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or select your TÜV Rheinland region / country website:
Category I PPE Products

Category I products

Category I PPE Products

Personal protective equipment (PPE) ensures safety at work and during leisure time. Therefore, it is very important that safety glasses, such as sun glasses, laser safety glasses or other eye protection equipment comply with the legal requirements to ensure their protective function.

The new PPE Regulation 2016/425 took effect in the spring of 2016. The old PPE Directive 89/686 EEC for the testing and certification of personal protective equipment continues to remain valid for another two years, until April 20, 2018. During this time period, manufacturers and distributors of PPE products have time to prepare for the new requirements.

The Different PPE Categories

Different PPE Categories

Different professions have different potentials for risks. The higher the risk potential and the severity of potential injuries, the greater the protective function of PPE and the stricter the regulatory requirements for personal protective equipment.

Therefore, PPE products are classified in different risk categories as specified in the PPE Directive 89/686/EEC. Depending on the category, different assessment of conformity procedures must be followed.

Category I

Products in this category protect against minimal health and safety hazards.

This category includes for example:

  • Sunglasses
  • Ski goggles
  • Sports glasses

Confidence is Good - DIN-Geprüft is Better

Logo DIN-Geprüft

With the recognized and neutral certification mark "DIN-Geprüft", DIN CERTCO offers the manufacturer an opportunity to convince its customers of the quality of its products and supports the buying decision by using our DIN mark - which is a synonym for confidence.

Basis of Testing

The following standards are the bases for testing and certification:

Quality Criterias

They specify the requirements and testing procedures for Category 1 products. The following criteria are subject to the testing:

  • Optical effects of the oculars
  • Optical Aberration
  • Transmission characteristics
  • Artificial ageing
  • General construction requirements (ergonomics)
  • Mechanical requirements
  • Resistance to ignition
  • Testing of coatings
  • User instructiont

The Way to the Mark

Any PPE, which is to be placed on the German and European market, requires a CE Mark. With the CE Mark, the manufacturer is declaring, at its sole responsibility, that his PPE products conform to the requirements of the European Directives (declaration of conformity). In a conformity assessment procedure, the products are tested for compliance with the requirements of the PPE Directive 89/686/EEC.

The procedures that must be included for the CE marking by the manufacturer depend on the PPE category of the product and on the associated risk group.

For the sale of Category I PPE products on the German and European market, the CE Mark is sufficient.

However, by using a voluntary quality seal (e.g. the marks issued by DIN CERTCO, DINplus, DIN-Geprüft, GS etc.), the manufacturer has the option to demonstrate that the product was tested by an independent third party and complies with the product standard

DIN-Geprüft

DIN-Geprüft

DIN-Geprüft is the quality mark for the tested and monitored conformity of a product with the respective requirements contained in the DIN-, DIN EN or DIN EN ISO standards and in certification schemes, as well as for the regularly conducted monitoring of in-factory production controls.

DINplus

DINplus

The DINplus mark is the quality mark for products for which conformity with standards has been tested and monitored and which satisfies additional requirements such as quality and environmental measures during production as well as annual monitoring of the factory production quality control system procedures of the manufacturer. This is the "plus of quality".

GS mark

GS mark

The GS mark is a national safety mark for a product which has undergone testing and regular monitoring or for a quality management system.

Documents

pdf Certification Scheme Eye Protection Category 351 KB Download
pdf Leaflet European Requirements PPE 67 KB Download
pdf Brochure 492 KB Download
pdf Flyer for customers 471 KB Download
pdf General Terms and Conditions 327 KB Download
pdf Testing- Registration- and Certification Regulations 320 KB Download

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

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What are the benefits of having my eye protection equipment tested?

With our independent test mark, which is recognized worldwide, you ensure the trust of your customers and business partners. At the same time, you document compliance with legal requirements and demonstrate the high quality standard of your eye protection equipment. This avoids additional cost and unwanted delays and facilitates a faster access to national and international markets. Furthermore, our experts prepare you well for the transition to the PPE Regulation 2016/425.

