EN 352-4:2020
(Main)Hearing protectors - Safety requirements - Part 4: Level-dependent earmuffs
Hearing protectors - Safety requirements - Part 4: Level-dependent earmuffs
This European Standard is applicable to level-dependent earmuffs. It specifies requirements on construction, design, performance, marking and user information related to the inclusion of the level-dependent functionality.
Gehörschützer - Sicherheitstechnische Anforderungen - Teil 4: Pegelabhängig dämmende Kapselgehörschützer
Dieses Dokument ist anzuwenden für pegelabhängig dämmende Kapselgehörschützer. Es legt für die Integration der pegelabhängigen Funktionalität Anforderungen hinsichtlich Konstruktion, Gestaltung, Leistung, Kennzeichnung und Benutzerinformationen fest.
Pegelabhängig dämmende Kapselgehörschützer sind dazu konstruiert, die Wiedergabe von Umgebungsgeräuschen zu ermöglichen, während sie bei hohen Pegeln eine Dämmung des Schalls bewirken. Sie können für die Anwendung in Umgebungen mit intermittierendem oder Impulslärm, in der gleichzeitig äußere akustische Warnsignale gehört werden müssen, eingesetzt werden. Dieses Dokument behandelt diejenigen Kapselgehörschützer, die mit einem elektronischen Schaltkreis für die Schallwiedergabe ausgestattet sind.
Protecteurs individuels contre le bruit - Exigences de sécurité et essais - Partie 4 : Serre-tête à atténuation dépendante du niveau
Le présent document est applicable aux serre-tête à atténuation dépendante du niveau. Il spécifie les exigences en matière de construction, de conception, de performances et de marquage ainsi que les informations destinées à l'utilisateur pour ce qui concerne l'incorporation de la fonctionnalité d'atténuation dépendante du niveau.
Les serre-tête à atténuation dépendante du niveau sont conçus pour restituer les sons externes tout en assurant l'affaiblissement des sons à des niveaux élevés. Ils peuvent être sélectionnés pour une utilisation dans des environnements de bruit intermittent ou impulsionnel ainsi que dans des lieux où il faut pouvoir entendre des sons avertisseurs de danger. Le présent document concerne de tels serre-tête équipés d'un circuit électronique de restitution du son.
Varovala sluha - Varnostne zahteve - 4. del: Naušniki, prilagodljivi ravni hrupa
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 17-Nov-2020
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 159 - Hearing protectors
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 159/WG 2 - Amplitude sensitive hearing protectors
- Current Stage
- 6060 - Definitive text made available (DAV) - Publishing
- Start Date
- 18-Nov-2020
- Due Date
- 16-May-2019
- Completion Date
- 18-Nov-2020
Relations
- Effective Date
- 25-Nov-2020
- Effective Date
- 23-Apr-2014
Overview
EN 352-4:2020 - published by CEN - is the European standard for level-dependent earmuffs (earmuffs with an electronic sound restoration circuit). It specifies safety requirements on construction, design, performance, marking and user information that are specific to the level-dependent functionality. The standard ensures restored low-level environmental sounds are audible while high-level sounds are attenuated to protect users from harmful noise exposure.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope: Applies to level-dependent earmuffs designed to restore external sounds and attenuate high-level sounds; intended for intermittent or impulse noise where warning signals must be heard.
- Definitions: Includes terms such as sound restoration circuit and criterion levels (H, M, L) used to characterize level-dependent behaviour.
- Performance / Criterion levels:
- Criterion levels are determined per test procedures in EN 13819-3:2019 (clause 7.2.2).
- For products intended only for impulse-type noise: minimum criterion levels H, M and L = 85 dB(A).
- For products not limited to impulse-only use: minimum criterion levels H = 97 dB(A), M = 96 dB(A), L = 94 dB(A).
- The criterion levels are established to limit A‑weighted equivalent diffuse-field related sound pressure at the ear to 85 dB(A) when the restoration circuit is at maximum volume.
- Marking: Use the marking requirements in EN 352-1:2020 (or EN 352-3:2020 as appropriate). No extra marking is required specifically for level-dependent functionality.
- Manufacturer’s instructions: Must include a reference to EN 352-4:2020; indicate the level-dependent feature; provide the measured criterion levels; battery-check/charging/replacement instructions; warnings about battery-related performance deterioration and operational checks; and a warning if the product is not suitable for high continuous noise (when it only meets impulse-only criteria).
Applications and who uses this standard
- Practical uses: selection, design, testing and certification of level-dependent hearing protectors for environments where situational awareness is required (e.g., intermittent or impulsive noise workplaces where warning signals must be heard).
