CE Marking of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)


Regulation (EU) 2016/425 (as previously the Directive 89/686) governs devices designed and manufactured to be worn or kept by a person to protect themselves from one or more risks to their health or safety and establishes the essential requirements to which they must meet.

Personal protective equipment is divided into three categories (I, II and III) which, depending on the risk, provide for a different conformity assessment procedure.

CATEGORY I (minimum risks): the manufacturer declares, under his sole responsibility, that the PPE satisfies the applicable requirements of the regulation (prepares the technical documentation and an adequate manufacturing and control process to ensure compliance).

CATEGORY II (PPE protecting from risks that are not minor but not fatal): a notified body examines the technical design of the PPE and verifies that it meets the requirements of the regulation. Specifically, the type examination involves the analysis of technical documentation and the execution of tests on a representative sample of the expected production.

CATEGORY III (serious risks): the conformity assessment procedure is the same as for category II, to which are added periodic factory visits to verify the conformity of the PPE to the certified type, by taking samples to be tested in the laboratory or by checking the quality system.
 
CSI, Notified Body No. 0497, is notified for the following Personal Protective Equipment:

  • Individual head protection devices
  • Personal protective equipment for the face and eyes
  • Individual hand and arm protection devices
  • Individual body protection devices
  • Individual flotation devices
  • Individual protection devices against drowning
  • Individual protective devices against substances and mixtures dangerous to health.

CSI is also an accredited laboratory according to UNI EN ISO / IEC 17025 for various harmonized standards, including:

  • EN 397: Protective helmets for industry
  • EN 443: Helmets for firefighting in buildings and other structures
  • EN 1077: Helmets for alpine skiing and snowboarding
  • EN 1078: Helmets for cyclists and for users of skateboards and roller skates
  • EN 12492: Mountaineering equipment - Helmets for mountaineers

To check the complete list of accredited tests: https://www.accredia.it/

CSI, in collaboration with Centro Tessile Serico, has significantly expanded the services offered for the certification of PPE for the protection of the body.

Centro Tessile Serico has a laboratory equipped to perform all the tests, physical, mechanical, dyeing, reaction to fire, chemical and eco-toxicological characterization from fibers to finished garments, including chemical products used in the textile industry. 

Examples of standards for which Centro Tessile is able to carry out tests are:

  • EN ISO 14116 heat and flame with limited propagation
  • EN ISO 11612 heat and flame
  • EN 469 firefighters
  • EN ISO 20471 high visibility clothing
  • EN 343 protection against rain.

With effect from 21 April 2018, Regulation (EU) 2016/425 replaced Directive 89/686 / EEC.

CE certification certificates and approvals issued in accordance with Directive 89/686 / EEC remain valid until April 21, 2023, unless they expire before that date.

 Tool to certify, though an official recognized third-party body endorsement, that the company is compliant to the requirement... Tool to certify the capability of an organization to gain and maintain steadily, service standard declared to the public... Formal act of a third-party body that certify the conformity of the product technical reference documents, marketing deed to enhance and diversify the product... For years the training offered by IMQ group represented a point of reference for professional development and the update of freelance and employees. Second and third-party, inspections and testing: expert auditors capable to understand the situation of the company... CSI boasts skills matured in over 50 years of activity. IMQ Group is a brand recognized by the market as a synonym of safety and quality, and an internationally recognized partner, appreciated member of the main international regulatory working groups. CSI combines the certification of products-processes-services with the activities of specialised laboratories operating on a wide range of goods. CSI is an internationally recognised brand and partner, a valued member of the main international regulatory working groups. All CSI staff are obliged to strictly observe professional secrecy. CSI technicians use English as their primary language, and French and German in technical and commercial communications outside Italy. CSI builds its testing and certification services on customer needs. Since the 60' CSI has been working to anticipate the future, to make the present safer.