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Media Centre >> Knowledge e-news >> Eurofins PPE Bimonthly Bulletin (November-December 2022)

Eurofins PPE Bimonthly Bulletin (November-December 2022)

EUROPE

Changes to product safety standards

On 7 October 2022, the European Commission published Decision 2022/1914 which amends the Implementing Decision (EU) 2020/668 as it relates to harmonised standards for personal flotation devices – buoyancy aids, lifejackets and accessories.

This table summarises the rows which have been added to the Annexes to Implementing Decision (EU) 2020/668:

Added standards in Annex I
Row	Reference	Title
39	EN ISO 12402-5:2020	Personal flotation devices – Part 5: Buoyancy aids (level 50) - Safety requirements (ISO 12402-5:2020)
40	EN ISO 12402-6:2020	Personal flotation devices – Part 6: Special purpose lifejackets and buoyancy aids - Safety requirements and additional test methods (ISO 12402-6:2020)
41	EN ISO 12402-8:2020	Personal flotation devices – Part 8: Accessories – Safety requirements and test methods (ISO 12402-8:2020)
Added standards in Annex II
Row	Reference	Title
30	EN ISO 12402-5:2006	Personal flotation devices – Part 5: Buoyancy aids (level 50) - Safety requirements (ISO 12402-5:2006)
31	EN ISO 12402-6:2006	Personal flotation devices – Part 6: Special purpose lifejackets and buoyancy aids - Safety requirements and additional test methods (ISO 12402-6:2006)
32	EN ISO 12402-8:2006	Personal flotation devices – Part 8: Accessories – Safety requirements and test methods (ISO 12402-8:2006)
Note: Date of withdrawal of these Standards is the 7 October 2022.
Added standards in Annex III
Row	Reference	Title
4	EN ISO 12402-2:2020	Personal flotation devices – Part 2: Lifejackets, performance level 275 – Safety requirements (ISO 12402-2:2020)
5	EN ISO 12402-3:2020	Personal flotation devices – Part 3: Lifejackets, performance level 150 – Safety requirements (ISO 12402-3:2020)
6	EN ISO 12402-4:2020	Personal flotation devices – Part 4: Lifejackets, performance level 100 – Safety requirements (ISO 12402-4:2020)
Notice: Application of clause 5.6 of this standard does not confer a presumption of conformity with the basic health and safety requirement set out in point 1.1.1. of Annex II to Regulation (EU) 2016/425. Application of clauses 5.1.2, 5.1.3, 5.1.5, 5.1.7, 5.2, 5.3.1.1, 5.3.1.2, 5.3.2.2, 5.3.2.3, 5.3.4.3, 5.3.4.4, 5.6.1.4, 5.6.1.7, 5.6.1.8, 5.6.1.9, 5.6.1.10 and 5.6.1.11 to this standard does not confer a presumption of conformity with the basic health and safety requirement set out in point 1.2.1. of Annex II to Regulation (EU) 2016/425. Application of clauses 5.1.2, 5.2, 5.3.1.1, 5.3.2.2, 5.3.4.2, 5.3.4.4, 5.6.3 and 5.7 to this standard does not confer a presumption of conformity with the basic health and safety requirement as set out in point 3.4 of Annex II to Regulation (EU) 2016/425.

Standards updates

The following table summarises the most recent standard updates and upcoming dates of withdrawal (non-exhaustive):

(*) Date of withdrawal: the latest date by which national standards conflicting with an EN (and HD for CENELEC) have to be withdrawn.

CEN
Reference	Title	*Date of withdrawal ()**	Supersedes
EN ISO 10819:2013/A2:2022	Mechanical vibration and shock - Hand-arm vibration - Measurement and evaluation of the vibration transmissibility of gloves at the palm of the hand - Amendment 2 (ISO 10819:2013/Amd 2:2021)	30 April 2023

PRODUCT RECALLS / ALERTS

Below you will find a monthly summary of product recalls and alerts in Europe (Source Safety Gate (RAPEX)).

Europe

RAPEX (European Commission Rapid Alert System for dangerous non-food products – Alerts reported by EU national authorities).

The following 13 alerts regarding Personal Protective Equipment were reported between week 43 and week 51 of 2022.

Type of Risk	Number of alerts	Notes
Health risk / other	7	Particle filter mask The total filtration capacity of the mask is insufficient. The product does not comply with the Personal Protective Equipment Regulation nor with the European standard EN 149.
Injuries	6	Reflective bag The bag does not have a sufficiently retroreflective surface. The product does not comply with the Personal Protective Equipment Regulation nor with EN 13356.
		High-visibility gadget The bag does not have a sufficiently retroreflective surface. The product does not comply with the Personal Protective Equipment Regulation nor with EN 13356.
		Reflective pendant The bag does not have a sufficiently retroreflective surface. The product does not comply with the Personal Protective Equipment Regulation nor with EN 13356.
		Reflective sticker Some of the stickers in the package are too small and do not have a sufficiently reflective surface. The product does not comply with the Personal Protective Equipment Regulation nor with EN 13356.
		Knee guards Due to unsuitable construction and materials, the product does not provide sufficient impact protection if a user falls from a motorcycle. The product does not comply with the requirements of the Personal Protective Equipment Directive nor with EN 1621-1.
		Protective helmet The helmet cannot be adjusted without the use of tools and it does not provide sufficient protection from mechanical shocks. The chin strap does not provide sufficient protection because it detaches when subjected to a force which is lower than required. The product does not comply with the Personal Protective Equipment Regulation nor with EN 397.

OPSS issues Product Safety Alerts to the UK market.

The following 2 alerts regarding Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) were issued between week 43 and week 51 of 2022.

Type of Risk	Number of alerts	Notes
Drowning	1	Buoyancy Control Device The dump valve pull cord on the specified BCD jackets were identified as being too short and could present a risk to the end user. When the BCD is fully inflated the cord retracts, and the pull knob is stopped from moving by the BCD stitching, which slightly opens the dump valve. This means that the BCD cannot be fully inflated in the affected models leading to lack of buoyancy control.
Injuries	1	Retractable Type Fall Arrest Block 5mtr Webbing The defective fall arrest block does not meet essential health and safety requirement (EHSR) 3.1.2.2 Prevention of falls from a height of Regulation (EU) 2016/425 on personal protective equipment.