Protective Clothing with Electrostatic Properties
ATEX Directive (Explosive Atmospheres Compliance)
Ethica Tex designs antistatic workwear in line with ATEX Directive 99/92/CE (Annex II, Article 2.3). This directive requires employers to provide workers with clothing that prevents electrostatic discharges that could ignite explosive atmospheres.
As a result, our garments actively reduce static build-up in high-risk environments. Moreover, they support explosion-prevention strategies across hazardous workplaces. Therefore, teams can operate with greater safety and compliance.
These garments suit demanding sectors such as:
Oil & gas facilities
Chemical processing plants
Refineries and fuel depots
Paint shops and solvent-handling areas
EN 1149 Antistatic Testing & Certification
Ethica Tex certifies all antistatic garments under EN 1149-5, which defines performance requirements for electrostatic-protective clothing. In addition, we verify compliance through both fabric testing and garment engineering controls. Consequently, each finished product delivers reliable, end-to-end protection.
Fabric Performance Testing Standards
Our antistatic fabrics meet one of the following standards:
EN 1149-1 – Surface Resistivity
This test measures how efficiently the fabric dissipates electrical charge across its surface. As a result, the material limits static accumulation during movement.
EN 1149-3 – Charge Decay
This test measures how quickly the fabric releases stored electrical charge. Therefore, it minimizes the risk of sudden spark discharge.
Garment Design Requirements for ATEX Compliance
Fabric performance alone does not guarantee compliance. Instead, garment design plays a critical role in full electrostatic protection. For this reason, Ethica Tex applies strict construction controls:
– We fully cover all external conductive components
– We insulate metallic accessories such as zippers and snaps
– We control reflective tape size and placement
– We engineer seams to maintain continuous antistatic pathways
– We design closures to ensure complete coverage during movement
As a result, the entire garment system maintains antistatic integrity, not just the fabric panels.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – ATEX & Antistatic Workwear
What is ATEX Directive 99/92/CE?
ATEX 99/92/CE defines minimum safety requirements for workers in explosive atmospheres. Specifically, it requires antistatic clothing that prevents ignition caused by electrostatic discharge. Therefore, employers must select certified garments for ATEX-classified zones.
Is EN 1149-5 mandatory for ATEX environments?
Yes. EN 1149-5 provides the recognized European benchmark for antistatic protective clothing in ATEX zones. Consequently, organizations use this standard to verify garment compliance.
What is the difference between EN 1149-1 and EN 1149-3?
EN 1149-1 evaluates surface resistivity, while EN 1149-3 measures charge decay. However, both standards validate electrostatic performance. Therefore, garments can qualify under EN 1149-5 by meeting either fabric test method.
Can reflective tape affect ATEX compliance?
Yes. Reflective tape can interrupt electrostatic discharge performance if applied incorrectly. For this reason, certified garments limit tape size and placement to preserve antistatic continuity.
Are all antistatic garments ATEX compliant?
No. Some garments only control static in low-risk environments. However, only garments certified to EN 1149-5 and engineered for ATEX zones provide verified explosion-risk protection.