EN 13819-2:2020
(Main)Hearing protectors - Testing - Part 2: Acoustic test methods
Hearing protectors - Testing - Part 2: Acoustic test methods
This document specifies acoustic test methods for hearing protectors. The purpose of these tests is to enable assessment of the performance of the hearing protector as specified in the appropriate product standard.
Gehörschützer - Prüfung - Teil 2: Akustische Prüfverfahren
Dieses Dokument legt akustischen Prüfverfahren für Gehörschützer fest. Zweck dieser Prüfungen ist, die Beurteilung der Leistungsfähigkeit des Gehörschützers, wie sie in der jeweiligen Produktnorm festgelegt ist, zu ermöglichen.
Protecteurs individuels contre le bruit - Essais - Partie 2 : Méthodes d'essai acoustique
Le présent document décrit des méthodes d'essai acoustique des protecteurs contre le bruit. L'objectif de ces essais est de permettre l'évaluation des performances du protecteur contre le bruit comme spécifiées dans la norme de produit appropriée.
Varovala sluha - Preskušanje - 2. del: Akustične preskusne metode
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 17-Nov-2020
- Withdrawal Date
- 30-May-2021
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 159 - Hearing protectors
- Current Stage
- 6060 - Definitive text made available (DAV) - Publishing
- Start Date
- 18-Nov-2020
- Due Date
- 12-Jun-2020
- Completion Date
- 18-Nov-2020
Relations
- Effective Date
- 25-Nov-2020
Overview
EN 13819-2:2020 - "Hearing protectors - Testing - Part 2: Acoustic test methods" (CEN) defines standardized acoustic test methods to assess the performance of hearing protectors (earmuffs, earplugs and custom moulded earplugs). Its purpose is to provide repeatable test procedures and reporting formats so manufacturers, test laboratories and certification bodies can verify compliance with product standards and Regulation (EU) 2016/425 (Personal Protective Equipment).
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope: Acoustic test methods to enable assessment of hearing protector performance as specified in the appropriate product standard.
- Two main test methods:
- Insertion loss (earmuffs only): Measured using an Acoustic Test Fixture (ATF).
- Measurements are made at one‑third‑octave centre frequencies (250 Hz to 8 000 Hz).
- Either a random incidence field or a plane progressive wave field may be used (plane wave results may be rechecked with random incidence if requirements fail).
- Special rules for mounted earmuffs, headband adjustment (maximum force where adjustable) and reporting separate left/right cup results when attenuation differs.
- Sound attenuation (earplugs, earmuffs on human subjects): Measured with human test panels following EN ISO 4869-1 procedures.
- Main measurement uses 16 subjects for one mode of wearing; abbreviated procedures (10 then +6 subjects) exist for additional modes or supplementary combinations, with pass/fail comparisons within ±3 dB to avoid duplicate full tests.
- Specific provisions for earplug sizing, custom moulded earplugs (impressions by a trained specialist) and prohibition of special insertion creams during measurement.
- Insertion loss (earmuffs only): Measured using an Acoustic Test Fixture (ATF).
- Reporting: Results and statistics (mean, standard deviation) reported in accordance with EN ISO 4869 series. Annex A addresses measurement uncertainty and interpretation.
Practical applications and users
- Who uses EN 13819-2:2020
- Hearing protector manufacturers preparing type‑approval and technical files.
- Accredited test laboratories performing acoustic performance testing.
- Certification and conformity assessment bodies verifying compliance with EU PPE regulation.
- Occupational safety professionals and procurement teams evaluating hearing protection for workplaces.
- Why it matters
- Ensures consistent, comparable acoustic performance data (insertion loss, attenuation) across products.
- Supports selection of effective hearing protectors for industrial, entertainment or consumer environments.
- Provides defensible test evidence for regulatory compliance and product labeling.
Related standards
- EN ISO 4869-1:2018, EN ISO 4869-2:2018, EN ISO 4869-3:2007 (normative references for procedures and ATF)
- EN 13819-1 (Physical test methods) and EN 13819-3 (Supplementary acoustic methods)
- EN 352 series (product requirements for earmuffs, earplugs, level‑dependent devices)
- EN 458 (selection, use, care and maintenance of hearing protectors)
Keywords: EN 13819-2:2020, hearing protectors, acoustic test methods, sound attenuation, insertion loss, earmuffs, earplugs, EN ISO 4869.
