SIST EN 352-3:2021

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
SIST EN 352-3:2021
01-april-2021
Nadomešča:
SIST EN 352-3:2003
Varovala sluha - Splošne zahteve - 3. del: Naušniki, pritrjeni na varovalno opremo
za zaščito glave in/ali obraza
Hearing protectors - General requirements - Part 3: Earmuffs attached to head protection
and/or face protection devices
Gehörschützer - Allgemeine Anforderungen - Teil 3: An Kopfschutz und/oder
Gesichtsschutzgeräten befestigte Kapselgehörschützer
Protecteurs individuels contre le bruit - Exigences générales - Partie 3 : Serre-tête
montés sur dispositifs de protection de la tête et/ou du visage
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 352-3:2020
ICS:
13.340.20 Varovalna oprema za glavo Head protective equipment
SIST EN 352-3:2021 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

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SIST EN 352-3:2021

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SIST EN 352-3:2021


EN 352-3
EUROPEAN STANDARD

NORME EUROPÉENNE

November 2020
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 13.340.20 Supersedes EN 352-3:2002
English Version

Hearing protectors - General requirements - Part 3:
Earmuffs attached to head protection and/or face
protection devices
Protecteurs individuels contre le bruit - Exigences Gehörschützer - Allgemeine Anforderungen - Teil 3: An
générales - Partie 3 : Serre-tête montés sur dispositifs Kopfschutz und/oder Gesichtsschutzgeräten befestigte
de protection de la tête et/ou du visage 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 352-3:2020 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

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SIST EN 352-3:2021
EN 352-3:2020 (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 . 9
4 Requirements . 9
4.1 Sizing . 9
4.2 Materials and construction . 9
4.2.1 Materials . 9
4.2.2 Construction . 10
4.3 Performance . 10
4.3.1 General . 10
4.3.2 Sizing and adjustability . 10
4.3.3 Cup rotation . 10
4.3.4 Headband force . 10
4.3.5 Cushion pressure . 11
4.3.6 Resistance to damage when dropped . 12
4.3.7 Resistance to damage when dropped at low temperature (optional) . 12
4.3.8 Change in headband force (including optional water immersion with headband
under stress) . 12
4.3.9 Insertion loss . 12
4.3.10 Resistance to leakage . 12
4.3.11 Ignitability . 12
4.3.12 Minimum sound attenuation . 13
5 Marking . 13
6 User information . 13
Annex A (informative) Technical changes between this document and the previous edition
of this European Standard . 17
Annex ZA (informative) Relationship between this European Standard and the essential
requirements of Regulation (EU) 2016/425 aimed to be covered . 19
Bibliography . 21

