The European Commission updated the harmonized standards for personal protective equipment (PPE) contained in Decision 2023/941 with Implementing Decision 2025/895 of 14 May 2025. The decision provides for the publication in the Official Journal of new or revised standards in product groups such as ear protectors, fall protection equipment, mountaineering equipment, knee protectors, protective clothing against tick bites and electrically insulated helmets.
With the decision, the earplug standard EN 352-2:2020+A1:2024 was re-listed, but with the limitation that this standard does not specify the noise reduction level on the product on the label. In addition to the standards EN 353-2:2024 for fall protection equipment (guide-type fall arrestors with flexible anchors) and EN 958:2024 for mountaineering equipment (energy absorbing equipment for via ferrata climbing systems), various parts of the EN 14404 series knee protection standard (EN 14404-2:2024, EN 14404-3:2024, EN 14404-4:2024, EN 14404-6:2024), as well as EN 17487:2024 for permethrin treated clothing against tick bites. In the case of knee protection products, the scope restriction related to clause 5.5.1.3, which guarantees conformity to the user morphology, was particularly emphasized.
The revision of EN 50365:2023/AC:2024-09 for electrically insulated helmets was also published under the Decision, formalizing the revisions required for safe use in low and medium voltage circuits. In this way, manufacturers will be able to comply with the new standards and certify their products in accordance with the current regulations in the EU market.
Previous versions (EN 352-2:2020, EN 353-2:2002, EN 958:2017, EN 17109:2020 and EN 50365:2023) were removed from the list, while relevant manufacturers and notified bodies were given until 16 November 2026 to prepare for the new standards. The EU’s technical harmonization in the field of personal protective equipment aims to improve the safety of consumers and workers, and for manufacturers to benefit from the advantages of the single market. This update package ensures the continuous improvement of quality and safety standards in the PPE sector within the EU, clarifying the minimum criteria that manufacturers must meet in line with new technological developments. This will minimize the health and safety risks of equipment used in workplaces and outdoor activities.
For More Information: OJ_L_202500895_EN.pdf
