DIN EN 397 E 2022-10 PDF

Full title and description

STB DIN EN 397 E 2022-10 — Industrial protective helmets (German and English version prEN 397:2022). This document is the European draft (prEN) edition of requirements, test methods and marking for industrial safety helmets intended to reduce the risk of head injuries from impacts, falling objects and related hazards.

Abstract

DIN EN 397 (prEN 397:2022) defines physical and performance requirements, test methods and marking for general-purpose industrial protective helmets. It includes mandatory basic requirements (shock absorption, penetration resistance, retention system performance, resistance to ignition) and a number of optional performance classes/claims (molten metal splash, electrical insulation, enhanced visibility, electrostatic properties). The draft also updates test procedures, headform sizing and conditioning requirements compared with earlier editions.

General information

• Status: Draft (prEN 397:2022) — published October 2022; subsequently withdrawn/superseded in the revision cycle.
• Publication date: October 2022 (designated 2022-10 / 01 October 2022).
• Publisher: Deutsches Institut für Normung (DIN) as the national adoption of the CEN draft (English/German text).
• ICS / categories: 13.340.20 (Head protective equipment).
• Edition / version: prEN 397:2022 — referenced as E DIN EN 397:2022-10 (draft European version).
• Number of pages: 90 pages (draft document length).

Scope

This draft standard applies to industrial protective helmets intended for general use in industry. It specifies requirements for helmet construction, shock absorption, resistance to penetration, retention system effectiveness and strength, resistance to ignition and marking. Additional optional performance requirements are included for special applications (for example molten metal splash protection, electrical insulation, increased visibility and electrostatic properties) and apply only when claimed by the manufacturer. The draft replaces earlier EN/DIN editions as part of a revision process.

Key topics and requirements

• Shock absorption tests and maximum transmitted force limits for specified impact energies (primary protection against falling objects).
• Penetration resistance of the shell (with tests for penetration through shell and ventilation holes).
• Retention system performance: strength, effectiveness and release characteristics.
• Resistance to ignition (flame resistance) and optional molten metal splash testing for specific applications.
• Optional performance classes: electrical insulation (EN 50365/related requirements), enhanced visibility, electrostatic dissipation, and molten metal splash — applied only when claimed by manufacturer.
• Sizing, headform definitions, conditioning of samples, and marking/labeling requirements (identification of manufacturer, year/month, performance claims, and care instructions).

Typical use and users

The standard is used by PPE manufacturers (design and type testing), conformity assessment bodies and testing laboratories (type and sample testing), safety managers and procurement teams in industry (specifying and selecting helmets), and national standards bodies and regulators who adopt or reference EN requirements. It is referenced in product technical documentation and supplier declarations for industrial head protection.

Related standards

Related documents and historical editions include EN 397:2012 / DIN EN 397:2013 (previous editions), ISO/TC standards on head protection (ISO 3873 family and related drafts), and specific standards addressing electrical insulation or mountaineering helmets where cross-references exist. The 2022 draft was part of an update process that led to a further revised edition published in 2025.

Keywords

Industrial protective helmet; safety helmet; head protection; shock absorption; penetration resistance; retention system; resistance to ignition; molten metal splash; electrostatic; enhanced visibility; prEN 397; DIN EN 397.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: This is the draft European standard prEN 397:2022 (adopted nationally as E DIN EN 397:2022-10) that specifies design, performance, test methods and marking requirements for industrial protective helmets intended for general industrial use.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers mandatory physical and performance requirements (impact/shock absorption, penetration resistance, retention-system strength/effectiveness, resistance to ignition), test methods, conditioning, headform sizing and marking. It also contains optional performance claims (e.g., molten metal splash, electrical insulation, electrostatic properties, enhanced visibility) that apply only when claimed by the manufacturer.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: PPE manufacturers, test laboratories, conformity assessment bodies, procurement and safety professionals, and standards bodies — anyone involved in design, testing, certification, purchase or regulation of industrial safety helmets.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2022-10 draft/prEN was published in October 2022 but was later withdrawn in the revision cycle and subsequently superseded by a later DIN EN 397 edition published in 2025. For current compliance and procurement, consult the latest official EN/DIN edition (the 2025 revision).

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — EN 397 is part of the body of standards addressing head protective equipment (ICS 13.340.20). It sits alongside earlier EN/DIN editions (e.g., EN 397:2012 / DIN EN 397:2013) and related international standards and test-method parts that together define helmet performance and test methods.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Industrial protective helmet, safety helmet, shock absorption, penetration resistance, retention system, resistance to ignition, molten metal splash, electrostatic, enhanced visibility, DIN EN 397, prEN.