What are the changes I can expect with the transition to the PPE Regulation 2016/425?

Combined with the new legal form, the PPE Regulation has a new structure that does not leave room for interpretation on a national level. It also contains revised and expanded definitions and more specific risk categories. This means that the PPE Regulation 2016/425 provides a greater clarity and is easier to understand for all parties involved.

When will the PPE Regulation 2016/425 replace the PPE Directive 89/686/EEC?

The new PPE Regulation 2016/425 took effect on April 20, 2016. The PPE Directive 89/686 EEC for the testing and certification of personal protective equipment continues to still and exclusively be valid for another two years. During this time period, manufacturers and distributors of eye protection equipment have time to prepare for the new requirements. Starting April 21, 2018, only the PPE Regulation 2016/425 will be valid.

What services does DIN CERTCO provide to support me with the transition?

To support you with the transition to the PPE Regulation 2016/425, we offer the following services:

  • Workshops and in-house training
  • Testing to accompany product development

How are PPE products classified by risk groups?

Annex I of the PPE Directive 89/686/EEC specifies three PPE categories. PPE products are classified into a certain risk group according to the expected severity of injury, which the protective equipment is expected to protect against. The categorization of a PPE product is not always clear.

What is a declaration of conformity?

With a declaration of conformity, a manufacturer declares that his products meet all applicable European regulatory requirements. The declaration of conformity is the result of a conformity assessment during which the product is examined for its compliance with the required specifications. This is done by means of the EC type examination certification.

Our experts support you with the conformity assessment and test your products according to the relevant EC regulations, such as the PPE Directive 89/686/EEC and all applicable harmonized standards for PPE products. By affixing the CE Mark on the product, the manufacturer visibly demonstrates his declaration of conformity.

What is a CE Mark?

The abbreviation "CE" means "Communauté Européenne", which is French for "European Community". With the CE Mark, the manufacturer documents the conformity of his products to the European regulatory requirements, i.e. he demonstrates that his goods meet the safety requirements of the European Union. The CE Mark was introduced to simplify the movement of goods within Europe. It is a prerequisite for the marketing of all products on the European markets.

Important: DIN CERTCO does not issue CE Marks. The CE Mark is a declaration by the manufacturer at his sole responsibility, by which he declares to the market surveillance and to the consumers, that his products conform to all applicable European regulations.

DIN CERTCO supports the manufacturer along the way.

Why eye protection?

The eye is our most important sensory organ. Roughly 90% of our sensory impressions are perceived by the eye; no other sense organ supplies us with so much information. Light enables man to recognize and orient himself to his environment.

Light and/or radiation has positive physiological and psychological effects on the human organism; light and light radiation are indispensable for the health and well-being of us all. The positive effects of light occur only within a closely restricted range of the power of light radiation – too much light and radiation damage the eye. Therefore, it is important to protect the skin and the eyes from all forms of harmful influences.

Causes of damage to eyes

Damage to the eyes may occur as a result of a variety of extraneous causes. In the case of mechanical and chemical exposure, these are obvious. It is a different matter, however, when it comes to damage caused by optical radiation. This can arise from natural sources (the sun) or artificial sources (hot objects, welding and cutting with burners, when handling laser equipment, when working on electrical installations).

The effects of optical radiation on the eye

The penetration depth of optical radiation depends on the wavelength. Whilst shortwave radiation (UV radiation) and longwave IR radiation are already absorbed on the surface of the skin or the eye, the visible radiation and radiation in the vicinity of the infrared range of the spectrum penetrates deep into the tissue or skin. The type and seriousness of the effects caused by optical radiation also depend on the intensity of the radiation and the long-term dosage. Potential injuries are varied and usually irreversible.

How is the eye structured?

The essential parts of the human eye are:

  • Cornea
  • Conjunctiva
  • Iris
  • Lens
  • Vitreous body
  • Retina with the fovea, the place where sight is most highly focussed
  • Choroid membrane
  • Sclera

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