On 16 June 2026, the European Commission adopted Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1279, introducing an updated list of harmonised standards for personal protective equipment (PPE) under Regulation (EU) 2016/425. The updated list consolidates all currently valid harmonised PPE standards into a single legal act, providing greater clarity for manufacturers, notified bodies and market surveillance authorities.
Among the most significant updates are the publication of references to several new standards, including:
Several previously harmonised standards were revised and will be progressively withdrawn. These include:
To facilitate a smooth transition, the Commission has established deferred withdrawal dates, with several legacy standards remaining valid until late 2027.
On 11 June 2026, the European Commission launched an initiative to review the classification of certain risks covered by the personal protective equipment (PPE) regulation, potentially leading to changes in how specific PPE products are assessed and certified before being placed on the EU market. The initiative is currently under preparation, with adoption of a delegated regulation planned for the fourth quarter of 2026.
For more information, please visit the European Commission website here.
Below you will find a monthly summary of product recalls and alerts in Europe (Source: Safety Gate (RAPEX)).
Safety Gate (RAPEX) (European Commission Rapid Alert System for dangerous non-food products – Alerts reported by EU national authorities)
The following 13 alerts regarding protective equipment were reported between week 16 and week 24 of 2026.
| Type of risk | Number of alerts | Notes |
| Cuts, Injuries | 1 | Protective gloves They do not provide adequate protection against abrasion and can easily tear, leading to injuries. The product does not comply with the requirements of the Personal Protective Equipment Regulation (PPE) nor with EN 388. |
| Health risk / other | 3 | Particle filter mask The total filtration capacity of the mask is insufficient. Consequently, the product does not fulfil the health and safety requirements. Thus, even if combined with other recommended measures, it may not properly protect. The product does not comply with the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Regulation nor with EN 149. |
| Injuries | 1 | Safety vest The retro-reflective material does not have the required reflectance values and the user is not adequately visible in situations where high visibility is essential. The product does not comply with the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Regulation nor with EN 20471. |
| 1 | Safety shoes The product does not provide the expected protection due to insufficient sliding resistance. Users may slip and get injured. The product does not comply with the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Regulation nor with EN 20345. |
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| 3 | Bicycle helmet The chin strap buckle can easily open, leaving the user unprotected in the event of an impact, causing injuries. The product does not comply with the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Regulation nor with EN 1078. |
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| 1 | Bicycle helmet The impact absorption capacity of the helmet is insufficient. Moreover, the strength and the effectiveness of the retention system are inadequate. In the event of an impact, users may suffer head injuries. The product does not comply with the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Regulation nor with EN 1087. |
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| 1 | Bicycle helmet The chin strap buckle can easily open, leaving the user unprotected in the event of an impact, causing injuries. The product does not comply with the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Regulation nor with EN 1087. |
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| 1 | Protective bungee trampoline accessories The carabiner's turn lock sleeve may malfunction and detach during use, leading to the user falling from a height and suffering injuries. The product does not comply with the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Regulation. |
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| Drowning | 1 | Monorail weight pockets The D-ring handle that is used to unlock the weight pocket from the Buoyancy Compensator Device can detach during use. If this happens, the user will not be able to remove the weight pocket in an emergency to rise to the surface safely. The product does not comply with the General Product Safety Regulation. |
The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) issues Product Safety Alerts to the UK market. The following five alerts regarding Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) were issued between week 16 and week 24 of 2026.
| Type of risk | Number of alerts | Notes |
| Drowning | 1 | Protective Personal Aids Replacement Parts/Accessories The D-ring handle that is used to unlock the weight pocket from the Buoyancy Compensator Device (BCD) can detach during use. The affected products do not meet the requirements of the General Product Safety Regulations 2005. |
| 1 | Lifebelts/Lifejackets/Lifesuits The product may not provide enough buoyancy and turning momentum to bring the user face up in the water. The product does not meet the requirements of Regulation 2016/425 or the Personal Protective Equipment (Enforcement) Regulations 2018. |
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| Health | 1 | Environmental Respiratory Protection - Non-Powered The area of the exhalation valve may compromise the structural integrity and sealing performance of the respirator, thereby reducing its effectiveness. The product does not comply with the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Regulation and the Equipment and Protective Systems intended for use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2016 (ATEX). |
| 1 | Environmental Respiratory Protection - Non-Powered The area of the exhalation valve may compromise the structural integrity and sealing performance of the respirator, thereby reducing its effectiveness. The product does not comply with the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Regulation nor with European standard EN 149. |
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| Injuries | 1 | Protective Wear Accessories Failure of such equipment may expose users to serious injury or death, particularly when used for protection against risks such as falls from height. The product does not meet the requirements of the Regulation (EU) 2016/425 on Personal Protective Equipment. |