We regularly make reference to Test Standards in our web information. This page is to advise what ‘Standards’ means.

Some test protocol are mandatory, some advisory and others may simply represent a standardised kitting list - for example, BS 8599-1 – Part 1: Specification for the contents of workplace first aid kits – to which adherence does not help with your duties under First Aid Regulations but which is simply a guide to what might be a typical requirement in shops and offices.

All PPE distributed in Europe MUST be CE marked. The CE mark means only that the item has a registered manufacturer, or manufacturing agent within the EU and that they, as registered 'Technical File Holders' (TFH) acknowldge reponsibility for the item(s), in conformity with safety and consumer protection laws in force. The CE mark is NOT a mark of Quality Assurance, save that within the warranty conditions of the TFH. The CE mark implies no third party test has been conducted and neither does it imply any qualification or warranty of perfomance for the items.  

In Occupational Safety, PPE falls in to one of three agreed classifications: in accordance with  Article 1 of Directive 89/686/EEC, which defines personal protective equipment as any device or appliance designed to be worn or held by an individual for protection against one or more health and safety hazards.

1. Category I: simple design intended to protect against insult or minor injury (e.g. gardening gloves, footwear, ski goggles)
   
2. Category II: PPE designed to protect against injurious hazards, without immediately mortal danger (e.g. personal flotation devices, and wet suits)
3. Category III: complex design (e.g. Breathing apparatus, SCUBA gear, harnesses, divers’ Dry-suits’ and chemical protection suits)

Directive 89/686/EEC on personal protective equipment does not distinguish between PPE for occupational use and PPE for leisure purposes.
If you are a recreational diver, for example; the equipment you use must comply with the Directive and be accordingly marked.

Listed under are agreed protocols used for testing and certifying competent, the various classes of PPE. Where there is no, internationally agreed protocol and the PPE is of Category 2 or 3 design, then a third party type-test must be devised and made by a (Notified Body) laboratory licensed under the NATLAS scheme – this is presently the case for Diver’s Dry-suits, for example.

After this list, is published that for medical devices, for further reference to items listed in our publications. 

BS EN 140:1999
Half/ Quarter Masks
BS EN 14387:2004+A1:2008
Gas Filters & Combined Filters
BS EN 143:2000
Particle Filters
BS EN 149:2001+A1:2009
Filtering Half Masks to protect against particles
BS EN 12941:1998+A2:2008
Powered Hoods and Helmets
BS EN 12942:1998+A2:2008
Powered air for full/half Masks
BS EN 405:2001+A1:2009
Valved Combined Filtering Half Mask
BS EN 136:1998
Full Face Masks - Class 1, 2, or 3
BS EN 137:2006
Self-contained Breathing Apparatus
BS EN 138:1994
Fresh Air Hose for use with face mask
BS EN 250: 2000
Open-circuit self-contained compressed air diving apparatus. Requirements, testing, marking
BS EN 14143: 2013
Respiratory equipment. Self-contained re-breathing diving apparatus
BS EN 14594:2005
Continuous Flow Compressed Airline Breathing Apparatus
BS EN 402:2003
Self Contained Breathing Apparatus Escape Mask
BS EN 1146:2005
Self Contained Open-Circuit Compressed Air Breathing Apparatus with Escape Hood 

Gas and air cylinders: This link to ISO's web site opens in a new window: http://www.iso.org/iso/products/standards/catalogue_ics_browse.htm?ICS1=23&ICS2=020&ICS3=30&

Hearing protection 

Excessive noise is prevalent in many industries as well as personal pursuits, whether it be a construction worker on a building site; a clay pigeon shoot on a country estate or a DJ at a dance club, whatever the noise exposure, all can have a detrimental effect on the operator or listener over time.  The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 places the level at which employers must provide hearing protection and hearing protection zones at 85 decibels (average/daily exposure). 

The level at which employers must make a workers' risk assessment and provide information and training is now 80 decibels. There is also a ceiling of 87 decibels (taking into account hearing protection) above which workers should not be exposed. 

BS EN 352-1:2002
Ear-muffs
BS EN 352-2:2002
Ear-plugs
BS EN 352-3:2002
Ear-muffs on safety helmet
BS EN 352-4:2001
Level dependent ear-muffs
BS EN 352-5:2002
Active noise reduction ear-muffs
BS EN 352-6:2002
Ear-muffs with electrical audio input
BS EN 352-7:2002
Level dependant ear-plugs 

Eye protection 

Eye protection equipment is used in many situations from industrial to recreational. In many instances the eye protection is integrated into head protection. Many of these integrated systems also offer much more than eye protection, in that they protect the face from impacts, sparks from cutting or welding gear or splashes from molten metals or electrical arcs. 

