Europe is home to some of the world’s leading workwear manufacturers. Many of these are based in Poland, but there are qualified manufacturers in other European countries, such as Estonia, Latvia, and Portugal. In this guide, we explain what importers and brands must know about manufacturing workwear in Europe, and what you can expect in terms of design options, materials, MOQ, and product compliance.
Supplier Overview
Supplier qualifications
Product compliance
Material options
Custom products
Industry overview
Design options
Most workwear manufacturers specialise in manufacturing according to the buyer’s specifications. This in turn requires that you create a techpack for each workwear design that includes the following:
- Design drawings
- Bill of materials
- Size chart
- Care label
- CE marking
You must also take the relevant harmonised standards into consideration when you design the workwear to ensure that the product is technically compliant.
Material options
Most workwear manufacturers can provide a selection of fabrics and materials that are suitable for different types of workwear. Keep in mind that the types of materials can differ depending on the specific workplace hazards that the workwear must protect against.
Product compliance
Workwear must meet the requirements under the Personal Protective Equipment Regulation in the EU. If you intend to sell in the UK then you must also comply with the UK version of this regulation. In short, workwear must be compliant with the applicable harmonised standards, CE marked, and come with a DoC and technical documentation.
It is therefore important that the manufacturer has experience with manufacturing workwear that are compliant with the applicable harmonised standards. Keep in mind that lab testing is likely required.
| Country/market | Examples |
| EU | 1. Personal Protective Equipment Regulation (EU) 2016/425
2. Textile Labelling and Fibre Composition Regulation (EU) 1007/2011 |
| UK | 1. The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations
2. Textile Products (Labelling and Fibre Composition) Regulations |
| USA | 1. 29 CFR 1910 – Occupational Safety and Health Standards
2. 16 CFR PART 300, PART 301, PART 303 – Textile, Wool and Fur Acts and Rules 3. 16 CFR PART 423 – Care Labeling of Textile Wearing Apparel and Certain Piece Goods as Amended 4. 16 CFR PART 1610 – Standard for the Flammability of Clothing Textiles |
Further, keep in mind that textiles additional labelling requirements that are not specific to workwear may apply. The table above is not a complete list of compliance requirements applicable to workwear.
MOQ requirements
The minimum order quantity primarily depends on the materials. The fabrics suppliers require that the workwear factories procure a certain minimum quantity. As such, the MOQ is often set on a per material and colour basis.
The exact MOQ differs depending on the type of material. Workwear manufacturers in Europe often have standard nylon fabrics in stock which can be offered for a small volume production run – but if you require certain types of fabrics that must be made to order then you can accept a higher MOQ.
Examples
- MOQ (standard fabric/colour): 200 pcs
- MOQ (custom fabric/colour): 1000 pcs
Poltex Workwear Factory, for example, does not have an MOQ requirement. This means that you could buy a single unit. However, most factories in the workwear industry set the MOQ at 200 to 500 pcs.
Poland
Clematis Polska
Clematis Polska is a garment manufacturing company in Wieliczka, Poland that was founded in 1993. Clematis Polska claims to have undergone a Workplace Accountability Audit by Intertek. According to its website, it also abides by corporate social responsibility standards. The company’s customers include Castrol (a lubricant company) and Opera Krakowska (an opera house in Krakow, Poland).
The company began by producing men’s shirts and now manufactures a wide range of custom apparel, such as uniforms and brand collections. Its main products include workwear, industrial apparel, uniforms, and commercial apparel. The company uses both local and imported fabrics to manufacture its workwear products.
Main products
- Restaurant workwear uniforms
- Industrial workwear uniforms
- Medical workwear uniforms
- Orchestra workwear uniforms
Location: Wieliczka, Poland
Poltex Workwear Factory
Poltex was founded in 1998 in Poland. The company has since expanded and now collaborates with Danish company Comtecint to create a workwear brand. Several products on the company’s collection page indicate compliance with standards such as EN 11611, EN 11612, EN 1149-5, and EN 471.
