Personal Protective Equipment Regulations
The Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 2002 (SI 2002 No 1144) implements into UK law the provisions of the Council Directive 89/686/EEC. It lays down the conditions governing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE ) placed on the market. The free movement within the Community and the basic safety requirements which PPE must satisfy in order to ensure the health, safety and protection of the user.
Overview
The Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 2002 (SI 2002 No 1144) implements into UK law the provisions of the Personal Protective Equipment Directive (PPE) 89/686/EEC.
For the purposes of the PPE Directive 89/686/EEC. PPE means any device or appliance designed for use in domestic, leisure and sports activities or for professional use. To be worn or held by an individual for protection against one or more health and safety hazards in the execution of a specific activity. The scope of the PPE Directive is wide and includes such items for protection such as clothing, footwear and headgear against adverse atmospheric conditions. Damp, water and heat. PPE also includes respiratory protective equipment and equipment intended for the rescue or protection of persons in falls from heights.
The Directive provides for three categories of PPE simple design, complex design, and PPE that is neither simple or complex, known and intermediate. Often referred to as Category one, two and three.
Am I affected?
The manufacturer or person placing the PPE on the Community market has an obligation to ensure the product is designed, manufactured and conformity assessed to the essential requirements of the PPE Directive. Products claiming to have a higher level of protection covered by categories two and three would require the manufacturer or his authorised representative to have submitted the product to a Notified Body for type examination as part of the conformity assessment process.
Although a manufacturer may not claim protective qualities for the product but by its very nature the product could be perceived by the consumer to offer protection the product should legally meet the requirements of the PPE Directive.
A list of Notified/ Approved Bodies approved by the UK and other Member States who can offer advice can be found on the NANDO database.
Consumer Information
The CE marking symbolises the conformity of the product imposed on the manufacturer. When affixed to a product does indicate the product conforms to all applicable provisions and appropriate conformity assessment procedures.
Trading Standards are responsible for enforcing consumer related legislation under the PPE Directive working with government and stakeholders. The objective of monitoring products placed on the market is to verify that they comply with the applicable directive. The EC declaration of conformity and technical documentation relating to the a product must be made available by the person placing the product on the Community market to the market surveillance authority immediately on request.
BIS is responsible for policy advice on the PPE Regulations. However, Trading Standards should be the first point of contact for any concerns.
Latest developments
The European Commission is expected to make a formal proposal to amend the PPE Directive during 2011/12 taking into account the requirements of the New Legislative Framework. No exact timetable is available at present, but Member States will be informed accordingly and be required to carry out a public consultation. Comments made by the wide range of stakeholders on the proposals will be raised by the UK with the European Commission as part of the process.
Contact us
All enquiries relating to the information on this webpage should be sent to Product Regulation .
