Guide to application of the directive 89/686/EEC on Personal Protective Equipment - Appendix

1.11 Appendix: Guide for the categorisation of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)24

Summary of the provisions of Directive 89/686/EEC concerning categorisation of PPE, according to the level of risk the intended user is protected against (more explanation about this can be found in the guidance document on the PPE Directive).

definition of PPE (article 1.2)

PPE shall mean any device or appliance designed to be worn or held by an individual for protection against one or more health and safety hazards.

PPE shall also cover:

1.1. a unit constituted by several devices or appliances which have been integrally combined by the manufacturer for the protection of an individual against one or more potentially simultaneous risks (article 1.2 (a))

1.2. a protective device or appliance combined, separably or inseparably, with personal non-protective equipment worn or held by an individual for the execution of a specific activity (article 1.2 (b))

1.3. interchangeable PPE components which are essential to its satisfactory functioning and used exclusively for such equipment (article 1.2. (c))

1.4. any system placed on the market in conjunction with PPE for its connection to another external, additional device shall be regarded as an integral part of that equipment even if the system is not intended to be worn or held permanently by the user for the entire period of risk exposure (article 1.3)

equipment excluded from the scope of the PPE Directive, referred to in this document as category 0

2.0. PPE covered by another Directive designed to achieve the same objectives as this Directive with regard to placing on the market, free movement of goods and safety (article 1.4 first indent)

2.1. PPE designed and manufactured specifically for use by armed forces or in the maintenance of law and order (helmets, shields, etc.) (Annex I item 1)

2.2. PPE for self-defence (aerosol canisters, personal deterrent weapons, etc.) (Annex I item 2)

2.3. PPE designed and manufactured for private use against:
• Adverse atmospheric conditions (headgear, seasonal clothing, footwear, umbrellas, etc.)
• Damp and water (dish-washing gloves, etc.)
• Heat (gloves, etc.) (Annex I item 3)

2.4. PPE intended for the protection or rescue of persons on vessels or aircraft, not worn all the time (Annex I item 4)

2.5. Helmets and visors intended for users of two- or three-wheeled motor vehicles (Annex I item 5, added by Directive 93/95/EEC)

categorisation

3.1. PPE classified as category I (article 8.3)
PPE of simple design where the designer assumes the user can himself assess the level of protection provided against the minimal risks concerned the effects of which, when they are gradual, can be safely identified by the user in good time.
This category shall cover exclusively PPE intended to protect the user against:
3.1.1. mechanical action whose effects are superficial (gardening gloves, thimbles, etc.)
3.1.2. cleaning materials of weak action and easily reversible effects (gloves affording protection against diluted detergent solutions, etc.)
3.1.3. risks encountered in the handling of hot components which do not expose the user to a temperature exceeding 50 °C or to dangerous impacts (gloves, aprons for professional use, etc.)
3.1.4. atmospheric agents of a neither exceptional nor extreme nature (headgear, seasonal clothing, footwear, etc.)
3.1.5. minor impacts and vibrations which do not affect vital areas of the body and whose effects cannot cause irreversible lesions (light anti-scalping helmets, gloves, light footwear, etc.)
3.1.6. sunlight (sunglasses)

3.2. PPE classified as category II (article 8.2)
This category shall cover all PPE not mentioned under items 3.1. or 3.3.

3.3. PPE classified as category III (article 8.4)
PPE of complex design intended to protect against mortal danger or against dangers that may seriously and irreversibly harm the health, the immediate effects of which the designer assumes the user cannot identify in sufficient time.
This category shall cover exclusively:
3.3.1. filtering respiratory devices for protection against solid and liquid aerosols or irritant, dangerous, toxic or radiotoxic gases
3.3.2. respiratory protection devices providing full insulation from the atmosphere, including those for use in diving
3.3.3. PPE providing only limited protection against chemical attack or against ionizing radiation
3.3.4. emergency equipment for use in high-temperature environments the effects of which are comparable to those of an air temperature of 100 °C or more and which may or may not be characterized by the presence of infra-red radiation, flames or the projection of large amounts of molten material
3.3.5. emergency equipment for use in low-temperature environments the effects of which are comparable to those of an air temperature of -50 °C or less
3.3.6. PPE to protect against falls from a height
3.3.7. PPE against electrical risks and dangerous voltages or that used as insulation in high-tension work

