Directive 89/686/EEC - personal protective equipment
of 21 December 1989 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to personal protective equipment.
Objective
The aim of the Directive is to ensure the free movement of personal protective equipment (PPE) within the Community market by completely harmonizing the essential safety requirements to which it must conform.
Content
The Directives defines "essential requirements" which PPE must satisfy at the time of manufacture and before it is placed on the market: the general requirements applicable to all PPE; the additional requirements specific to certain types of PPE; and also the additional requirements specific to particular risks.
The Directive details both Essential Health and Safety Requirements (EHSRs) for PPE and the conformity assessment procedures, which for products protecting against more serious risk may require the intervention of a so-called 'Notified Body". Notified Bodies are institutes appointed by the Member States and which are to be at the service of the manufacturer wherever the Directive requests for third party intervention (EC type examination, approval and monitoring of quality assurance systems).
The CE marking in this field was introduced by Directive 93/68/EC.
Read the full text of the consolidated version of the Directive (including later amendments)
Read the full text of the original Directive (without amendments)
National laws implementing this Directive
Further information on this topic
See also information of the European Commission - Enterprise and Industry