The PPE Directive (89/686/EEC) for CE marking usually classifies eyewear as that of intermediate design and is graded according to the level of protection it provides. In the case of EN 166:2002 this is marked on the product as a series of letters or numbers to help the purchaser select the correct type of eye protection for the relevant hazard. ‘Non-Safety’ prescription spectacles may not afford the wearer the appropriate level of protection. 

Protection offered - symbol - product with this protection: 

Increased robustness - S - Spectacle
Low energy impact - F - Spectacle
Medium energy impact - B - Goggle
High energy impact - A - Face screen
Droplets/Liquid splash - 3 - Goggle/face screen
Large dust particles - 4 - Goggles
Gas & fine dust particles - 5 - Goggles
Short circuit electric arc - 8 - Face screen
Molten metals & hot solids - 9 - Face screen 

Eye protection standards 

BS EN 166:2002
Personal Eye-protection
BS EN 169:2002
Welding Filters
BS EN 170:2002
Ultraviolet Filters
BS EN 171:2002
Infrared Filters
BE EN 172:1995
Sun Glare Filters for industrial use
BS EN 175:1997
Welders Eye and Face Protection
BS EN 1731:1998
Mesh Face Screens
BS EN 1836:2005
Sunglasses and Sun Glare Filters
BS 4110:1999
Visors for Vehicle Users
BS 5883:1996
Swimming Goggles
BS 7930-1:1998
Racket Sports – Squash Players Eye Protection 

Impact Protection: Helmets
Head protection covers a wide range of products. This ranges from a basic impact helmet such as used by a pedal cyclist, to a sophisticated helmet with integrated respiratory and communications equipment so that the helmet becomes a multi-function device rather than simple protection. The introduction of more stringent standards and improved testing methods means that helmets are now more comfortable for the wearer, a lighter weight construction and improved hygiene.

For legal road use all helmets and visors must be certified as specified by the Road Traffic Act (see Regulation 22.05, BS 6658, BS 4110:1999). As one of the world’s leading test laboratories in protective headwear, BSI is accepted as a technical service provider for the Vehicle Certification Agency, the UK approval authority for Regulation 22.05.

In addition, BSI is the UK test authority for Standards Australia Quality Assessment Systems for vehicle user helmets and visors to AS 1698 and AS 1609 respectively.

In a lot of cases, BSI has reciprocal agreements with many countries worldwide. Kitemark certification is also available for vehicle user helmets.

Helmets and Hard Hats: 

UN ECE Regulation 22.05
Protective Helmets for drivers and passengers of mopeds and motor cycles with or without side-car and for visors fitted to such helmets or intended to be added to them.
BS 6658:1985
Protective Helmets for Vehicle Users
BS 4110:1999
Visors for Vehicle Users
BS EN 1078:2012
Helmets for Pedal Cyclists and for users of Skateboards and Roller Skates
BS EN 397:2012+A1:2012
Industrial Safety Helmets
BS EN 812:2012
Industrial Bump Caps
PAS 017:1995
Riot Helmets for Police Use
PAS 028:2002
Marine Safety Helmets
EN 1385:2012: Helmets for canoeing and white water sports 

Sports Helmets 

Sporting activity is becoming 'global', with national and international regulations that manufacturers need to observe additional to regulations designated by various Competition Governing Bodies. BSI supports manufacturers of both new and well established sporting apparel for Cycling, Rugby, Cricket, Motorsports, Equestrian and much more.
Both the British Equestrian Federation and the Pony Club will allow riders to take part in an equestrian event only when they are wearing a Kite-marked Helmet.

BS EN 7928:1998
Head Protectors for Cricketers
BS EN 1384:2012
Helmets for Equestrian Activities
PAS 015:2011
Equestrian Helmets
BS EN 966:2012
Helmets for Airborne Sports
BS EN 1077:2007
Helmets for Alpine Skiers and Snowboarders

Impact Protection: Body Armour.
Everybody at some time in their life will require protection from the potential of injury. When a product is called into action that saves, limbs, vital organs and other body parts knowing that the product has been tested to conventional limits means everything.
BSI Impact Protection Laboratory tests a wide range of protective products for the body, whether work or sport/leisure related.

BSI certification includes:
• Knee and elbow pads (Motorcycling)
• Knee and elbow pads (Sport)
• Gaiters and protective footwear
• Rugby clothing
• Cricket boxes
• Football shin pads

BS EN 1177:1998
Impact absorbing Playground Surfacing
IRB/REG12/Iss 1/2005
Specific items for Rugby Players’ Clothing (headgear, shoulder padding & banned items)

Glove protection standards 

BS EN 659:2003+A1:2008
Protective gloves - Firefighters
BS EN 374-1:2003
Protective gloves - chemicals & micro organisms
BS EN 374-2:2003
Protective gloves - micro organisms
BS EN 374-3:2003
Protective gloves - chemical permeation
BS EN 388:2003
Protective gloves - mechanical risks
BS EN 407:2004
Protective gloves - heat and fire
BS EN 420:2003+A1:2009
Gloves - general requirements
BS EN 511:2006
Protective gloves - cold 

Footwear.