PART 1: per type of PPE

Type of PPE		Certification category	Reason
1.	Equipment for hearing protection	Certification category	Reason
1.1	All equipment protecting hearing (whether worn in or over the ear)	II	3.2.
Except
1.2	Ear plugs intended for swimmers to prevent water entering the ears	0	PPE definition

Type of PPE		Certification category	Reason
2.	Equipment for hearing protection	Certification category	Reason
2.1	All eye protectors and filters	II	3.2.
Except:
2.2	Eye protectors and filters designed and manufactured for use in high-temperature environments the effects of which are comparable to those of an air temperature of 100 °C or more and which may or may not be characterised by the presence of infra-red radiation, flames or the projection of large amounts of molten material	III	3.3.4.
2.3	Eye protectors and filters designed and manufactured to provide protection against ionising radiation	III	3.3.3.
2.4	Eye protectors and filters designed and manufactured to provide protection against electrical risks	III	3.3.7.
2.5	Swimming and/or diving goggles and masks	I	3.1.1.
2.6	Eye protectors and filters designed and manufactured exclusively to provide protection against sunlight, sun glasses (not corrective) for private and professional use. This includes cases where glasses are tinted after manufacturing or any other assembly after manufacturing (e.g. assembly of sunlight protective lenses in a non CE marked frame)	I	3.1.6.
2.7	Ski goggles of all types, except corrective spectacles	I	3.1.6.
2.8	Corrective spectacles including corrective sunglasses Note: where corrective spectacles provide protection other than protection against sunlight (e.g. against impact, abrasive projections, etc.), they are classified as personal protective equipment of the category corresponding to the hazard in question solely in respect of their protective features.	0	Medical use
2.9	Visors incorporated into helmets designed and manufactured for use with two- or three-wheeled motor vehicles	0	2.5.

Type of PPE		Certification category	Reason
3.	Equipment for protection against falls from a height	Certification category	Reason
3.1	All protective equipment designed and manufactured to provide protection against falls from a height, for private or professional use (working at heights, falling off boats, mountaineering, rock climbing, speleology, etc.). This category also includes equipment for working at a height and with support (harnesses, thigh straps, belts, etc.) Note: this equipment includes harnesses (thigh straps, shoulder belts, etc.) and all accessories intended for attaching a person to a structure, with the exception of anchorage points forming an integral part of the structure or rock face. - For example: for professional use: lanyards, mobile fall arresters, karabiners, energy absorbers, connectors, anchor points, etc. - For mountaineering, rock climbing, and speleology: connectors (simple ropes), ropes for abseiling (double ropes), slings, climbing karabiners, rope clamps, chocks, pitons, ice pitons, gripping devices for use on artificial climbing walls, etc. Note: the categorisation is not influenced by the fact that the equipment is factory made/assembled or produced/assembled by the (employer) user himself (e.g. double lanyards).	III	3.3.6.
Except:
3.2	Anchorage points forming an integral part of the structure or rock face Example: Anchor devices of classes A, C and D according to EN 795:199625	0	Definition PPE
3.3	Equipment for accessing or leaving positions at a height (winch seats, descenders not fitted with a built-in speed-regulating system, etc.)	0	Definition PPE
3.4	Equipment for climbing, rock climbing, speleology etc. (ice-axes, hammers, descenders not fitted with a built-in speed-regulating system, rope-climbing equipment, etc.)	0	Definition PPE
3.5	Support equipment (harnesses, etc.) designed and manufactured for use with parachutes, paragliders, hanggliders, etc. and which cannot be used for purposes other than those for which they were designed	0	Definition PPE
3.6	Emergency parachutes	0	2.4.

