CEN/TS 14237:2021 EN

Technical specification CEN/TS 14237:2021, titled Textiles for healthcare and social services facilities, was published in CEN on November 24, 2021.

This document specifies the requirements for various groups of products used in healthcare facilities (such as hospitals and sanatoriums) and social care facilities (including nursing homes and hospices).

The products are categorized as follows:

Table 1: Bed linen
Table 2: Pillows and quilts
Table 3: Baby cot quilts (excluding duvet covers), with requirements related to design features and hazards as per EN 16779-1:2018
Table 4: Mattress protectors against liquids
Table 5: Blankets
Table 6: Towels
Table 7: Curtains
Table 8: Clothing for patients (including children)
Table 9: Clothing for staff

Table 3 includes new requirements compared to the previous version of the document, CEN/TS 14237:2015.

It's important to note that this document is not considered a harmonized standard with any EU legal document.

Depending on the specific purpose of the products, additional requirements may need to be met, such as:

waterproofness for mattresses,
liquid absorption for towels,
thermal resistance for quilts,
compliance with additional requirements outlined in EN 16779-1:2018 for children's quilts,
light penetration for curtains and screens,
air penetration and water vapor resistance for clothing.

Please be aware that this document does not cover surgical textiles regulated by EU Medical Device Regulation (EU) 2017/745 or protective clothing governed by EU Personal Protective Equipment Regulation (EU) 2016/425.