Some types of footwear are deemed PPE category III and others category II.

BS EN 15090:2006
Footwear for firefighters
BS EN ISO 20345:2011
Safety footwear
BS EN ISO 20346:2004
Personal protective equipment. Protective footwear
BS EN ISO 20347:2012
Occupational footwear

High Visibility Clothing
The standard for high visibility requires that clothing must provide visibility of the user in a hazardous situation under any light conditions by day, and under illumination by vehicle headlights in the dark (24hr visibility). This is especially the case for incidents on or near roads or motorways.

The tests for garments and materials within the standard include material tests for Colour - chromaticity and luminance, Colour fastness and fabric durability tests; Dimensional stability and air permeability and where appropriate, its waterproof properties.

BS EN 471:2003+A1:2007
High visibility clothing

Protective clothing 
All protective clothing will only remain effective if properly maintained and cleaned in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. In the case of Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) protection, the wearer is sealed in an encapsulating high-strength, material suit, fed with breathing-air. The pressure within the suit is kept positive and the exhaled air is removed via exhalation valve(s) creating a positive pressure within the suit to prevent ingress of the contaminant. 

BS EN 464:1994
Protection against liquid and gaseous chemicals, including aerosols and solid particles

BS EN ISO 15025:2002
Protective clothing against heat and flame

BS EN 14605:2005+A1:2009
Protection against chemicals with spray tight connections (Type 4 Equipment)

BS EN 14116:2008
Protective clothing against heat and flame

BS EN 14605:2005+A1:2009
Protection against liquid chemicals with liquid tight connections (Type 3 Equipment)

BS EN 702:1995
Protective clothing against heat and flame

BS EN ISO 17491-4:2008
Protection against liquid chemicals

BS EN 943-1:2002
Protective clothing against liquid and gaseous chemicals,aerosols and solid particles

BS EN 943-2: 2002
Protective clothing against liquid and gaseous chemicals

BS EN 469:2005
Protective clothing for firefighters

BS EN 1073-1:1998
Protective clothing against radioactive contamination

BS EN 510:1993
Protective clothing for use with risk of entanglement with moving parts

BS EN 1073-2:2002
Protective clothing against radioactive contamination.

BS EN 530:2010
Abrasion resistance of protective clothing material

BS EN 1149-1:2006
Protective clothing -electrostatic properties

BS EN ISO 11612:2008
Protective clothing for workers exposed to heat

BS EN 1149-2:1997
Protective clothing -electrostatic properties

BS EN ISO 6529:2001
Protection against permeation by liquids and gases (ISO 6529:2001)

BS EN ISO 10819:1997
Mechanical vibration and shock (ISO 10819: 1996)

BS EN ISO 13995:2001
Protection against mechanical properties (ISO 13995: 2000)

BS EN ISO 13997:1999
Resistance to cutting by sharp objects (ISO 13997: 1999)

BS EN 342:2004
Protection against cold

BS EN 343:2003+A1:2007
Protection against foul weather

Fall Arrest Protection:

BS EN 365:2004. Personal protective equipment used against falls from a height. General requirements for instructions for use, maintenance, periodic examination, repair, marking and packaging British Standards Institution

BS 8437:2005 Code of practice for selection, use and maintenance of personal fall protection systems and equipment for use in the workplace.

There are significant differences between what might be permitted in recreational climbing to what is mandatory for occupational climbing (Height access, Working at Height Regulations).
The differences are too varied and complex to be a part of this, general guide! 

EN 341	EN 341/A1	EN 381-1	EN 353-2	EN 354
EN 355	EN 358	EN 360	EN 361	EN 362
EN 363	EN 364	EN 365	EN 568	EN 795
EN 813	EN 892	EN 958	EN 1095	EN 1891
EN 12277	EN 12278

 

 

 

 

Other fall arrest test protocol; covering equipment for Abseiling to Winches..