Type of PPE		Certification category	Reason
4.	Equipment for head protection	Certification category	Reason
4.1	All helmets, including sports helmets	II	3.2.
Except:
4.2	Helmets designed and manufactured for use in high-temperature environments the effects of which are comparable to those of an air temperature of 100°C or more and which may or may not be characterised by the presence of infra-red radiation, flames or the projection of large amounts of molten material	III	3.3.4.
4.3	Helmets designed and manufactured to provide protection against electrical risks	III	3.3.7.
4.4	Light headgear designed and manufactured to provide scalp protection	I	3.1.5.
4.5	Helmets designed and manufactured for riders of 2- or 3- wheeled motor vehicles, including racing helmets Note: car racing helmets are not excluded from the PPE directive and thus PPE category II.	0	2.5.
4.6	Helmets designed and manufactured specifically for use by the armed forces or in the maintenance of law and order	0	2.1.

Type of PPE		Certification category	Reason
5.	Equipment for part or whole face protection	Certification category	Reason
5.1	All equipment	II	3.2.
Except:
5.2	Equipment designed and manufactured for use in high-temperature environments the effects of which are comparable to those of an air temperature of 100°C or more and which may or may not be characterised by the presence of infra-red radiation, flames or the projection of large amounts of molten material	III	3.3.4.
5.3	Equipment designed and manufactured for use in low-temperature environments the effects of which are comparable to those of an air temperature of -50°C or less	III	3.3.5.
5.4	Equipment designed and manufactured to provide protection against electrical risks	III	3.3.7.
5.5	Visors designed and manufactured for incorporation into helmets used by riders of 2- or 3-wheeled motor vehicles, including racing visors	0	2.5.

Type of PPE		Certification category	Reason
6.	Protective clothing	Certification category	Reason
6.1	All items of clothing and/or accessories (whether or not detachable) designed and manufactured to provide specific protection Remark: this category includes also: protective clothing used for sports activities such as diving suits, protective clothes for waterskiing, etc.; bullet-proof clothing used by other than the armed forces (for instance security guards); clothing protecting against infective agents used by other than the armed forces.	II	3.2.
Except:
6.2	Clothing and/or accessories (whether or not detachable) designed and manufactured to provide protection against electrical risks	III	3.3.7.
6.3	Clothing and/or accessories (whether or not detachable) designed and manufactured for use in high-temperature environments the effects of which are comparable to those of an air temperature of 100 °C or more and which may or may not be characterised by the presence of infra-red radiation, flames or the projection of large amounts of molten material	III	3.3.4.
6.4	Clothing and/or accessories (whether or not detachable) designed and manufactured for use in low-temperature environments the effects of which are comparable to those of an air temperature of -50 °C or less	III	3.3.5.
6.5	Clothing and/or accessories (whether or not detachable) designed and manufactured to provide only limited protection against chemical attack or against ionising radiation Note: the manufacturer shall indicate the products against which protection is provided, and the time for which such protection lasts.	III	3.3.3.
6.6	Clothing and/or accessories (whether or not detachable) designed and manufactured to provide complete insulation from the atmosphere	III	Equivalent to 3.3.2.
6.7	Clothing and/or accessories (whether or not detachable) designed and manufactured to provide protection against weather conditions which are neither exceptional nor extreme, for professional use	I	3.1.4.
6.8	Clothing and/or accessories (whether or not detachable) designed and manufactured to provide protection against mechanical action the effects of which are superficial	I	3.1.1.
6.9	Clothing and/or accessories (whether or not detachable) designed and manufactured to provide protection against risks arising from handling hot components which do not expose the user to a temperature of over 50 °C or to dangerous impacts	I	3.1.3.
6.10	Clothing and/or accessories (whether or not detachable) designed and manufactured specifically for use by the armed forces or in the maintenance of law and order, including bullet-proof clothing or jackets, clothing protecting against biological contamination or ionising radiation Remark: the given examples of garments used by others than armed forces or maintenance of law and order, are PPE and to be categorised depending on the type of risk they provide protection against.	0	2.1.
6.11	Clothing and/or accessories (whether or not detachable) designed and manufactured to provide protection against adverse atmospheric conditions for private use	0	2.3.
6.12	Ordinary clothing and/or accessories (whether or not detachable) or sports clothing and/or accessories (not providing specific protection), including uniforms	0	2.3.
6.13	Motorcyclists' garments and additional protection. See point 14

