WHAT IS THE PPE DIRECTIVE AND WHAT ARE THE MAIN CHANGES

What is the PPE directive?
The PPE directive 89/686/EEC covers the manufacture and marketing of personal protective equipment. It defines legal obligations to ensure that PPE on the European market provides the highest level of protection against hazards. The CE marking affixed to PPE provides evidence of this protection.

What is changing?
As of 21st April 2018, directive 89/686/EEC will be repealed by the new regulation (EU) 2016/425 of the European parliament. For that reason The new PPE regulation is aligned to the new legislative framework policy. In addition, it slightly modifies the scope and the risk categorisation of products. It also clarifies the documentary obligations of economic operators (distributors, importers and manufactures).

What are the main changes?

– Moving hearing protection from the category || to category ||| PPE
– Moving life jackets from category || to category ||| PPE
– Issuing a declaration conformity with each PPE or at least link to where it can be obtained
– A compulsory maximum five year certificate validity
– Responsibilities outlined for importers and distributors
– Bespoke PPE covered in regulation

Manufacturers are able to make available on the market under the old directive until April 2019. This means that until April 2019 product can be manufactured but after April 2019 all product made must be to the new regulation.