The water column in mm is a measure of waterproofing, usually for leisure and outdoor clothing. It refers to the water pressure at which a material becomes permeable to water. The tests to determine the water column in mm are carried out on brand-new material, which is why this specification is not meaningful for workwear. To meet the specific requirements of the working environment, durability, service life and water resistance under mechanical stress must be taken into account. STRAUSS weatherproof clothing is therefore certified to DIN EN 343:2019. Simulated snapshots provide insight into a product’s waterproofing. For example, a jacket is first pre-treated with oil, dust or other types of soiling common in the workplace, or subjected to increased mechanical stress, in order to test its waterproofing in this condition. If the seams and material withstand the water pressure, the products are awarded the DIN EN 343:2019 standard. The higher the standard category (1, 2, 3 or 4), the longer the item withstands water pressure. We have deliberately chosen not to specify the water column, as this figure alone does not provide any information about waterproofing and breathability under mechanical stress. Only the combination of functional characteristics (waterproofing / breathability) and mechanical properties (durability / stability / service life / resilience) ensures maximum performance for wearers of workwear.