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SIST EN 352-3:2021
EN 352-3:2020 (E)
European foreword
This document (EN 352-3:2020) 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 352-3:2002.
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.
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SIST EN 352-3:2021
EN 352-3:2020 (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 352-3 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 −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 earmuffs attached to head protection and/or face protection devices (mounted
earmuffs).
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SIST EN 352-3:2021
EN 352-3:2020 (E)
The sizing requirements enable the majority of the user population to be fitted satisfactorily by
“medium size range” mounted earmuffs. Individuals with other sizes can be accommodated by “small
size range” or “large size range” mounted 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 provided by the mounted earmuffs
(measured in accordance with EN ISO 4869-1) in order to assist users in selecting the most appropriate
model of mounted 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 mounted 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.
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SIST EN 352-3:2021
EN 352-3:2020 (E)
1 Scope
This document specifies requirements for construction, design, performance, marking and user
information for earmuffs attached to head protection and/or face protection devices, hereinafter
referred to as ‘mounted earmuffs’.
In particular, it specifies requirements regarding the sound attenuation of mounted 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
standard.
Because one model of earmuffs designed to be attached to head protection and/or face protection
devices can be fitted to a number of other models and sizes of the carrier, this part of the standard sets
out a series of physical and acoustic requirements for earmuffs when fitted to the specified model(s) or
size(s) of head protection and/or face protection device.
All requirements apply to earmuffs fitted to one of the specified models or sizes of head protection
and/or face protection device (the basic combination). An abbreviated set of requirements applies to
the same model of earmuffs when fitted to the other specified models or sizes of head protection and/or
face protection device (the supplementary combinations).
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.
[SOURCE: EN 352-1:2020, 3.1.1]
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SIST EN 352-3:2021
EN 352-3:2020 (E)
3.1.2
cup
hollow component which is mounted on the equivalent headband and to which a cushion and a liner are
usually fitted
[SOURCE: EN 352-1:2020, 3.1.2]
3.1.3
cup supporting arm
arm, usually of metal or plastics, attached to the head protection and/or face protection device shell and
designed to enable the earmuffs' cup to fit securely around the ear by exerting force against the cup and
pressure through the cushion
Note 1 to entry: It includes the means of attachment to the head protection and/or face protection device.
3.1.4
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
[SOURCE: EN 352-1:2020, 3.1.3]
3.1.5
liner
acoustically absorptive material contained within the cup which is intended to increase the attenuation
of the earmuffs at certain frequencies
[SOURCE: EN 352-1:2020, 3.1.4]
3.1.6
earmuff
hearing protector consisting of circumaural cups pressed or held against the head around each pinna
[SOURCE: EN 352-1:2020, 3.1.6]
3.1.7
equivalent headband
part of the mounted earmuffs which supports the cups and is designed to enable the earmuffs to fit
securely around the ears by exerting force against the cups and pressure through the cushions
Note 1 to entry: It comprises the head protection and/or face protection device (carrier) and the cup
supporting arms and is intended to be functionally equivalent to the headband of headband earmuffs.
3.1.8
carrier
head protection and/or face protection device, primarily intended to protect the upper part of the
user's head and/or face
Note 1 to entry: Examples of suitable PPE carriers are industrial safety helmets, rigid head tops of powered and
supplied air respirator systems, climbing and rescue helmets, face shields, visors.
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SIST EN 352-3:2021
EN 352-3:2020 (E)
3.1.9
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.]
3.1.10
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.]
3.1.11
parking position
position of the earmuffs in which the cups are located above the level of the lower edge of the carrier
shell
Note 1 to entry: See also 3.1.12.
3.1.12
stand-by position
position of the earmuffs in which the cups are located below the level of the lower edge of the carrier
shell and in which the cushions are held away from the side of the head or pinna
Note 1 to entry: See also 3.1.11.
3.1.13
basic combination
mounted earmuffs which include the first or only model or size of carrier to which a given model of
earmuffs is fitted, and which will undergo all the tests in the standard
Note 1 to entry: See also 3.1.14.
3.1.14
supplementary combination
mounted earmuffs which include a model or size of carrier, other than the carrier of the basic
combination, to which is fitted the same model of mounted earmuffs as for the basic combination, and
which will undergo an abbreviated set of tests
Note 1 to entry: See also 3.1.13.
Note 2 to entry: The first tested combination of a model of earmuffs and a carrier is the basic combination. The
next combination of a new carrier and the same model of earmuffs is tested as a supplementary combination,
regardless when the basic combination was tested and regardless of the difference of model and size of the
carrier. This applies even if the carrier of the basic combination is not manufactured anymore.
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SIST EN 352-3:2021
EN 352-3:2020 (E)
3.1.15
hygiene cover
temporary, disposable covers fitted over the cushions and intended to protect them from the effects of
dirt, perspiration, cosmetics, etc.
[SOURCE: EN 352-1:2020, 3.1.10]
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
Mounted earmuffs shall be classified into three size ranges:
— ‘medium size range’ if their adjustability complies with 4.3.2.2;
— ‘small size range’ if their adjustability complies with 4.3.2.3;
— ‘large size range’ if their adjustability complies with 4.3.2.4.
'Small size range’ and ‘large size range' mounted earmuffs shall be accompanied by the information
specified in Clause 6 m).
NOTE A model of mounted earmuffs can fall into one or more size ranges.
4.2 Materials and construction
4.2.1 Materials
4.2.1.1 Those parts of the mounted earmuffs that come into contact with the skin shall be non-
staining, soft and pliable.
4.2.1.2 Those parts of the mounted 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 can be provided to the test house by the
manufacturer.
4.2.1.3 All materials shall be visibly unimpaired after cleaning and disinfection by the methods
specified by the manufacturer.
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SIST EN 352-3:2021
EN 352-3:2020 (E)
4.2.2 Construction
4.2.2.1 All parts of the mounted earmuffs and cup supporting arms shall be finished smooth and be
free from sharp edges that could cause excessive irritation or injuries.
4.2.2.2 Mounted earmuffs whose cushions and/or liners are intended by the manufacturer to be
replaced by the user shall not require the use of tools for this purpose.
4.3 Performance
4.3.1 General
The requirements specified in 4.3.2 to 4.3.12 shall be satisfied.
Mounted earmuffs shall be conditioned and tested in accordance with EN 13819-1:2020, 4.1.1, 4.1.2 and
4.1.3.
4.3.2 Sizing and adjustability
4.3.2.1 General
Sizing and adjustability shall be tested in accordance with EN 13819-1:2020, 4.2 and the following
requirements satisfied, as appropriate.
In the case of mounted earmuffs incorporating a means to adjust the headband force, these
requirements shall be satisfied at both the maximum and the minimum force setting.
4.3.2.2 'Medium size range' mounted earmuffs
For each of the combinations of test dimensions shown by the letter M in EN 13819-1:2020, Table 3, the
range of adjustment of the cups/equivalent headband and of the width between the cushions shall
enable the mounted earmuffs to be fitted to the headform.
4.3.2.3 'Small size range' mounted earmuffs
For each of the combinations of test dimensions shown by the letter S in EN 13819-1:2020, Table 3, the
range of adjustment of the cups/equivalent headband and of the width between the cushions shall
enable the mounted earmuffs to be fitted to the headform.
4.3.2.4 'Large size range' mounted earmuffs
For each of the combinations of test dimensions shown by the letter L in EN 13819-1:2020, Table 3, the
range of adjustment of the cups/equivalent headband and of the width between the cushions shall
enable the mounted earmuffs to be fitted to the headform.
4.3.3 Cup rotation
When tested in accordance with EN 13819-1:2020, 4.3, the contact between the cushions and the plates
of the fixture shall be continuous insofar as it provides an unbroken barrier between the inside and
outside perimeter of the cushions.
4.3.4 Headband force
When tested in accordance with EN 13819-1:2020, 4.4, the headband force of each specimen shall not
be greater than 14 N. In the case of mounted earmuffs incorporating means to adjust this force, it shall
be possible to adjust the force to 14 N or less.
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SIST EN 352-3:2021
EN 352-3:2020 (E)
For each supplementary combination set, if the conditions a) and b) or a) and c) are not met, the
supplementary combination shall be additionally tested for sound attenuation in accordance with
EN 13819-2:2020, 4.2.
a) The mean value of headband force of the specimens of the supplementary combination set, as
reported in EN 13819-1:2020, 4.4.4, shall be not less than 8 N.
b) When the mean value of headband force of the specimens of the basic combination set, as reported
in EN 13819-1:2020, 4.4.4, is 11 N or more, the mean value of headband force of the specimens of
the supplementary combination set as reported according to EN 13819-1:2020, 4.4.4, shall be not
less than 80 % of that of the specimens of the basic combination set.
c) When the mean value of headband force of the specimens of the basic combination set, as reported
in EN 13819-1:2020, 4.4.4, is less than 11 N, the mean value of the headband force of the
supplementary combination set shall be not less than the value ‘S ’ in Formula (1).
min
R⋅ BASIC
(1)
S =-BASIC
min
100
where
BASIC is the mean value of headband force of the specimens of the basic combination
set in Newton;
R is the reduction in % (obtained from Figure 1).

