When it comes to food safety, wearing certified clothing is not just about picking the right pants or the right jacket. It is about choosing the right combination – and that is exactly what DIN 10524 is designed to assess.
At Kentaur, we often get asked whether individual garments are certified. The answer is: not on their own. According to the DIN 10524 standard, certification applies to the complete outfit – typically a top and bottom worn together – and not to individual items in isolation.
How certification works
The certification process is carried out by recognized institutions like Hohenstein Laboratories GmbH & Co. KG, which test both the outer fabric and the finished clothing combination for compliance with DIN 10524 requirements.
Here is how it is done:
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The outer fabric is tested for hygienic properties such as cleanability, durability, and suitability for food production environments.
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The finished garment combination – such as pants and a coat – is assessed as a whole to ensure the design supports hygiene, minimizes contamination risks, and performs well under real working conditions.
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Certificates of conformity can be issued separately for the outer fabric and the ready-made garment, depending on what is tested. A full DIN 10524 risk class compliance (1, 2, and/or 3) is only ensured when both components are certified and used together as a tested combination.
What this means when choosing workwear
The certificate of conformity is a valuable tool when selecting workwear for food processing environments. It helps businesses ensure they are outfitting staff with garments that meet hygiene standards and pose minimal contamination risk.
Because certification applies to specific clothing combinations, it is important to choose items that have been tested and approved together. Not every top goes with every bottom – so relying on certified pairings is key.
See our certified workwear combinations
To make this process easier, we have clearly listed all certified workwear combinations. This allows customers to choose confidently, knowing the full outfit meets the standard for their specific hygiene risk class.
