passive hearing protection.
3.1.2
cup
hollow component which is mounted on the equivalent headband and to which a cushion and a liner are
usually fitted
6
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SIST EN 352-1:2021
EN 352-1:2020 (E)
3.1.3
cushion
deformable component, usually containing a foam plastic or fluid filling, fitted to the rim of the cup to
improve the comfort and fit of the earmuff on the head
3.1.4
liner
acoustically absorptive material contained within the cup which is intended to increase the attenuation
of the earmuffs at certain frequencies
3.1.5
headband
band, usually of metal and/or plastics, designed to enable the earmuff to fit securely around
the ears by exerting force against the cups and pressure through the cushions
3.1.6
earmuff
hearing protector consisting of circumaural cups pressed or held against the head around each pinna
3.1.6.1
over-the-head earmuff
earmuff designed to be worn with the headband passing over the top of the head
3.1.6.2
behind-the-head earmuff
earmuff designed to be worn with the headband passing behind the head
3.1.6.3
under-the-chin earmuff
earmuff designed to be worn with the headband passing under the chin
3.1.6.4
universal earmuff
earmuff designed to be worn as over-the-head, behind-the-head and under-the-chin earmuff
3.1.7
headstrap
flexible strap fitted to each cup, or to the headband close to the cup
Note 1 to entry: A headstrap is designed to support behind-the-head and under-the-chin earmuffs by passing
over, and resting on top of the head.
7
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SIST EN 352-1:2021
EN 352-1:2020 (E)
3.1.8
insertion loss
mean algebraic difference, in decibels, between the one-third-octave-band sound pressure level
measured by the microphone of the acoustic test fixture in a specified sound field under specified
conditions with the hearing protector absent and the sound pressure level with the hearing protector
present, with other conditions identical
[SOURCE: EN ISO 4869-3:2007, 3.5, modified — The words “mean”, “in a specified sound field under
specified conditions” and “with other conditions identical” have been added.]
3.1.9
sound attenuation
for a given test signal, the mean difference in decibels between the threshold of hearing with and
without the hearing protector in place
Note 1 to entry: Measured in accordance with EN ISO 4869-1:2018 for a panel of test subjects.
[SOURCE: EN ISO 4869-1:2018, 3.8, modified — The words “for a given test signal” have been moved to
beginning of definition, the words “mean”, “in decibels” have been added, the words “for a test subject”
have been deleted and Note 1 to entry has been added.]
3.1.10
hygiene cover
temporary, disposable covers fitted over the cushions and intended to protect them from the effects of
dirt, perspiration, cosmetics, etc.
3.2 Symbols and abbreviations
For the purposes of this document, the following symbols and abbreviations apply.
H High-frequency attenuation value
M Medium-frequency attenuation value
L Low-frequency attenuation value
APV Assumed Protection Value for frequency f and a protection performance of 98 %
f98
SNR Single Number Rating
PPE Personal Protective Equipment
4 Requirements
4.1 Sizing
Earmuffs shall be classified into three size ranges:
— ‘medium size range' if their adjustability complies with 4.3.2.2 a) and 4.3.2.2 b), as appropriate;
— 'small size range' if their adjustability complies with 4.3.2.3 a) and 4.3.2.3 b), as appropriate;
— 'large size range' if their adjustability complies with 4.3.2.4 a) and 4.3.2.4 b), as appropriate.
'Small size range’ and ‘large size range' earmuffs shall be accompanied by the user information specified
in Clause 6 k).
NOTE A model of earmuffs can fall into one or more size ranges.
8
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SIST EN 352-1:2021
EN 352-1:2020 (E)
4.2 Materials and construction
4.2.1 Materials
4.2.1.1 Those parts of the earmuffs that come into contact with the skin shall be non-staining, soft
and pliable.
4.2.1.2 Those parts of the earmuffs that come into contact with the skin shall not be likely to cause
skin irritation, allergic reaction or have any other adverse effect on health.
NOTE A written statement confirming this requirement
...
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST prEN 352-1:2018
01-september-2018
Varovala sluha - Splošne zahteve - 1. del: Naušniki
Hearing protectors - General requirements - Part 1: Earmuffs
Gehörschützer - Allgemeine Anforderungen - Teil 1: Kapselgehörschützer
Protecteurs individuels contre le bruit - Exigences générales - Partie 1: Serre-tête
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 352-1
ICS:
13.340.20 Varovalna oprema za glavo Head protective equipment
oSIST prEN 352-1:2018 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
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oSIST prEN 352-1:2018
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oSIST prEN 352-1:2018
DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
prEN 352-1
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
July 2018
ICS 13.340.20 Will supersede EN 352-1:2002
English Version
Hearing protectors - General requirements - Part 1:
Earmuffs
Protecteurs individuels contre le bruit - Exigences Gehörschützer - Allgemeine Anforderungen - Teil 1:
générales - Partie 1: Serre-tête Kapselgehörschützer
This draft European Standard is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee
CEN/TC 159.
