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Media Centre >> Knowledge e-news >> Eurofins PPE Bimonthly Bulletin (March-May 2023)

Eurofins PPE Bimonthly Bulletin (March-May 2023)

EUROPE

Update of harmonised standards for personal protective equipment

On 11 May 2023, the European Commission published implementing Decision 2023/941 on harmonised standards for personal protective equipment, drafted in support of Regulation (EU) 2016/425 from the European Parliament and Europe Council.

In Annexe I of this implementing decision, the list of references to harmonised standards for personal protective equipment is given. With this new publication in the Official Journal of the European Union, the implementing Decision (EU) 2020/668 and Communication 2018/C 209/03 is repealed.

However, it shall continue to apply the references of harmonised standards listed in Annexe II to this decision, until the dates of withdrawal set out in that annexe.

For more information and to see the complete list of harmonised standards, visit the Annexes of the official publication here.

Standards updates

The below table summarises the most recent standard updates and upcoming dates of withdrawal (non-exhaustive):

(*) Date of withdrawal: the latest date by which national standards conflicting with an EN (and HD for CENELEC) have to be withdrawn.

CEN
Reference	Title	*Date of withdrawal ()**	Supersedes
EN 14058:2017 +A1:2023	Protective clothing - Garments for protection against cool environments	30 October 2023	EN 14058:2017/FprA1 EN 14058:2017

PRODUCT RECALLS / ALERTS

Below you will find a monthly summary of product recalls and alerts in Europe (Source Safety Gate (RAPEX)).

Europe

RAPEX (European Commission Rapid Alert System for dangerous non-food products – Alerts reported by EU national authorities).

The following 15 alerts regarding Personal Protective Equipment were reported between week 8 and 20 of 2023.

Type of Risk	Number of alerts	Notes
Health risk / other	6	Particle filter mask The particle/filter retention of the material is insufficient. The product does not fulfil the health and safety requirements. The product does not comply with the Personal Protective Equipment Regulation, nor with EN 149.
Chemical	4	Gloves The product contains chromium VI. The product does not comply with REACH Regulation.
Injuries	1	Safety footwear The shoes are not sufficiently resistant to impact and/or compression, allowing a user to be injured. The product does not comply with the requirements of the Personal Protective Equipment Directive, nor with EN 20345.
	1	Climbing chocks Corrosion can occur, significantly reducing the item’s strength and potentially posing a danger to the climber. The product does not comply with the Personal Protective Equipment Regulation, nor with EN12270.
	1	Bicycle helmet The helmet’s fastening system is insufficient. The product does not comply with the Personal Protective Equipment Regulation nor with EN 1078.
	1	Climbing rope The rope breaks too easily. The user may fall and suffer injuries. The product does not comply with the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Regulation, nor with the European standard EN 892.
Suffocation	1	Compressed air breather The pressure line can come loose from the pressure reducer which results in a complete cut-off of the breathing air supply. The product does not comply with the Regulation on Personal Protective Equipment.

OPSS issues Product Safety Alerts to the UK market.

The following 6 alerts regarding Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) were issued between week 9 and week 20 of 2023.

Type of Risk	Number of alerts	Notes
Injuries	3	Immersion suit The product should have been conformity assessed as Category II Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). It is not CE or UKCA marked and there is no Declaration of Conformity as PPE. The product is not compliant with Regulation (EU) 2016/425 as enforced by the Personal Protective Equipment (Enforcement) Regulations 2018.
	3	Life jacket The product should have been conformity assessed as Category III Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). It is not CE or UKCA marked and there is no Declaration of Conformity as PPE. The product is not compliant with Regulation (EU) 2016/425 as enforced by the Personal Protective Equipment (Enforcement) Regulations 2018.
	2	Combination respiratory protection filters The respiratory protection filters do not fully achieve the required particle filtration efficiency. The affected products do not meet the requirements of the Personal Protective Equipment (Enforcement) Regulations 2018.
	1	Arborist activities shackle Reports have been received that the unlock button can be unintentionally pressed and the device inadvertently opened during use. The product does not meet the requirements of the PPE Regulation 2016/425.