Type of PPE		Certification category	Reason
7.	Respiratory protective equipment	Certification category	Reason
7.1	All respiratory protective equipment (however described) designed and manufactured to provide protection against solid aerosols, liquid aerosols or gases All respiratory protective equipment designed and manufactured to provide full insulation from the atmosphere; all respiratory protective equipment designed and manufactured for use in diving	III	3.3.1. and 3.3.2.
Except:
7.2	All respiratory protective equipment designed and manufactured specifically for use by the armed forces or in the maintenance of law and order	0	2.1.
7.3	Surgical masks Note: where such masks are intended to protect the wearer against microbial and viral infections, etc. they are in certification category III (personal protection rather than medical use).	0	Medical use
7.4	Nose plugs intended for swimmers to prevent water entering the nose	0	PPE definition

Type of PPE		Certification category	Reason
8.	Equipment for leg and/or foot and anti-slip protection	Certification category	Reason
8.1	All equipment and/or accessories (whether or not detachable) designed and manufactured specifically to protect the foot and/or the leg and to provide anti-slip protection Note: Protection against static electricity is included in this category since this equipment is used in environments with potential risk of explosion.	II	3.2.
Except:
8.2	Equipment and/or accessories (whether or not detachable) designed and manufactured to provide protection against electrical risks for work involving dangerous voltages, or used to provide insulation against high voltages	III	3.3.7.
8.3	Equipment and/or accessories (whether or not detachable) designed and manufactured for use in high-temperature environments the effects of which are comparable to those of an air temperature of 100 °C or more and which may or may not be characterised by the presence of infra-red radiation, flames or the projection of large amounts of molten material	III	3.3.4.
8.4	Equipment and/or accessories (whether or not detachable) designed and manufactured for use in low-temperature environments the effects of which are comparable to those of an air temperature of -50 °C or less	III	3.3.5.
8.5	Equipment and/or accessories (whether or not detachable) designed and manufactured to provide only limited protection against chemical attack or ionising radiation Note: the manufacturer shall indicate the products against which protection is provided, and the time for which such protection lasts.	III	3.3.3.
8.6	Sports equipment (in particular sport shoes) and/or accessories (whether or not detachable) designed and manufactured to protect against minor impacts and vibrations which do not affect vital areas of the body and whose effects cannot cause irreversible lesions Note: sport shin-guards (e.g. for football, hockey) and protective equipment are generally category 2 unless designed only for protection against minor impacts.	I	3.1.5.
8.7	Equipment and/or accessories (whether or not detachable) designed and manufactured to provide protection against weather conditions which are neither exceptional nor extreme, for professional use	I	3.1.4.
8.8	Equipment and/or accessories (whether or not detachable) designed and manufactured to provide protection against atmospheric conditions, for private use	0	2.3.
8.9	Equipment and/or accessories (whether or not detachable) designed and manufactured specifically for use by the armed forces or in the maintenance of law and order, including equipment protecting against biological contamination or ionising radiation	0	2.1.
8.10	Some shoes, in particular sports shoes, contain components intended to absorb shock when walking, running, etc. or to ensure a good grip or stability. These components are to be regarded as being intended to increase comfort Note: this category includes in particular football and spiked running shoes.	0	Definition PPE

