PPE standards explained
PPE standards explained
Plain-English guides to the standards on the PPE and workwear we sell in the UK and Ireland, with official sources and matching products.
Updated
Standards on this page
Symbols follow the official pictograms where one exists.
Quick answer
PPE in the UK and Ireland is certified to European (EN) and international (EN ISO) standards. The standard and its code on the label tell you what the product protects against and how well. Below is every key standard we stock, explained in plain English, with official sources and a link to matching products.
Every standard we stock
| Standard | Type | What it covers | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|
| EN ISO 20471 | Hi-vis | EN ISO 20471 is the standard for professional high-visibility clothing in the UK and Ireland. | Shop hi-vis clothing |
| EN ISO 20345 | Safety footwear | EN ISO 20345 is the standard for safety footwear with a 200 joule toe cap. | Shop safety boots |
| RIS-3279-TOM | Rail hi-vis | RIS-3279-TOM is the Rail Industry Standard from RSSB that sets the minimum high-visibility clothing for people working on or near the GB mainline railway. | Shop RIS-3279-TOM hi-vis |
| EN 388 | Gloves | EN 388 rates work gloves against mechanical risks. | Shop gloves |
| EN ISO 374 | Gloves | EN ISO 374 covers gloves that protect against dangerous chemicals (Part 1) and micro-organisms, including viruses (Part 5). | Shop chemical gloves |
| EN ISO 11612 | Flame protection | EN ISO 11612 sets minimum performance for clothing that protects against heat and flame, from brief flame contact to molten metal splash. | Shop EN ISO 11612 clothing |
| EN ISO 14116 | Flame protection | EN ISO 14116 covers materials and garments that limit flame spread. | Shop EN ISO 14116 clothing |
| EN 1149-5 | Antistatic clothing | EN 1149-5 covers garments that safely dissipate static charge, for work in areas where a spark could ignite gas, vapour or dust. | Shop EN 1149-5 clothing |
| EN ISO 13688 | Protective clothing | EN ISO 13688 sets the general requirements every protective garment must meet, such as sizing, comfort, harmlessness and labelling. | Shop protective clothing by standard |
| EN 12492 | Head protection | Climbing-style helmets for work at height and rescue. | Shop EN 12492 helmets |
| EN ISO 24232 and EN 343 | Rainwear | EN ISO 24232 is the new standard for protective clothing against rain. | Shop EN 343 rainwear |
| EN ISO 16321 and EN 166 | Eye protection | EN ISO 16321 replaced EN 166 as the standard for occupational eye and face protection. | Shop eye protection |
| EN 352 | Hearing protection | EN 352 is the series of standards for hearing protectors: Part 1 ear defenders, Part 2 earplugs and Part 3 helmet-mounted ear defenders, with later parts for electronic types. | Shop hearing protection |
| EN 149 | Respiratory protection | EN 149 is the standard for disposable filtering half masks that protect against particles such as dust, fumes and mists. | Shop respiratory protection |
| IEC 61482-2 | Arc flash | IEC 61482-2 (EN 61482-2 in Europe) covers clothing that protects against the thermal effects of an electric arc. | Shop arc flash clothing |
| EN 397 | Head protection | EN 397 is the standard for industrial safety helmets, the hard hats used on construction sites and in industry to protect against falling objects. | Shop EN 397 safety helmets |
More guides
PPE standards questions
Do the UK and Ireland use the same PPE standards?
Mostly, yes. Great Britain uses the GB designated standards list and Ireland and Northern Ireland use the EU harmonised list. Both cite the same EN and EN ISO standards in most cases, though dates can differ.
What is the difference between BS EN, I.S. EN and EN ISO?
They are the same European standard published by different national bodies: BSI publishes BS EN in the UK and NSAI publishes I.S. EN in Ireland. EN ISO means the European standard is also an international ISO standard.
Who checks PPE sold in Ireland?
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) is the market surveillance authority for workplace PPE in Ireland.
Which marks should PPE carry?
CE or UKCA in Great Britain, and CE (sometimes with UKNI) in Northern Ireland and CE in Ireland. Category III items also show a four-digit notified or approved body number.
Official sources
Standards and site rules change. Always check the current edition, the product's declaration of conformity and your own risk assessment.
- GOV.UK: Designated standards for PPE (Great Britain): https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/designated-standards-ppe
- European Commission: Harmonised standards for PPE (EU, applies in Ireland and Northern Ireland): https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/single-market/goods/european-standards/harmonised-standards/personal-protective-equipment_en
- BSI: the UK National Standards Body (publishes BS EN standards): https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/about-bsi/uk-national-standards-body/
- NSAI: National Standards Authority of Ireland (publishes I.S. EN standards): https://www.nsai.ie/
- HSE: PPE at work regulations: https://www.hse.gov.uk/ppe/ppe-regulations-2022.htm
- HSA: Personal protective equipment (Ireland): https://www.hsa.ie/eng/topics/personal_protective_equipment_-_ppe/
- HSA: Market surveillance of PPE (Ireland): https://www.hsa.ie/eng/topics/market_surveillance/