EU COMMITTED TO NEW PPE REGULATIONS
Jim Lythgow, Director of Strategic Alliances at Specsavers Corporate Eyecare, takes a look at the new PPE regulations and what they entail.
Any device or appliance designed to be worn or held by an individual for protection against health and safety hazards comes under the EU Directive 89/686EEC, as being Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). This directive was adopted in 1989 by the European Council and has changed very little in the last quarter of a century. It is not surprising, therefore, that the rules are considered in need of updating.
NEW REGULATION Manufacturers must presently ensure their products conform to the EU standards but the technologies involved in bringing PPE products to market have changed considerably over the last few years. A new regulation is, therefore, currently being finalised. It aims to bring PPE standards up to date with modern technology and requirements.
A draft version of the new regulation has already been approved by the European Commission and Parliament. At the time of going to print, the European Council is agreeing the final wording and its decision is expected very soon.
When the new PPE rules are published, it will be as a Regulation, rather than as a directive, as it is now. This means that it will be a binding legislative act, which must be applied precisely by each member country across the EU. The previous directive merely set objectives for each country to achieve in their own way, by a certain date.
Once agreed by the European Council, the new PPE regulation will be printed in full in the Official Journal
12 | Personal Protection 2016
of the European Union. It will then come into force 20 days later. This marks the beginning of a transition period, which is likely to be set at two years. Once this time has elapsed, any existing PPE certificates held by manufacturers will expire and the new Regulation will be fully in force.
A CHANGING FOCUS Under the current PPE Directive, the focus is very much upon the manufacturer. When the new regulations come into force, this is expected to change. The new PPE regulations are anticipated to be effective over the whole of the supply chain, making them relevant to manufacture, supply and distribution. Safety managers, HR professionals and employers should, therefore, familiarise themselves with the new regulations, once they have been published, so that they may be sure that the PPE they are purchasing is from suppliers that meet the new certification standards.
IMPORTANT DISTINCTION There is an important distinction to be made between the current EU Directive 89/686EEC on PPE, which will soon become the new PPE Regulation; and the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at Work Regulations 1992. While these may seem to be one and the same, the former is about ensuring the PPE supplied is to the correct standard of certification, while the latter is about the employer ensuring that the appropriate PPE is provided for the correct circumstances.
RAISING THE BAR The PPE Regulation will ensure that all PPE is supplied to the correct
standards but, there are things that the employer or safety manager themselves can do to ensure greater satisfaction with procured PPE. While PPE may technically be fit for purpose, this is not the same as being a good fit.
It is vital, therefore, that safety managers ensure PPE is comfortable and well-fitting. It is possible to procure PPE in all manner of ways, from ordering online or from catalogues, to personally choosing it from a range of different styles and being able to physically try on different options.
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