Whether a garment is classified as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) depends on the type of risk it is intended to protect against and the level of protection required.

A garment is considered workwear when it serves a purpose of covering the body, identification (uniforms with a company logo), or hygiene, without protecting the worker from specific health or safety risks. A garment, on the other hand, falls under the category of PPE when it is designed to protect the user from one or more identified risks.

Proper classification requires a technical assessment of the risk, the intended conditions of use, and the product’s characteristics, as this determines whether a Notified Body is involved and which certification modules set forth in the Regulation apply. 

Our team of experts is available to analyze the product’s characteristics and provide all the necessary assistance to determine the most appropriate certification path in the shortest possible time.

In general, the required documentation includes the Technical File in compliance with Regulation (EU) 2016/425, the User Information Sheet, and any available test reports—all of which are essential for properly initiating the certification process. Our goal is to provide you with precise support to ensure that your application is approved as efficiently as possible.

If PPE varies in color, materials, or components, it is necessary to assess whether such differences could affect its safety performance and compliance with the requirements of the applicable standards.

Based on the characteristics of the variants, the technical tests necessary to demonstrate that the entire product range remains in conformity with the certified type and the requirements of Regulation (EU) 2016/425 are identified.

A proper technical evaluation of the variants makes it possible to define the certification process in a consistent manner, avoiding unnecessary testing and ensuring a smooth certification process that applies to the entire range of PPE.

If a piece of PPE fails one or more laboratory tests, the result is documented in the test report and analyzed in light of the applicable requirements and the reference standard. A nonconforming result does not automatically lead to the termination of the process, but indicates the need to: identify the causes of nonconformity (e.g., materials, design, or performance), evaluate possible modifications to the product or its components, and define the additional tests necessary to demonstrate updated compliance.

Only after passing the required tests is it possible to proceed with the conformity assessment process set forth in Regulation (EU) 2016/425. A structured approach to managing test results ensures a smooth and consistent certification process, in compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.