Personal protective equipment
Regulation (EU) 2016/425 lays down requirements for the design and manufacture of personal protective equipment (PPE). It aims to ensure the health and safety of users and to allow the equipment to be sold and used throughout the EU.
The PPE may only be sold and used if it complies with the regulation, when properly maintained and used for its intended purpose, complies with the essential health and safety requirements of the regulation and does not endanger the health or safety of people, pets or property.
Legal act:
Regulation (EU) 2016/425
Consolidated act:
31/03/2016 (Languages available: FR, NL, SL, SV)
Legal acts repealed:
Previous guidelines:
PPE Guidelines - Guide to application of the PPE Directive 89/686/EEC - 24 August 2017
PPE Guidelines - Guide to application of the PPE Directive 89/686/EEC - 19 October 2015
Consolidated harmonised standards summary list - 20 May 2020
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2020/668 of 18 May 2020 on the harmonised standards for personal protective equipment drafted in support of Regulation (EU) 2016/425 of the European Parliament and of the Council - OJ L 156 of 19 May 2020
Corrigendum to Commission communication in the framework of the implementation of Regulation (EU) 2016/425 of the European Parliament and of the Council on personal protective equipment and repealing Council Directive 89/686/EEC - OJ C 222 of 26 June 2018
Commission communication in the framework of the implementation of Regulation (EU) 2016/425 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2016 on personal protective equipment and repealing Council Directive 89/686/EEC - OJ C 209 of 15 June 2018
Guidance on CE marking for professionals
Formal objection concerning EN ISO 12402-2-2020, EN ISO 12402-3-2020 and EN ISO 12402-4-2020 for lifejackets - 18 November 2020
Conformity assessment procedures for protective equipment - 10 July 2020
How to verify that medical devices and personal protective equipment - May 2020
List of standards that can help to reduce contagion (i.e. covid-19) - Article of 23 March 2020