- Primary users: manufacturers, PPE designers, test laboratories, conformity assessors, safety managers and procurement teams responsible for hearing protection and compliance with EU PPE Regulation (EU) 2016/425.
Related standards
- EN 352 series (family): EN 352-1, EN 352-2, EN 352-3, EN 352-5… (EN 352-4 is part of this family)
- Test methods: EN 13819-1, EN 13819-2, EN 13819-3:2019
- Guidance: EN 458 (selection, use, care and maintenance of hearing protection)
Keywords: EN 352-4:2020, level-dependent earmuffs, hearing protectors, criterion levels, EN 13819-3, PPE Regulation 2016/425, CEN.
Frequently Asked Questions
EN 352-4:2020 is a standard published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Hearing protectors - Safety requirements - Part 4: Level-dependent earmuffs". This standard covers: This European Standard is applicable to level-dependent earmuffs. It specifies requirements on construction, design, performance, marking and user information related to the inclusion of the level-dependent functionality.
This European Standard is applicable to level-dependent earmuffs. It specifies requirements on construction, design, performance, marking and user information related to the inclusion of the level-dependent functionality.
EN 352-4:2020 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 13.340.20 - Head protective equipment. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
EN 352-4:2020 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 352-4:2001/A1:2005, EN 352-4:2001. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
EN 352-4:2020 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 2016/425, 89/686/EEC; Standardization Mandates: M/571, M/571 AMD 1, M/BC/CEN/90/2. When a standard is cited in the Official Journal of the European Union, products manufactured in conformity with it benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation.
EN 352-4:2020 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-april-2021
Nadomešča:
SIST EN 352-4:2001
SIST EN 352-4:2001/A1:2006
Varovala sluha - Varnostne zahteve - 4. del: Naušniki, prilagodljivi ravni hrupa
Hearing protectors - Safety requirements - Part 4: Level-dependent earmuffs
Gehörschützer - Sicherheitstechnische Anforderungen und Prüfungen - Teil 4:
Pegelabhängige Kapselgehörschützer
Protecteurs individuels contre le bruit - Exigences de sécurité et essais - Partie 4 : Serre-
tête à atténuation dépendante du niveau
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 352-4:2020
ICS:
13.340.20 Varovalna oprema za glavo Head protective equipment
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
EN 352-4
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
November 2020
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 13.340.20 Supersedes EN 352-4:2001
English Version
Hearing protectors - Safety requirements - Part 4: Level-
dependent earmuffs
Protecteurs individuels contre le bruit - Exigences de Gehörschützer - Sicherheitstechnische Anforderungen
sécurité et essais - Partie 4 : Serre-tête à atténuation und Prüfungen - Teil 4: Pegelabhängige
dépendante du niveau Kapselgehörschützer
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 18 June 2018.
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 352-4:2020 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
Contents Page
European foreword . 3
Introduction . 4
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 Requirements . 6
4.1 General . 6
4.2 Performance . 6
4.2.1 Criterion levels . 6
4.2.2 Criterion levels for products intended for use in impulse-type noise situations only . 6
4.2.3 Criterion levels for products not intended for use in impulse-type noise situations
only . 6
5 Marking . 6
6 Manufacturer's instructions and information . 7
Annex ZA (informative) Relationship between this European Standard and the essential
requirements of Regulation (EU) 2016/425 of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 9 March 2016 on personal protective equipment aimed to be covered. 8
Bibliography . 9
European foreword
This document (EN 352-4:2020) 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 supersedes EN 352-4:2001, EN 352-4:2001/A1:2005.
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.
In comparison with the previous edition, the following technical modifications have been made:
Clause/Paragraph/Table/Figure Change
Clause 4 new requirements on criterion levels added
Clause 5 removed, reference to EN 13819-3:2019, 7.2.2 added
Annex A removed
Annex B removed, reference to EN 13819-3:2019, 7.2.2 added
NOTE 1 The technical changes referred to include the significant technical changes from the EN revised but
is not an exhaustive list of all modifications from the previous edition.
NOTE 2 The modifications include previously issued guidance documents according to Article 24 §11 in the
EU Regulation (EU) 2016/425 on personal protective equipment. No changes have been made to minimum
safety requirements. The modifications do not affect the state of art of the product requirements for these
products.
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.
Introduction
The requirements of the standard are concerned with the level-dependent performance of the earmuffs.
The criterion levels within this standard are determined to limit the sound pressure level effective to
the ear to 85 dB(A).
EN 352-4 is part of a family of standards describing product requirements:
— 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 wit
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