European standards (EN standards)
All about european standards for PPE
Knowledge on European Norms (EN)

Following this guide you will be able to better identify EU standards while having a quick reference tool.
As you will discover, we have built many product categories up on our website so that it corresponds very well with the EU Norms and their mutual area.
General information about EU Standards
European standards
- also called EU norms or EN standards
The technical specifications in accordance with PPE products (Personal Protective Equipment) performance specified in European standards, also called EU standards, EN standards or European standards. They are an important issue for business dealing with products for consumers. Although EU standards are fairly unknown to the public and the media, as well as most consumers, it is important to know why they exist and what they do well too. What you get here in rapid succession.
Choosing a product that is certified by a European Norm (depending on the standard) can give you the assurance that the product meets the technical specifications specified in the standard, environmental protection and consumer protection.
NOTE: EU Norms does NOT tell something about choosing the correct product or how it is used.
An EU Norm described with EN (European Norm = European Norm) first and then a number of the standard followed by the year of publication.
Example: EN149: 2001
The above example indicates that this version of the standard dates from 2001. The year is sometimes to emphasize the edition, there is so, for instance. can see that it is the latest standard being referred to.
EU Norm overview
EU Norms extends from being applicable to oil products, industrial computers, apparel, manufacturing and more, and is divided into the following classes:
EN 1–999
EN 1000–1899
EN 1990–1999 (Eurocodes)
EN 10000–10999
EN 11000–49999
EN 50000–59999
EN 60000-69999
None of the 7 above classes apply only to protective equipment. EU standards for PPE spreads says the 7 different categories, so they have different number entries. So one should not expect to see EU standards follow a numerical order in which you will see below.
EU Norms and protective equipment
Protective (also called personal protective equipment) you divide into 6 groups with their associated EU standards as shown in the tables.
Protective Clothing
This category includes EU Norms related requirements and performance of protective clothing, which colloquially mostly has to do with workwear and corporate clothing. As can be seen from the list of EU norms is far reaching, from the workwear for welding, for protection against chemicals and standards for proper workwear for rain. |
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Head protection
Head protection includes everything that has to do with protection of the head, including the face. It includes standards describing the requirements earmuffs, earplugs, helmets, bump caps, hairnets, caps, goggles, etc. To meet. |
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Respiratory protection
EU Norms for respirators are fairly easy to navigate, as there is a good correlation between the EU The standards and the products available on the market. |
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Protection of hands and arms
Protection of hands and arms is everything that has to do with gloves (also known as hand protection) and cover sleeves, sleeve protectors and so on. Is there a glove to be used to professionally use it with great guarantee that it meets a particular EU Norm under the work glove has been designed. A perhaps overlooked area, but quite important when it comes to chemical gloves is the understanding of finding the right glove for exactly what chemicals you work with, and therefore it is not enough just to watch it meets a European Norm (EN 374) to also check the data sheet for the glove and examine whether it is at all suitable for it or the chemicals faced with. |
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Protection of legs and feet
Protection of legs and feet includes knee pads and shoes (also called foot protection). There are some standards here, but it is worth noting that when it comes to footwear, there are really only 3 norms you should know and understand: EN 20345, EN 20346 og EN 20347. |
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Protection against falling and slipping
Protection against falling and sliding covers for the most part it can collectively call fall protection. So make sure (or even better prevent) a person from falling. There are several standards here which seems to address the same, but you noticing i 'that there are different ways to secure and prevent people from falling. To learn more about fall protection, we recommend that you check our Fall Protection Guide. In this you also get a better explanation of what elements (fall protection elements), subsystems and approvals are part of a complete fall arrest system. |
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EU Standards for Gas detectors
For mobile single gas detectors applies :
EN 60079:2006 and EN 60079:2007
For multi-gas detectors applies:
EN 61010-1:2001
Generally, for all three standards apply:
Classification of hazardous gas areas
Electrical installations in hazardous gas areas
Inspection and maintenance of installations in hazardous gas areas
It is recommended to read our ATEX Directive guide.
CE Marking
CE marking, to put it simply, a product movement across borders between countries in the European Union internal market.
This simplifies market surveillance, and also tells users, security officers buyers and counselors that the product meets the essential requirements regarding safety and health of the product. It is of importance to safety at work, public health and consumer protection. CE marking for PPE is compulsory since 1 July 1995.
The legal basis for the requirements for CE marking of Personal protection laid down in "Directive 89/686 / EEC on the approximation of laws relating to personal protective equipment".
The Directive has been implemented in each country's national legislation.
CE and Protective gear
Does the CE mark tell about performance of the PPE?
The technical requirements of PPE performance is specified by European standards, which are so-called harmonized standards or technical description if a harmonized standard does not exist. All important information on the individual performance, comfort and use limitations to be found in the accompanying user manual or on the packaging
Certification procedures
What certification procedures are for the different types of personal protective equipment?
Directive 89/686 / EEC divides all Personal protective equipment in three different categories based on the risk in the work situations in which they are used. The greater the risk the PPE needs to protect against, the more stringent requirements for the certification procedure.
Category I
Some risks can be called minimal. This is where you as a user can easily assess the level of protection that is needed, or where you yourself can safely evaluate the risk in good time before it occurs. Some examples of personal protection in this category are:
gardening gloves
sunglasses
clothing and footwear to protect against bad weather
Certification Procedure:
The manufacturer must prepare a technical documentation upon request may be submitted to the competent authorities = self certification. CE marking of category I products is as follows: CE
Category II
Personal protective equipment belonging to this category are:
Head protection
Facial and eye protection
Clothing, shoes and gloves to protect against common risks
All hearing protection
Certification Procedure:
The manufacturer must deliver product to an authorized test house for an EU type-approval. Also for category II products the marking is as follows: CE
Category III
All Personal Protection Category III is designed to protect against serious or fatal risks can permanently damage the patient's health, or risks that can not be detected well in advance of their occurrence
All respirators
Fall protection equipment
Personal protective equipment to protect against extreme heat (> 100 ° C)
Personal protective equipment for protection against extreme cold (<-50 ° C)
Personal protective equipment to protect against electrical hazards
Personal protective equipment for protection against chemicals and ionizing radiation
Certification Procedure:
On top of the EU type-approval, the manufacturer shall establish a quality control system for the finished product, or any other system that ensures a uniform product quality through regular checks (under the supervision of a notified body).
The marking for category III products is distinct from that of the other two categories
CE 0086 (0086 is an example of an identification number of the notified body that monitors the production control)
Documentation of CE Labelling
There are 3 documents that can be requested to complete the documentation of the Personal Protection:
EU type-approval certificate
Declaration of conformity
Quality Certificate