Personal Protective Equipment traded on the European market must bear a clearly visible CE mark to confirm that the device complies with current EU regulations.
Respiratory Protective Equipment or RPE are devices designed to protect workers from inhaling particles, vapors and gases. They cover part or the whole face and are equipped with filters. Applicable standards specify that they need to be donned in areas free of hazardous substances.
These protective devices are Classified as Category III and, as such, workers using them need to undergo training on their use and must pass specific tests.
Which are the standards that apply to PPE?
The standard that regulates the conformance and use of Personal Protective Equipment is EN 529.
Respiratory protective devices (RPD) may in turn be divided into three categories depending on the filters used:
- particle: for protection against dust and fibres;
- gas: for protection against gases and vapours;
- combined: for protection against both vapours/gas and particles.
According to EU law, Respiratory Protective Devices must bear a visible CE mark to confirm that the device complies with the European Directive 89 / 686 EEC.
How to get the CE mark
Since the device falls under Category III it needs to be tested and certified by a notified body and a declaration of conformity needs to be issued by the manufacturer. Once the device has been certified, the CE mark is to be affixed to both the respirator and the relative packaging. The CE marking must be legible, permanent and located on a part of the device where it is easily identifiable.
European Directive 89 / 686 EEC specifies the requisites a RPD is to have in order to pass testing:
- general requirements such as ergonomics and proper level of protection;
- additional requirements such as setting mechanisms, arrangements to avoid becoming caught up etc;
- specific conditions that are required depending on the type of protective device.
The type of protection to be given to workers must be selected by the employer based on the type of work to be done. The devices chosen must be such as to provide protection against all the risks associated with the particular job.
All Respiratory Protective Devices manufactured by Kasco srl, comply with current standards and are guaranteed by an ISO9001 certified quality system.
Dec 5 2016
Personal Protective Equipment: the importance of the CE mark
Respiratory Protective Equipment or RPE are devices designed to protect workers from inhaling particles, vapors and gases. They cover part or the whole face and are equipped with filters. Applicable standards specify that they need to be donned in areas free of hazardous substances.
These protective devices are Classified as Category III and, as such, workers using them need to undergo training on their use and must pass specific tests.
Which are the standards that apply to PPE?
The standard that regulates the conformance and use of Personal Protective Equipment is EN 529.
Respiratory protective devices (RPD) may in turn be divided into three categories depending on the filters used:
According to EU law, Respiratory Protective Devices must bear a visible CE mark to confirm that the device complies with the European Directive 89 / 686 EEC.
How to get the CE mark
Since the device falls under Category III it needs to be tested and certified by a notified body and a declaration of conformity needs to be issued by the manufacturer. Once the device has been certified, the CE mark is to be affixed to both the respirator and the relative packaging. The CE marking must be legible, permanent and located on a part of the device where it is easily identifiable.
European Directive 89 / 686 EEC specifies the requisites a RPD is to have in order to pass testing:
The type of protection to be given to workers must be selected by the employer based on the type of work to be done. The devices chosen must be such as to provide protection against all the risks associated with the particular job.
All Respiratory Protective Devices manufactured by Kasco srl, comply with current standards and are guaranteed by an ISO9001 certified quality system.
By Kasco Srl • Blog •