Medical Devices (Respiratory therapy) 

Medical device quality management certification  ISO 13485 Quality Management for Medical Devices 

BS 3487-4:1988 (ISO 5361-4:1987)

Tracheal tubes. Specification for tubes of the Cole type

1988.11.30

BS 5724-3.12:1991

Medical electrical equipment. Particular requirements for performance. Method of declaring parameters for lung ventilators

1991.11.29

BS 6155:1990

Specification for tracheal tubes for large animals in veterinary anaesthesia

2001.08.15

BS 7143:1989

Specification for catheter mounts (flexible adaptors) for use with medical breathing systems

2001.11.12

BS EN 12342:1998+A1:2009

Breathing tubes intended for use with anaesthetic apparatus and ventilators

2010.03.31

BS EN 1282-2:2005+A1:2009

Tracheostomy tubes. Paediatric tubes

2010.01.31

BS EN 13544-2:2002+A1:2009

Respiratory therapy equipment. Tubing and connectors

2010.03.31

BS EN 13544-3:2001+A1:2009

Respiratory therapy equipment. Air entrainment devices

2010.03.31

BS EN 1782:1998+A1:2009

Tracheal tubes and connectors

2009.12.31

BS EN 1820:2005+A1:2009

Anaesthetic reservoir bags

2010.03.31

BS EN 794-3:1998+A2:2009

Lung ventilators. Particular requirements for emergency and transport ventilators

2009.11.30

BS EN ISO 10651-2:2009

Lung ventilators for medical use. Particular requirements for basic safety and essential performance. Home care ventilators for ventilator-dependent patients

2009.07.31

BS EN ISO 10651-4:2009

Lung ventilators. Particular requirements for operator-powered resuscitators

2009.06.30

BS EN ISO 10651-6:2009

Lung ventilators for medical use. Particular requirements for basic safety and essential performance. Home-care ventilatory support devices

2009.06.30

BS EN ISO 14408:2009

Tracheal tubes designed for laser surgery. Requirements for marking and accompanying information

2011.09.30

BS EN ISO 17510-1:2009

Sleep apnoea breathing therapy. Sleep apnoea breathing therapy equipment

2009.04.30

BS EN ISO 17510-2:2009

Sleep apnoea breathing therapy. Masks and application accessories

2009.04.30

BS EN ISO 18777:2009

Transportable liquid oxygen systems for medical use. Particular requirements

2009.07.31

BS EN ISO 18778:2009

Respiratory equipment. Infant monitors. Particular requirements

2009.07.31

BS EN ISO 18779:2005

Medical devices for conserving oxygen and oxygen mixtures. Particular requirements

2005.03.24

BS EN ISO 23328-1:2008

Breathing system filters for anaesthetic and respiratory use. Salt test method to assess filtration performance

2008.05.30

BS EN ISO 23328-2:2009

Breathing system filters for anaesthetic and respiratory use. Non-filtration aspects

2009.04.30

BS EN ISO 23747:2009

Anaesthetic and respiratory equipment. Peak expiratory flow meters for the assessment of pulmonary function in spontaneously breathing humans

2009.04.30

BS EN ISO 5361:2012

Anaesthetic and respiratory equipment. Tracheal tubes and connectors

2012.10.31

BS EN ISO 5364:2011

Anaesthetic and respiratory equipment. Oropharyngeal airways

2011.08.31

BS EN ISO 5366-1:2009

Anaesthetic and respiratory equipment. Tracheostomy tubes. Tubes and connectors for use in adults

2009.07.31

BS EN ISO 7376:August 2009

Anaesthetic and respiratory equipment. Laryngoscopes for tracheal intubation

2010.08.31

BS EN ISO 80601-2-12:2011

Medical electrical equipment. Particular requirements for basic safety and essential performance of critical care ventilators

2013.08.31

BS EN ISO 80601-2-61:2011

Medical electrical equipment. Particular requirements for basic safety and essential performance of pulse oximeter equipment

2011.08.31

BS EN ISO 8185:2009

Respiratory tract humidifiers for medical use. Particular requirements for respiratory humidification systems

2009.07.31

BS EN ISO 8359:2009+A1:2012

Oxygen concentrators for medical use. Safety requirements

2013.01.31

BS EN ISO 8836:2009

Suction catheters for use in the respiratory tract

2009.05.31

BS ISO 10651-5:2006

Lung ventilators for medical use. Particular requirements for basic safety and essential performance. Gas-powered emergency resuscitators

2008.05.30

BS ISO 11712:2009

Anaesthetic and respiratory equipment. Supralaryngeal airways and connectors

2009.05.31

BS ISO 16628:2008

Tracheobronchial tubes. Sizing and marking

2009.04.30

BS ISO 81060-2:2013

Non-invasive sphygmomanometers. Clinical investigation of automated measurement type

2013.04.30

BS ISO TR 11991:1995

Guidance on airway management during laser surgery of upper airway

1997.02.15

PD ISO/TR 13154:2009

Medical electrical equipment. Deployment, implementation and operational guidelines for indentifying febrile humans using a screening thermograph

2009.04.30

 Many of the links on this page refer to British Standards Institution web pages, which we acknowledge, together with some of the copy on this page, which has been drawn or edited from BSI's published sources, in the public interest. This listing is intended as a full guide but it is not exhaustive and was up to date until the end of Septmeber 2013.