Type of PPE		Certification category	Reason
9	Equipment for hand and arm protection	Certification category	Reason
9.1	All equipment and/or accessories (whether or not detachable) designed and manufactured specifically to protect the arm and/or the hand Note: this includes all garments protecting the hand or part of the hand, including gloves, fingerless gloves, mittens, garments protecting the fingers only or the palm only, etc.	II	3.2.
Except:
9.2	Equipment and/or accessories (whether or not detachable) designed and manufactured to provide protection against electrical risks for work involving dangerous voltages, or used to provide insulation against high voltages.	III	3.3.7.
9.3	Equipment and/or accessories (whether or not detachable) designed and manufactured for use in high-temperature environments the effects of which are comparable to those of an air temperature of 100 °C or more and which may or may not be characterised by the presence of infra-red radiation, flames or the projection of large amounts of molten material, including fire-fighters' equipment.	III	3.3.4.
9.4	Equipment and/or accessories (whether or not detachable) designed and manufactured for use in low-temperature environments the effects of which are comparable to those of an air temperature of -50 °C or less	III	3.3.5.
9.5	Equipment and/or accessories (whether or not detachable) designed and manufactured to provide only limited protection against chemical attack or ionising radiation Note: the manufacturer shall indicate the products against which protection is provided and the time for which such protection lasts.	III	3.3.3.
9.6	Equipment and/or accessories (whether or not detachable) designed and manufactured to protect against cleaning materials of weak action (for dishwashing, cleaning etc.), for professional use	I	3.1.2.
9.7	Equipment and/or accessories (whether or not detachable) designed and manufactured to provide protection against mechanical action the effects of which are superficial (pricks due to sewing, gardening, dirty work, sports (including bag gloves for boxing), etc.)	I	3.1.1.
9.8	Equipment and/or accessories (whether or not detachable) designed and manufactured to protect against heat and risks encountered in the handling of hot components which do not expose the user to a temperature exceeding 50 °C or to dangerous impacts and against unexceptional cold weather, for professional use	I	3.1.3. and 3.1.4.
9.9	Gloves and finger guards for medical use in the patient's environment	0	Medical use
9.10	Gloves designed and manufactured to provide protection against adverse atmospheric conditions, damp and water or heat or cold for private use	0	2.3.
9.11	Equipment and/or accessories (whether or not detachable) designed and manufactured specifically for use by the armed forces or in the maintenance of law and order, including equipment protecting against biological contamination or ionising radiation	0	2.1.
9.12	Boxing gloves Note: bag gloves are PPE category I	0	Definition of PPE
9.13	Dry gloves for divers	II	3.2

PART 2: per type of risk

Remark: the tables in this part contain all type of PPE and are not in contradiction with the tables in part 1. These are only given for further clarification.

Type of PPE		Certification category	Reason
10.	Equipment designed to prevent drowning or for use as buoyancy aids	Certification category	Reason
10.1	All equipment designed and manufactured to prevent drowning or for use as buoyancy aids, including swimming aids and inflatable buoys which are not regarded as toys (for use exclusively in shallow water) Note: Includes crampons, ropes and other equipment used to get out of water after falling through ice. Also included: swimming suits with incorporated floats. Also included: swimming armbands	II	3.2.
Except:
10.2	Life-buoys and life-jackets for emergency use by ship and aircraft passengers Note: the terms "ship" and "aircraft" refer exclusively to those carrying passengers and to seagoing vessels subject to the international conventions of the IMO. Pleasure craft (motor boats and sailing boats), fishing boats, working boats, etc. are not included in this category.	0	2.4.
10.3	Buoyancy aids that are not worn but held by the user (such as foam boards, etc.)	0	PPE definition
10.4	Buoyancy aids that are not designed to be kept in place while worn or assure the upright position of the wearer (such as 'tyre type' buoys, floating belts, etc.)	0	PPE definition

Type of PPE		Certification category	Reason
11.	Equipment for protection against electrical risks	Certification category	Reason
11.1	Equipment for protection against electrical risks Note: Dangerous voltages means a voltage equal to or exceeding 50 V alternating current or 75 V direct current	III	3.3.7.
Except:
11.2	Hand-held insulating tools	0	PPE definition
11.3	Protective equipment (such as shoes, garments, etc.) against static electricity Note: this equipment is used in environments with potential risk of explosion.	II	3.2.

