PPE Certification in UAE
What is PPE certification?
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is equipment worn to protect the user from health and safety hazards. PPE certification confirms that products are made in line with the relevant harmonized standards and meet the applicable PPE regulation - which also specifies how the products must be manufactured. To be sold in the European market, PPE must comply with Regulation (EU) 2016/425 (the current PPE regulation). Whether for a firefighter, laboratory technician, medical practitioner, or tradesperson, durable, compliant PPE is essential to protect against serious risks.
Testing PPE
A PPE test report from IACS confirms that your product meets the specific requirements of the relevant test standards. We carry out the necessary tests to verify your product's performance. PPE placed on the EU market under 2016/425 must also meet the Essential Health and Safety Requirements (EHSR) set out in Annex II of the regulation. Note that for Category II and III PPE, the EU type-examination certificate must be issued by an EU Notified Body - IACS supports you with the testing and technical file that underpin it.
PPE categories under EU 2016/425
- Category I (minimal risk): g. gardening gloves, sunglasses - protection from superficial risks such as water, cleaning materials, or sunlight. The manufacturer self-certifies (no Notified Body).
- Category II (intermediate risk): g. safety spectacles and goggles, industrial helmets, bump caps, high-visibility clothing. Requires EU type-examination by a Notified Body.
- Category III (serious/fatal risk): g. respiratory equipment, fall-arrest equipment, life vests, chemical-protective clothing. Requires type-examination plus ongoing Notified Body surveillance.
Manufacturers must test their PPE against 2016/425 and compile a technical file documenting the test reports and results.
PPE testing services from IACS
IACS tests PPE across many sectors, including medical equipment and clothing (face masks, N95 respirators, gloves, gowns, face shields, and eye protection), sporting equipment (helmets, elbow and knee pads, wrist and palm protectors), and protective clothing (high-visibility, welding, and heat- and flame-protective clothing).
High-visibility clothing
High-visibility clothing is vital in workplaces such as construction sites, reducing the risk of accidents and injuries, and must meet the relevant health and safety requirements. Key standards include EN ISO 20471 (high-visibility clothing - test methods and requirements). Note that EN 17353 has replaced EN 1150 (and EN 13356) for non-professional and medium-level visibility products.
Medical and other PPE
IACS helps manufacturers confirm the safety and performance of PPE, testing products such as face masks (including reusable fabric masks, medical face masks, and respirators), protective gloves (latex, vinyl, nitrile), and medical and surgical gowns. We also test protective footwear against standards such as EN ISO 20345, EN ISO 20346, and EN ISO 20347.
How to apply?
- Identify your product's PPE category (I, II, or III) under 2016/425
- Test the product against the relevant harmonized (EN) standards
- Compile the technical file with test reports and results
- For Category II/III, obtain EU type-examination from a Notified Body (Category III also needs ongoing surveillance)
- Draw up the EU Declaration of Conformity and apply the CE mark
Contact us to discuss PPE testing and conformity for your products.
Explore more
- CE Marking in UAE - PPE conformity is shown by CE marking
- ISO 45001 Certification in UAE - occupational health and safety management
- Product Certification - all product schemes