It manufactures custom professional workwear for major companies that it partners with, such as 3M and YKK. It also produces designer clothing for companies such as H&M. Poltex’s main products include professional overalls, coveralls, jackets, and trousers. The company has a range of textiles for customers to choose from. Poltex claims to not have a minimum order, and that it delivers products within 3 to 4 weeks.
Main products
- FR Overalls
- FR Coveralls
- FR and high-visibility jackets
- FR and high-visibility trousers
Location: Golenice, Poland
Rena-Pol
Founded in 1996, Rena-Pol is a Polish company that works with major domestic and international occupational safety and health (OSH) workwear manufacturers. The company’s services include offering a thorough analysis to determine the type of PPE that your manufacturing facility would need. It provides this service in its Ansell Guardian package.
It provides customers with tailored personal protective equipment (PPE) and workwear, such as helmets, gloves, and cleanroom clothing.
Rena-Pol cooperates with multiple brands such as 3M, Honeywell, Protektor, and CoverGuard to provide PPE and OSH products. In addition to protective workwear, Rena-Pol also cooperates with companies such as BOSCH, Knipex, and Reeco to provide maintenance, repair, and operations products.
Main products
- Gloves
- Helmets
- Thermoregulating clothing
- Cleanroom clothing
- Protective clothing against electric shock
- Cut protection clothing
- ESD clothing
- Category I protective clothing
Location: Łódź, Poland
Latvia
Lola Design
Lola Design was founded in 1999 as a family-owned workwear manufacturer in Latvia and is currently a market leader in manufacturing professional workwear and PPE. The company also claims on its website that its safety workwear complies with standards such as EN 61482-1-2, EN 531, EN 470, EN 469, and EN 471. The company’s customers include Latvia’s State Forests (LVM) and Riga International Airport.
Its website informs clients about its service package, which includes design, sewing, and quality control. In addition to manufacturing workwear, safety workwear, and PPE, the company also produces knitwear and sportswear.
Lola Design cooperates with Holik to provide tactical workwear to firefighters, law enforcement, the military, and rescue teams. It also cooperates with Giblor’s to provide professional clothing to hotel chains, restaurants, and medical personnel.
Main products
- Protective jackets, trousers, and overalls against thermal hazards of electric arcs
- Protective jackets, overalls, and trousers for workers exposed to heat
- Protective jackets and overalls for welding and allied processes
- Protective firefighter jackets and overalls
- Professional-use high-visibility warning signal vests, jackets, and t-shirts
Location: Riga, Latvia
Estonia
Balti Uniform
Balti Uniform is an Estonian sewing company that was founded in 2002. The company is a member of the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Its customers include the construction company DiMEX, sportswear company Helly Hansen, textile rental service Berendsen, and women’s corporate clothing company Image Wear.
Since its founding, the company has been manufacturing clothing for leading European workwear wholesalers. It manufactures workwear for professionals such as customs inspectors, construction workers, soldiers, and pilots.
The company uses high-quality fabrics, including anti-static fabrics, to manufacture its products such as vests, anoraks, and overalls. Its services include cutting, manufacturing, quality control, packing, and delivery.
Main products
- Uniform jackets
- Uniform overalls
- Uniform parkas
- Uniform trousers
- Uniform vests
Location: Kohtla-Järve, Estonia
Portugal
SWS WORKWEAR Lda
SWS WORKWEAR Lda is located in Águeda, Portugal. The company distributes its products in the EU markets.
It prototypes and manufactures work clothing, customises workwear according to the client’s needs, and distributes personal protective equipment. The company’s products include safety shoes, helmets, hearing protectors, and gloves. Its product catalogue contains more workwear products.
Its clothing and textile customisation services include industrial embroidery, customised embroidery, and embroidery films. The company can also perform direct-to-film printing, serigraphy, and digital transfer on its workwear. Its additional services include quality control, packaging, shipping, and receiving.
Main products
- Safety shoes
- High visibility vests
- Helmets
- Gloves
- Welder’s sleeves and apron
- Work coveralls
- Work trousers
Location: Águeda, Portugal
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