If this draft becomes a European Standard, CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations
which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.
This draft European Standard was established by CEN in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other
language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania,
Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Turkey and United Kingdom.
Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are
aware and to provide supporting documentation.
Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without
notice and shall not be referred to as a European Standard.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2018 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. prEN 352-1:2018 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
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oSIST prEN 352-1:2018
prEN 352-1:2018 (E)
Contents Page
European foreword . 3
Introduction . 4
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms and definitions . 6
4 Requirements . 8
4.1 Sizing . 8
4.2 Materials and construction . 8
4.2.1 Materials . 8
4.2.2 Construction . 8
4.3 Performance . 8
4.3.1 General . 8
4.3.2 Sizing and adjustability . 8
4.3.3 Cup rotation . 9
4.3.4 Headband force . 9
4.3.5 Cushion pressure . 10
4.3.6 Resistance to damage when dropped . 10
4.3.7 Resistance to damage when dropped at low temperature (optional) . 10
4.3.8 Change in headband force (including optional water immersion with headband
under stress) . 10
4.3.9 Insertion loss . 10
4.3.10 Resistance to leakage . 10
4.3.11 Ignitability . 10
4.3.12 Minimum sound attenuation . 11
5 Marking . 11
6 User information . 11
Annex ZA (informative) Relationship between this European Standard and the essential
requirements of Regulation (EU) 2016/425 aimed to be covered . 14
Bibliography . 16
2
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oSIST prEN 352-1:2018
prEN 352-1:2018 (E)
European foreword
This document (prEN 352-1:2018) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 159 “Hearing
protectors”, the secretariat of which is held by DIN.
This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.
This document will supersede EN 352-1:2002.
This document has been prepared under a standardization request given to CEN by the European
Commission and the European Free Trade Association, and supports essential requirements of
EU Directive(s).
For relationship with EU Directive(s), see informative Annex ZA, which is an integral part of this
document.
3
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oSIST prEN 352-1:2018
prEN 352-1:2018 (E)
Introduction
This document sets requirements for personal hearing protection devices in relation to Regulation (EU)
2016/425 on personal protective equipment.
The particular requirement in relation to the ability of hearing protectors to reduce noise below daily
limit levels is addressed in the standard by requiring the sound attenuation of the hearing protectors,
measured in accordance with EN ISO 4869-1, to be not less than a specified minimum. Further, by
requiring that the measured sound attenuation be declared, the selection of suitable hearing protectors
for individual circumstances may be undertaken according to established practice.
EN 352-1 is part of a family of standards describing product requirements for hearing protectors:
— EN 352-1, Hearing protectors — General requirements — Part 1: Earmuffs
— EN 352-2, Hearing protectors — General requirements — Part 2: Earplugs
— EN 352-3, Hearing protectors — General requirements — Part 3: Earmuffs attached to head
protection and/or face protection devices
— EN 352-4, Hearing protectors — Safety requirements — Part 4: Level-dependent earmuffs
— EN 352-5, Hearing protectors — Safety requirements — Part 5: Active noise reduction earmuffs
— EN 352-6, Hearing protectors — Safety requirements — Part 6: Earmuffs with safety-related audio
input
— EN 352-7, Hearing protectors — Safety requirements — Part 7: Level-dependent earplugs
— EN 352-8, Hearing protectors — Safety requirements — Part 8: Entertainment audio earmuffs
— EN 352-9, Hearing protectors — Safety requirements — Part 9: Earplugs with safety-related audio
input
— EN 352-10, Hearing protectors — Safety requirements — Part 10: Entertainment audio earplugs
Test methods for these requirements for all types of hearing protectors are described in the following
standards:
— EN 13819-1, Hearing protectors — Testing — Part 1: Physical test methods
— EN 13819-2, Hearing protectors — Testing — Part 2: Acoustic test methods
— EN 13819-3, Hearing protectors — Testing — Part 3: Supplementary acoustic test methods
An associated standard EN 458 covers selection, use, care and maintenance of hearing protection.
The parts of EN 352, other than parts 1, 2 and 3, cover the performance of functions additional to
passive hearing protection. Hearing protectors which incorporate one or more of these functions are
subject to the requirements and tests of each of the relevant parts of EN 352, including parts 1, 2 or 3, as
appropriate.
The requirements of this European Standard are concerned primarily with the physical and acoustic
performance of the earmuffs.
