ISO 15797 Standard: protective clothing suitable for industrial washing
ISO 15797 certified workwear is designed to withstand professional laundering processes and meet the strict requirements of industrial washing. This international standard ensures that PPE and professional clothing retain their protective properties and durability, even after multiple cycles of high-temperature washing and intensive drying.
Why is the ISO 15797 standard essential for workwear?
To be compatible with industrial maintenance, PPE garments must have passed the ISO 15797 standard tests and bear the "PRO" washing symbol.This ensures businesses, laundries, and end users safety, hygiene, and maintenance of performance (flame retardancy, visibility, waterproofing, etc.) throughout the garment's lifespan.
- Standard process: 75/160 cycle (washing at 75°C, drying at 155°C).
- Most commonly used washing program for PPE: program 8.
- Reading the ISO 15797 pictogram: black box = washing allowed / empty box = drying tunnel not compatible.
What are the steps of industrial washing according to ISO 15797?
1. SORTING
Thorough sorting separates:
- PPE workwear, flat linen (sheets, tablecloths), whites and colors,
- to ensure appropriate care for each textile category.
2.WASHING
- Industrial washing tunnels: capacity of approximately 50 kg per module.
- Laundry products and chemical agents specific to technical fibers.
- Mechanical spinning by press: pressure from 6 bars (garments) to 24 bars (flat linen),
- Current trend: many PPE items washed at 60°C, to preserve fibers and reduce environmental impact, without compromising safety.
3. HANGING ON HANGER
Each work garment is manually hung for drying preparation.
4. Industrial DRYING
- Passage through drying tunnel : duration of approximately 7 minutes per pass on hanger.
- Temperature : generally between 120 and 160°C (temperature reaching approximately 143°C on the fabric).
What are the programs and methods according to ISO 15797?
The ISO 15797 standard provides for up to 8 industrial washing programs and two drying methods : tumble drying or suspended tunnel drying.
The advantages of ISO 15797 certified workwear
- Increased resistance to frequent washing and intense thermal cycles,
- Durability and preservation of PPE performance: flame resistance, chemical protection, high visibility, etc.
- Regulatory compliance for all professions with high hygiene and safety requirements (industry, construction, agri-food, healthcare, etc.)
- Logistical efficiency: easy cleaning, simplified sorting, and garment traceability.
