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Council Directive of 21 December 1989 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to personal protective equipment (89/686/EEC)

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EU Directives are being published on this site to aid cross referencing from UK legislation. After IP completion day (31 December 2020 11pm) no further amendments will be applied to this version.

  1. Introductory Text

  2. CHAPTER I SCOPE, PLACING ON THE MARKET AND FREE MOVEMENT

    1. Article 1.(1) This Directive applies to personal protective equipment, hereinafter referred...

    2. Article 2.(1) Member States shall take all appropriate measures to ensure...

    3. Article 3.The PPE referred to in Article 1 must satisfy the...

    4. Article 4.(1) Member States may not prohibit, restrict or hinder the...

    5. Article 5.(1) Member States shall regard as in conformity with the...

    6. Article 6.(1) . . . . . . . . ....

    7. Article 7.(1) If a Member State discovers that PPE bearing the...

  3. CHAPTER II

    1. CERTIFICATION PROCEDURES

      1. Article 8.(1) Before placing a PPE model on the market, the...

      2. Article 9.(1) Member States shall notify the Commission and the other...

    2. EC TYPE-EXAMINATION

      1. Article 10.(1) EC type-examination is the procedure whereby the approved inspection...

    3. CHECKING OF PPE MANUFACTURED

      1. Article 11.(A.) ‘EC’ quality control system for the final product

    4. EC DECLARATION OF PRODUCTION CONFORMITY

      1. Article 12.The EC declaration of conformity is the procedure whereby the...

  4. CHAPTER III CE MARKING

    1. Article 13.(1) The CE conformity marking shall consist of the initials...

  5. CHAPTER IV FINAL PROVISIONS

    1. Article 14.Any decision taken in implementation of this Directive and leading...

    2. Article 15.The Commission shall take the necessary steps to ensure that...

    3. Article 16.(1) Before 31 December 1991, Member States shall adopt and...

    4. Article 17.This Directive is addressed to the Member States.

    1. ANNEX I

      EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF PPE CLASSES NOT COVERED BY THIS DIRECTIVE

      1. 1. PPE designed and manufactured specifically for use by the armed...

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

      3. 3. PPE designed and manufactured for private use against:

      4. 4. PPE intended for the protection or rescue of persons on...

      5. 5. Helmets and visors intended for users of two- or three-wheeled...

    2. ANNEX II

      BASIC HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

      1. 1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO ALL PPE

        1. 1.1. Design principles

          1. 1.1.1. Ergonomics

          2. 1.1.2. Levels and classes of protection

            1. 1.1.2.1. Highest level of protection possible

            2. 1.1.2.2. Classes of protection appropriate to different levels of risk

        2. 1.2. Innocuousness of PPE

          1. 1.2.1. Absence of risks and other ‘inherent’nuisance factors

            1. 1.2.1.1. Suitable constituent materials

            2. 1.2.1.2. Satisfactory surface condition of all PPE parts in contact with...

            3. 1.2.1.3. Maximum permissible user impediment

        3. 1.3. Comfort and efficiency

          1. 1.3.1. Adaptation of PPE to user morphology

          2. 1.3.2. Lightness and design strength

          3. 1.3.3. Compatibility of different classes or types of PPE designed for...

        4. 1.4. Information supplied by the manufacturer

      2. 2. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS COMMON TO SEVERAL CLASSES OR TYPES OF PPE...

        1. 2.1. PPE incorporating adjustment systems

        2. 2.2. PPE ‘enclosing’ the parts of the body to be protected...

        3. 2.3. PPE for the face, eyes and respiratory tracts

        4. 2.4. PPE subject to ageing

        5. 2.5. PPE which may be caught up during use

        6. 2.6. PPE for use in explosive atmospheres

        7. 2.7. PPE intended for emergency use or rapid installation and/or removal...

        8. 2.8. PPE for use in very dangerous situations

        9. 2.9. PPE incorporating components which can be adjusted or removed by...

        10. 2.10. PPE for connection to another, external complementary device

        11. 2.11. PPE incorporating a fluid circulation system

        12. 2.12. PPE bearing one or more identification or recognition marks directly...

        13. 2.13. PPE in the form of clothing capable of signalling the...

        14. 2.14. ‘Multi-risk’ PPE

      3. 3. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS SPECIFIC TO PARTICULAR RISKS

        1. 3.1. Protection against mechanical impact

          1. 3.1.1. Impact caused by falling or projecting objects and collision of...

          2. 3.1.2. Falls

            1. 3.1.2.1. Prevention of falls due to slipping

            2. 3.1.2.2. Prevention of falls from a height

          3. 3.1.3. Mechanical vibration

        2. 3.2. Protection against (static) compression of part of the body

        3. 3.3. Protection against physical injury (abrasion, perforation, cuts, bites)

        4. 3.4. Prevention of drowning (lifejackets, armbands and lifesaving suits)

          1. 3.4.1. Buoyancy aids

        5. 3.5. Protection against the harmful effects of noise

        6. 3.6. Protection against heat and/or fire

          1. 3.6.1. PPE constituent materials and other components

          2. 3.6.2. Complete PPE ready for use

        7. 3.7. Protection against cold

          1. 3.7.1. PPE constituent materials and other components

          2. 3.7.2. Complete PPE ready for use

        8. 3.8. Protection against electric shock

        9. 3.9. Radiation protection

          1. 3.9.1. Non-ionizing radiation

          2. 3.9.2. Ionizing radiation

            1. 3.9.2.1. Protection against external radioactive contamination

            2. 3.9.2.2. Limited protection against external irradiation

        10. 3.10. Protection against dangerous substances and infective agents

          1. 3.10.1. Respiratory protection

          2. 3.10.2. Protection against cutaneous and ocular contact

        11. 3.11. Safety devices for diving equipment

    3. ANNEX III

      TECHNICAL DOCUMENTATION SUPPLIED BY THE MANUFACTURER

      1. The documentation referred to in Article 8 (1) must comprise...

      2. In the case of PPE models referred to in Article...

      3. the manufacturer's technical file consisting of: overall and detailed plans...

    4. ANNEX IV

      CE CONFORMITY MARKING AND INFORMATION

      1. The CE conformity marking shall consist of the initials ‘...

      2. . . . . . . . . . ....

    5. ANNEX V

      CONDITIONS TO BE FULFILLED BY THE BODIES OF WHICH NOTIFICATION HAS BEEN GIVEN

      1. The bodies designated by the Member States must fulfil the...

      2. availability of personnel and of the necessary means and equipment;...

      3. Fulfilment of the conditions under 1 and 2 shall be...

    6. ANNEX VI

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