Key
Y R (%)
X BASIC (N)
Figure 1 — Maximum permitted percentage reduction (R) of the mean value of the headband
force of the specimens of the supplementary combination set
4.3.5 Cushion pressure
When tested in accordance with EN 13819-1:2020, 4.5, the cushion pressure of each specimen shall be
not greater than 4 500 Pa. For mounted earmuffs incorporating means to adjust the headband force,
this requirement shall apply to the maximum force setting or 14 N, whichever is the lower.
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EN 352-3:2020 (E)
4.3.6 Resistance to damage when dropped
Unless 4.3.7 is to be satisfied, the carrier shell, the cups (except for replaceable cushions) and the cup
supporting arms shall remain intact and fully functional as a passive hearing protection when tested in
accordance with EN 13819-1:2020, 4.6. Neither shall any part of the mounted earmuffs become
detached, such that correct reassembly requires the use of either a tool or a replacement part.
4.3.7 Resistance to damage when dropped at low temperature (optional)
When tested in accordance with EN 13819-1:2020, 4.7, the carrier shell, the cups (except for
replaceable cushions) and the cup supporting arms shall remain intact and fully functional as a passive
hearing protection. Neither shall any part of the mounted earmuffs become detached, such that correct
re-assembly requires the use of either a tool or a replacement part. If the requirements of this subclause
are met, the information shall be supplied to the user with the mounted earmuffs according to
Clause 6 f).
4.3.8 Change in headband force (including optional water immersion with headband under
stress)
The headband force of each specimen shall not change by more than ± 15 % from that reported at 4.3.4
after the mounted earmuffs have been subjected to the appropriate conditioning and tests specified in
EN 13819-1:2020, 4.1.3.7 a) to i). The comparison between the results before and after conditioning
shall be performed for the headband force of each specimen separately. If the headband force according
to 4.3.4 was measured at more than one size adjustment, the ± 15 % limit shall apply only to the size
adjustment which gave the highest initial force. Additionally, and in all cases, the final headband force of
each specimen shall not exceed 14 N. If the test according to EN 13819-1:2020, 4.11 (headband under
stress), has been done and the requirements of 4.3.8 of this document are met, the information
according to Clause 6 e) shall be supplied to the user with the mounted earmuffs.
4.3.9 Insertion loss
The standard deviations reported in accordance with EN 13819-2:2020, 4.1, shall not be greater than
4,0 dB in four or more adjacent one-third-octave-bands, and not greate
...