Frequently Asked Questions
EN 13819-2:2020 is a standard published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Hearing protectors - Testing - Part 2: Acoustic test methods". This standard covers: This document specifies acoustic test methods for hearing protectors. The purpose of these tests is to enable assessment of the performance of the hearing protector as specified in the appropriate product standard.
This document specifies acoustic test methods for hearing protectors. The purpose of these tests is to enable assessment of the performance of the hearing protector as specified in the appropriate product standard.
EN 13819-2:2020 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 13819-2:2020 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 13819-2:2002. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
EN 13819-2:2020 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 2016/425, 89/686/EEC, 93/68/EEC, 93/95/EEC, 96/58/EC; Standardization Mandates: M/031. 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 13819-2:2020 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-januar-2021
Nadomešča:
SIST EN 13819-2:2003
Varovala sluha - Preskušanje - 2. del: Akustične preskusne metode
Hearing protectors - Testing - Part 2: Acoustic test methods
Gehörschützer - Prüfung - Teil 2: Akustische Prüfverfahren
Protecteurs individuels contre le bruit - Essais - Partie 2: Méthodes d'essai acoustique
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 13819-2:2020
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 13819-2
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
November 2020
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 13.340.20 Supersedes EN 13819-2:2002
English Version
Hearing protectors - Testing - Part 2: Acoustic test
methods
Protecteurs individuels contre le bruit - Essais - Partie Gehörschützer - Prüfung - Teil 2: Akustische
2 : Méthodes d'essai acoustique Prüfverfahren
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 13819-2:2020 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 Test methods . 6
4.1 Insertion loss (earmuffs only) . 6
4.1.1 Principle . 6
4.1.2 Apparatus . 6
4.1.3 Procedure. 6
4.1.4 Report . 6
4.2 Sound attenuation . 7
4.2.1 Principle . 7
4.2.2 Apparatus . 7
4.2.3 Procedure. 7
4.2.4 Report . 9
Annex A (informative) Uncertainty of measurement and interpretation of test results . 11
Bibliography . 13
European foreword
This document (EN 13819-2:2020) 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 May 2021.
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 13819-2:2002.
In comparison with the previous edition, the following technical modifications have been made:
— 4.2.3 some details on the test procedure for the sound attenuation of earplugs and custom moulded
earplugs added;
— 4.3 of EN 13819-2:2002 (Sound level effective to the ear (earmuffs only)) deleted;
— Annex ZA of EN 13819-2:2002 deleted.
The technical changes referred to include the significant technical changes from the European Standard
revised but is not an exhaustive list of all modifications from the previous edition.
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
This document specifies procedures for the testing of personal hearing protection devices in relation to
Regulation (EU) 2016/425 - Personal Protective Equipment.
A series of standards EN 352 describes product requirements of 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 are described in the series of standards EN 13819:
— 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 protectors.
EN 13819-2 is intended as a supplement to the specific product standards for hearing protectors.
4.1 specifies a method of measuring the insertion loss of earmuffs using an acoustic test fixture.
4.2 specifies a method of measuring the sound attenuation of hearing protectors using human test
subjects.
The performance requirements are given in the hearing protector product standard.
1 Scope
This document specifies acoustic test methods for hearing protectors. The purpose of these tests is to
enable assessment of the performance of the hearing protector as specified in the appropriate product
standard.
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 ISO 4869-1:2018, Acoustics — Hearing protectors — Part 1: Subjective method for the measurement
of sound attenuation (ISO 4869-1:2018)
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)
EN ISO 4869-3:2007, Acoustics — Hearing protectors — Part 3: Measurement of insertion loss of ear-muff
type protectors using an acoustic test fixture (ISO 4869-3:2007)
3 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
acoustic test fixture
ATF
device that approximates certain dimensions of an average adult human head and is used for measuring
the insertion loss of earmuffs
[SOURCE: EN ISO 4869-3:2007, 3.4, modified – The words “and is used for measuring the insertion loss
of earmuffs” have been added. The note has been deleted.]
3.2
insertio
...










Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.
Loading comments...