Certification according to EU directive 89/686/EC as amended (PPE)

Personal protective equipment (PPE), covered by the European Directive 89/686/EC as amended by subsequent directives and designed to be worn or held by an individual for protection against one or more health and safety hazards are subject to the provisions foreseen in the PPE Directive itself.
PPE also covers:

• a unit constituted by several devices or appliances which have been integrally combined by the Manufacturer for the protection of an individual against one or more potentially simultaneous risks;
• a protective device or appliance combined with personal non-protective equipment worn or held by an individual for the execution of a specific activity;
• interchangeable PPE components which are used exclusively for such equipment.

There are four categories of PPE:

• Category 0 PPE is intended to mean: PPE covered by another Directive, PPE designed and manufactured specifically for use by the armed forces, c) PPE for self-defense, PPE for private use against adverse atmospheric conditions or damp and water or heat, PPE for the protection or rescue of persons on vessels or aircraft, not worn all the time, motor cycle helmets and visors. Such equipment are excluded from the scope of the PPE Directive.
• Category I PPE is intended to mean models of simple design where the Designer can certify that the user can himself assess the level of protection provided against the minimal risks concerned the effects of which, when they are gradual, can be safely identified by the user in good time.
  Such equipment may be placed on the market upon drawn up of a Declaration of Conformity by the Manufacturer and the involvement of a notified body is not required.
• Category II PPE is intended to mean all PPE which is not Category 0, I or III.
  Such equipment may be place on the market once relevant EC Type Approval certificate has been issued by a notified body.
• Category III PPE is intended to mean products of complex design intended to protect against mortal danger or against dangers that may seriously and irreversibly harm the health, the immediate effects of which the Designer assumes the user cannot identify in sufficient time.
  Such equipment may be place on the market once relevant EC Type Approval certificate has been issued and by a notified body and the latter or another notified body has inspected the manufacturing process.

Among the types of PPE covered by the PPE Directive under category II or III, the followings are those for which RINA is notified:

1. LIFEJACKETS AND BUOYANCY AIDS
2. BUOYANCY COMPENSATORS
3. SCUBA (Self-contained underwater breathing apparatus): cylinder support/attachment system, regulators, pressure gauges and flexible hose assemblies, valves
4. DIVING ACCESSORIES
5. HALF MASKS
6. FULL FACE MASKS
7. FULL FACE MASKS FOR SPECIAL USE
8. SELF-CONTAINED CLOSED-CIRCUIT COMPRESSED OXYGEN BREATHING APPARATUS
9. SELF-CONTAINED CLOSED-CIRCUIT COMPRESSED OXYGEN BREATHING APPARATUS FOR SPECIAL USE
10. DECK SAFETY HARNESS AND LINE FOR USE ON RECREATIONAL CRAFT
11. DIVING SUITS (DRY AND WET SUITS)
12. IMMERSION SUITS

With reference to above items, the PPE listed in 1) and 2) are considered Category II, the PPE listed from 3) to 10) and in 12) are considered Category III, while the PPE in 11) may be either Category II or III depending on the temperature at which the equipment is used.
Details are found in the PPE and in the RINA Rules for the certification of personal protective equipment in accordance with European Directive 89/686/EC and subsequent amendments.