New European PPE Regulation on the manufacture and marketing of PPE


The Personal Protective Equipment Directive (89/686/EEC) sets out requirements relating to the design, manufacture and supply of PPE. CE marking on PPE provides evidence of protection under the Directive. The Directive is implemented in the UK by the Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 2002 (PPER) (rather than the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992). The PPER are enforced by Trading Standards Officers.


As of 21 April 2018, Directive 89/686/EEC will be repealed by a new EU Regulation (2016/425). This will slightly modify the scope and risk categorisation of products and clarify the documentation that should be supplied.