Type of PPE		Certification category	Reason
12.	Equipment designed and manufactured to protect against the result of mechanical action	Certification category	Reason
12.1	All PPE designed and manufactured to protect the wearer against vibrations	II	3.2.
12.2	PPE designed and manufactured to protect the skin of the user against friction (e.g. patches)	I	3.1.5.
12.3	PPE designed and manufactured to protect the wearer against increased risk levels arising from impacts with other persons or from falling while performing sports (e.g. backprotectors for mountainbikers, football shin-guards, ice hockey protectors, …)	II	3.2.
12.4	PPE designed and manufactured to protect the wearer against impacts resulting from g-forces (e.g. karting collar, racing neck braces, …)	II	3.2.
Except:
12.5	Equipment protecting against minor impacts and vibrations which do not affect vital areas of the body and whose effects cannot cause irreversible lesions (such as light anti-scalping helmets, gloves, light footwear, etc.)	I	3.1.5.
12.6	Sports equipment protecting against minor impacts from falling (protection against bruises, abrasion, light burns, …), such as volleyball knee pads, ...	I	3.1.5.
12.7	Some equipment designed and manufactured to enhance comfort and performance such as footwear and gloves, e.g. running shoes and sport gloves containing components intended to absorb shock when walking, running etc. or to ensure a good grip or stability	0

Type of PPE		Certification category	Reason
13.	Rescue equipment	Certification category	Reason
13.1	Resuscitation masks: if the mask has, apart from allowing adequate artificial breathing, also a protective function for the rescuer (protection against contagion by contact with the mouth of the victim for instance) then they are PPE	Depending on the type of protection
13.2	If the rescue equipment is worn before the accident which prompts the rescue, then it is PPE Example: a wet suit worn continuously to prevent hypothermia in the event of falling into water is PPE.	Depending on the type of protection
Except:
13.3	If the rescue equipment is placed on the person after the accident occurs, it is not a PPE Example: a sling used to rescue an unconscious person from an inaccessible point.	0	PPE definition

Type of PPE		Certification category	Reason
14.	Motorcyclists' equipment	Certification category	Reason
14.1	Motorcyclists' helmets	0	2.5
14.2	Motorcyclists' garments and additional protection such as gloves for private use as long as only protection against climatic conditions are provided	0	2.3
Except:
14.3	Motorcyclists' garments and additional protection (e.g. gloves, boots) only protecting against climatic conditions for professional use	I	3.1.4
14.4	Motorcyclists' garments and additional protection (e.g. gloves, footwear) for which additional protection is provided (e.g. impact protectors for limb or back, pads for elbow or shoulders, protection against cuts and abrasion, …)	II.

Type of PPE		Certification category	Reason
15	High visibility clothing and accessories	Certification category	Reason
15.1	High visibility clothing	II	3.2.
15.2	High visibility accessories (e.g. free hanging accessories such as dangling tags)	II	3.2.
Except:
15.3	High visibility gadgets (e.g. reflective keyrings, backpacks with reflective and/or fluorescent material, …)	0	Definition of PPE

24 It should be stressed that when establishing the proper category for PPE, the level of risk it provides protection against evidently needs to be considered.

25 The readers attention is drawn to the Warning published in the OJEU (2000/C 40/05) regarding EN 795:1996 :
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:C:2000:040:0007:0007:EN:PDF pdf