Granite Explains - BS EN ISO Standards And The CE Mark

The Harmonised European Standards for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) have been developed as the preferred means of demonstrating equipment conformity with the basic health and safety requirements of the European Community Personal Protective Equipment Directive (89/686/EEC). Only equipment which meets these basic health and safety requirements is entitled to carry the CE mark and to be sold for use in the EC.

The alternative route to obtaining the CE mark involves the manufacturer producing a 'technical file' for the equipment which also demonstrates that it satisfies the basic health and safety requirements. In such cases, the equipment will carry the CE mark but may not display any Standard number. The manufacturer's information will contain the performance specification.

 Remember:

• All PPE products must carry the CE mark when used in the European Community.

• All PPE products must have a safety data sheet explaining use, maintenance, washing etc.

• All PPE suppliers (this includes manufacturers, distributors and retailers) are obliged to supply a copy of the BS EN ISO certification when requested by a customer. In this way it should be possible for all end users to trust the validity of the certification and the product.    

• Counterfeit products do exist. As with anything that concerns safety – buy from a trusted source and request this information if you are not sure or if you feel that the product supplied is sub-standard. You may be saving someone else’s life.

For Category III PPE (for use against mortal danger), the CE mark will be accompanied by a four digit code number identifying the responsible notified body appointed to ensure that the product continues to satisfy these basic health and safety requirements.

European Standards (prefixed EN – European Norm) are being superseded by International Standards (prefixed ISO). Where these are adopted in the UK, they will also be issued as British Standards and be prefixed BS. The British versions of standards (BS EN, BS ISO or BS EN ISO) may have minor differences from the original versions of the standard, usually in the form of a National Foreword or National Annex, to account for legislative or technical variations specific to the UK. If such a UK variation exists, this is flagged up in the individual standards. BS versions may also differ slightly in the stated year of issue from the EN or ISO versions.

PPE Standards are separated in to broad categories, depending on the type of protection intended, eg: head protection, foot protection & etc. Separate documents have been produced for each category.

Within a category, where possible, Standards have been further subdivided according to the hazard (eg: mechanical hazards, heat and flame) or component type (eg filters; face-pieces) as appropriate. Standard number and date are given with the title.