EUROPE
Standards updates
The following table summarises the most recent standard updates and upcoming dates of withdrawal (non-exhaustive):
(*) Date of withdrawal: latest date by which national standards conflicting with an EN (and HD for CENELEC) have to be withdrawn.
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CEN
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Reference
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Title
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Date of withdrawal (*)
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Supersedes
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EN ISO 13688:2013/A1:2021
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Protective clothing - General requirements - Amendment 1 (ISO 13688:2013/Amd 1:2021)
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31-03-2022
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EN ISO 15384:2020/A1:2021
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Protective clothing for firefighters - Laboratory test methods and performance requirements for wildland firefighting clothing - Amendment 1 (ISO 15384:2018/Amd 1:2021)
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30-04-2022
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EN ISO 20344:2021
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Personal protective equipment - Test methods for footwear (ISO 20344:2021)
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31-05-2022
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EN ISO 20344:2011
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EN 17479:2021
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Hearing protectors - Guidance on selection of individual fit testing methods
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31-05-2022
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FRANCE
Technical publications
Please find below a table summarising recent technical publications (non-exhaustive):
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Date
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Entity
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Comments
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14/12/2021
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ANSES
(Agence nationale de sécurité sanitaire)
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Surgical masks: health thresholds not exceeded for chemical contaminants
ANSES published an assessment of the health risks associated with the presence of chemicals in surgical masks. The results showed no cases where health thresholds were exceeded when the recommended conditions of use were followed.
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14/12/2021
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ANSES
(Agence nationale de sécurité sanitaire)
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Give priority to graphene-free masks
Following the removal from the Canadian market of certain FFP2 protective face masks containing graphene in April 2021, the French authorities suspended their distribution while ANSES assessed the health risks of wearing these masks. Due to a lack of data on the toxicity of graphene, the Agency now recommends giving priority to the marketing of graphene-free masks.
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PRODUCT RECALLS/ ALERTS
Below you will find a monthly summary of product recalls and alerts in Europe (Source “RAPEX”) and in the U.S. (Source “CPSC).
Europe
RAPEX (European Commission Rapid Alert System for dangerous non-food products – Alerts reported by EU national authorities).
The following 35 alerts regarding Personal Protective equipment were reported between week 42 and week 50 of 2021.
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Type of Risk
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Number of alerts
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Notes
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Chemical
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1
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Sunglasses
The metal hinges in the sunglasses contain an excessive amount of lead. It does not comply with the requirements of the REACH Regulation.
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Damage to sight
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14
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Laser safety glasses
The laser safety glasses do not provide the protection claimed. It does not comply with the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Regulation.
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Health risk/ other
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10
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Particle filter mask
The particle/filter retention of the material is insufficient. Furthermore, the physical resistance of the filtering material is too high. It does not comply with the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Regulation and with the relevant European standard EN 149.
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1
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Protective filter mask for children
The product bears a CE marking but its filtering capacity cannot be tested by a relevant competent European conformity assessment body due to its small size. It does not comply with the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Regulation and with the relevant European standard EN 149.
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1
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Particle filter mask
The safety of the product cannot be demonstrated due to the absence of important proof from the technical documentation. Furthermore, the pack contained different types of masks.
It does not comply with the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Regulation and with the relevant European standard EN 149.
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1
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Respirator/FFP3 protective mask
The user assumes a protective effect on the basis of the labelling (FFP3 and CE).
The particle/filter retention of the material is insufficient.
It does not comply with the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Regulation and with the relevant European standard EN 149.
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1
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Disposable vinyl gloves
The product bears a CE marking but its permeability has not been tested by a relevant competent European conformity assessment body. Consequently, it is not proven that the product fulfils the health and safety requirements; thus, even if combined with other recommended measures, it may not properly protect the user.
It does not comply with the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Regulation.
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4
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Particle filter mask
The product bears a CE marking but its filtering capacity has not been tested by a relevant competent European conformity assessment body. It does not comply with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Regulation.
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Injuries
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1
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Children's motorcycle helmet
The "8" ring which allows the adjustable strap to be maintained can break easily. The lack of helmet retention can reduce its effectiveness in the event of impact, causing injuries to the head. It does not comply with the requirements of the Regulation ECE 22-05.
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Drowning
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1
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Lifejacket
The harness can break when falling off a boat. It does not comply with the Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) Regulation.
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US
Between 21 October and 20 December 2021, the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) published the following recalls: 0 recall in PPE products.