The sizing requirements enable the majority of the industrial population to be fitted satisfactorily by
"medium size range” earmuffs. Populations of other sizes may be accommodated by ”small size range"
4
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oSIST prEN 352-1:2018
prEN 352-1:2018 (E)
or "large size range" earmuffs, which are required to be accompanied by information regarding the
range of sizes which they are designed to fit.
The standard also calls for the values of sound attenuation afforded by the earmuffs (measured in
accordance with EN ISO 4869-1) in order to assist purchasers in selecting the most appropriate model
of earmuffs for their needs. Minimum values of sound attenuation are also specified.
A maximum variability in insertion loss, measured objectively after a series of performance tests, is
specified. The objective test method only facilitates the making of comparative measurements, and the
insertion loss values obtained will differ from the measured sound attenuation values. The latter, which
requires the earmuffs to be tested whilst being worn by human test subjects, is regarded as providing
the reference test method for the measurement of the acoustic performance of hearing protectors.
5
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oSIST prEN 352-1:2018
prEN 352-1:2018 (E)
1 Scope
This document specifies requirements for construction, design, performance, marking and user
information for earmuffs.
In particular, it specifies the sound attenuation of the earmuffs, measured in accordance with
EN ISO 4869-1.
This document does not deal with earmuffs for attachment to head protection and/or face protection
devices.
Ergonomic aspects are addressed by taking into account, within the requirements, the interaction
between the user, the device and where possible the working environment in which the device is likely
to be used (see Annex ZA and EN 458).
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 13819-1:2002, Hearing protectors - Testing - Part 1: Physical test methods
EN 13819-2:2002, Hearing protectors - Testing - Part 2: Acoustic test methods
EN ISO 4869-2, Acoustics - Hearing protectors - Part 2: Estimation of effective A-weighted sound pressure
levels when hearing protectors are worn (ISO 4869-2)
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this European Standard, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
• IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp
3.1
cup
hollow component which is mounted on the equivalent headband and to which a cushion and a liner are
usually fitted
3.2
cushion
deformable component, usually containing a foam plastic or fluid filling, fitted to the rim of the cup to
improve the comfort and fit of the earmuffs on the head
3.3
liner
acoustically absorptive material contained within the cup which is intended to increase the attenuation
of the earmuffs at certain frequencies
3.4
headband
band, usually of metal and/or plastics, designed to enable the earmuffs to fit securely around the ears
by exerting force against the cups and pressure through the cushions
6
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oSIST prEN 352-1:2018
prEN 352-1:2018 (E)
3.5
earmuff
hearing protector consisting of circumaural cups pressed or held against the head around each pinna
3.5.1
over-the-head earmuff
earmuffs designed to be worn with the headband passing over the top of the head
3.5.2
behind-the-head earmuff
earmuffs designed to be worn with the headband passing behind the head
3.5.3
under-the-chin earmuff
earmuffs designed to be worn with the headband passing under the chin
3.5.4
universal earmuff
earmuffs designed to be worn as an over-the-head, a behind-the-head and an under-the-chin earmuffs
3.6
headstrap
flexible strap fitted to each cup, or to the headband close to the cup
Note 1 to entry: A headstrap is designed to support behind-the-head and under-the-chin earmuffs by passing
over, and resting on top of the head.
3.7
insertion loss
mean algebraic difference, in decibels, between the one-third-octave-band sound pressure level
measured by the microphone of the acoustic test fixture in a specified sound field under specified
conditions with the hearing protector absent and the sound pressure level with the hearing protector
present, with other conditions identical
[SOURCE: EN ISO 4869-3:2007, 3.5, modified — The words “in a specified sound field under specified
conditions ” and “with other conditions identical” have been added.]
3.8
sound attenuation
for a given test signal, the mean difference in decibels between the threshold of hearing with and
without the hearing protector in place
Note 1 to entry: Measured in accordance with EN ISO 4869-1 for a panel of test subjects
[SOURCE: EN ISO 4869-1:1990, 3.8, modified — The words “for a test subject” have been replaced by “,
measured in accordance with EN ISO 4869-1 for a panel of test subjects” added as a Note to entry.]
3.9
hygiene covers
temporary, disposable covers fitted over the cushions and intended to protect them from the effects of
dirt, perspiration, cosmetics, etc
7
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oSIST prEN 352-1:2018
prEN 352-1:2018 (E)
4 Requirements
4.1 Sizing
Earmuffs shall be classified into three size ranges, ‘medium size range’, ‘small size range’ and ‘large size
range'.
‘Medium size range' earmuffs shall be classified as ‘medium size range' if their adjustability complies
with 4.3.2.2 a) and 4.3.2.2 b), as appropriate.
'Small size range' earmuffs shall be classifi
...
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