EN 352 explained: ear defenders, earplugs and SNR
EN 352 explained: ear defenders, earplugs and SNR
EN 352 is the series of standards for hearing protectors: Part 1 ear defenders, Part 2 earplugs and Part 3 helmet-mounted ear defenders, with later parts for electronic types.
Updated
Quick answer
Pick hearing protection by its SNR (single number rating) and H, M and L values, which are printed on the pack. HSE guidance is to bring the noise at the ear down to roughly 70 to 80 dB: too little protection risks hearing damage, while too much can isolate the wearer. Real-world protection is usually lower than the lab figure, so fit and training matter.
At a glance
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| What it covers | Ear defenders, earplugs, helmet-mounted, level-dependent and audio ear defenders |
| Current editions | EN 352-1 to EN 352-10 (2020 editions, some +A1:2024) |
| Status in GB | Designated in Great Britain (GOV.UK notice 0142/26, 15 October 2026) |
| Status in Ireland and NI | Harmonised in the EU, so it applies in Ireland and Northern Ireland |
| On the label | "EN 352-1", "-2" or "-3" plus SNR and H, M, L values |
Which part is which
| Part | Product |
|---|---|
| EN 352-1 | Ear defenders (ear muffs) |
| EN 352-2 | Earplugs |
| EN 352-3 | Ear defenders mounted on a safety helmet |
| EN 352-4 to -10 | Level-dependent, active noise reduction and audio types |
Shop EN 352
EN 352 questions
What SNR do I need?
Enough to bring noise at the ear to roughly 70 to 80 dB, according to HSE guidance. A noise assessment tells you the level you start from.
Is a higher SNR always better?
No. Over-protection can stop people hearing warnings and colleagues, and they may remove the protector.
Need this for a team?
We can supply and brand PPE for your whole team, delivered across the UK and Ireland.
Official sources
Standards and site rules change. Always check the current edition, the product's declaration of conformity and your own risk assessment.
- GOV.UK: Designated standards for PPE (Great Britain): https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/designated-standards-ppe
- European Commission: Harmonised standards for PPE (EU, applies in Ireland and Northern Ireland): https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/single-market/goods/european-standards/harmonised-standards/personal-protective-equipment_en
- HSE: Hearing protection: https://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/hearingprotection.htm
- HSA: Noise at work (Ireland): https://www.hsa.ie/eng/topics/physical_agents/noise/
- BSI: the UK National Standards Body (publishes BS EN standards): https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/about-bsi/uk-national-standards-body/
- NSAI: National Standards Authority of Ireland (publishes I.S. EN standards): https://www.nsai.ie/