CE marking for workwear shows that the product meets EU safety requirements and standards for protective equipment. The marking applies to specific categories of protective clothing and is a requirement for selling these products within the EU.
CE marking stands for "Conformité Européenne" – it is a European marking that indicates that a product complies with all relevant EU directives and standards. The marking functions somewhat like a passport for products in the EU's internal market.
When it comes to workwear, CE marking encompasses personal protective equipment according to Regulation (EU) 2016/425. The manufacturer guarantees with the CE mark that the equipment meets the applicable safety requirements.
CE marking is only required for products that fall under harmonized EU rules where the marking is mandatory. If there are no such requirements, the product cannot be CE marked.
The CE mark on workwear indicates that the protective clothing has been tested and reviewed to ensure user safety. The marking should be present on the product itself, on the packaging, and in the user manual.
There are also requirements for traceability, so information about the manufacturer, product, and user manual must always be included according to Article 8. This is not just bureaucracy – it makes it easier to follow up in case of problems.
For users, the CE mark means that the workwear meets the required safety standards. It is actually quite reassuring to know that the protective equipment has been tested against the risks present at work.
Product categories that require CE marking include protective clothing against chemicals, heat, cold, and mechanical risks. Common workwear without protective functions? No, they do not need to be CE marked.
Protective clothing is divided into three risk categories:
Manufacturers must determine whether their products need to be CE marked. All personal protective equipment sold on the EU market must be CE marked to show that it meets the requirements.
Work environments in industry, construction, and logistics are full of risks that require robust protective measures. Personal protective equipment is often the difference between everyday life and accidents.
Physical risks are common, especially in industries and construction sites. Falling objects, sharp tools, and hot surfaces – this is everyday life for many. In construction, falls from heights are a constant danger, while logistics often involves heavy lifting and fast-moving vehicles.
Chemical risks arise when handling solvents, acids, or other industrial chemicals. Skin injuries, respiratory problems, or long-term health issues – these are not things to take lightly. In the manufacturing industry, exposure often occurs frequently.
Environmental risks? Absolutely – cold, heat, moisture, and poor visibility can cause problems. Cold environments make fingers stiff and increase the risk of slipping, while heat can lead to dehydration and fatigue. Poor visibility is a problem, especially where machinery is moving.
Electrical risks exist where there is voltage nearby or where it is damp. Short circuits and electrical overload can cause serious injuries – in the worst case, cardiac arrest.
High-visibility clothing with reflectors makes one more visible in traffic and in low light. EN ISO 20471 certified garments have the right colors and reflective bands to truly stand out. This significantly reduces the risk of accidents on construction sites and in logistics.
Protective material properties in workwear prevent hazardous substances from reaching the skin. Chemical-resistant fabrics keep solvents and liquids out, and flame-resistant materials according to EN ISO 11612 protect against sudden flames, such as during welding.
Ergonomic design is important – the protection should not make it impossible to move. Reinforcements at the knees and elbows increase durability, but one still wants to be able to work smoothly. Ventilated materials are also a must to avoid overheating during heavy work.
Integrated protection – that is, garments that combine multiple protective properties – is smart. A winter jacket with both high-visibility function, chemical protection, and windproofing means one does not have to layer up to get all the protection.
Workwear as personal protective equipment is subject to specific EU laws that require CE marking. To sell such products on the European market, one simply needs to follow the rules.
Regulation (EU) 2016/425 is the foundation for all personal protective equipment within the EU. It is often referred to as the PPE Regulation (Personal Protective Equipment regulation).
All products classified as personal protective equipment must be correctly CE marked according to the regulation. This applies to workwear that protects against specific risks at work.
Product requirements according to the regulation:
The manufacturer is responsible for ensuring that the product undergoes the correct assessment procedure depending on the risk class. The regulation divides protective equipment into three categories, and the requirements vary between them.
The EU Declaration of Conformity is a document that the manufacturer must prepare for each product. It certifies that the product meets all the requirements of the regulation.
The declaration should include details about the product, the manufacturer, and which standards have been used. It must be available for inspection by supervisory authorities if requested.
Mandatory content:
The declaration is a prerequisite for CE marking and must be kept for the entire time the product is on the market.
The EU regulation applies directly in all member states – no additional national requirements are needed. Swedish authorities are responsible for ensuring that the rules are followed.
The Swedish Work Environment Authority monitors personal protective equipment in Sweden. They can conduct inspections and require actions if something is not as it should be.
Powers of the authorities:
The Consumer Agency manages the regulations surrounding CE marking and can assist manufacturers and importers in navigating the regulations.
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Personal protective equipment is divided into three clear categories depending on the size and severity of the risk. Each category has its own requirements for testing, certification, and how compliance should be assessed.
Category I includes workwear that protects against minimal risks where the user can determine the level of protection themselves. This includes, for example, simple work gloves for cleaning, light gardening, and handling items with temperatures below +50°C.
The manufacturer can perform the conformity assessment without involving a notified body. It is sufficient with self-certification and technical documentation showing that the product meets the basic safety requirements.
Typical products in category I:
The documentation requirements are quite limited. The products can be released to the market as soon as the manufacturer has issued the EU Declaration of Conformity.
Category II applies to workwear that protects against moderate risks, meaning those that do not fall into category I or III. It covers most industrial environments where protective equipment is still crucial for safety.
Here, EU type examination by a notified body is required before CE marking and sale. The notified body issues an EU type examination certificate indicating that the product meets safety requirements.
Examples of category II products:
The manufacturer must keep technical documentation updated and ensure that production matches the approved sample. Quality assurance is conducted through internal control systems.
Category III includes workwear that protects against life-threatening risks or serious, irreversible injuries. Here, the strictest requirements are imposed because mistakes can have really serious consequences.
In addition to EU type examination, continuous monitoring of production by a notified body is required. The manufacturer must choose quality assurance of production or product checks to demonstrate that everything is in order.
Critical products in category III:
The notified body conducts regular inspections and checks of the manufacturing process. The documentation is more extensive and requires detailed test reports and quality procedures.
The safety of workwear is based on rigorous certification processes where notified bodies ensure that products comply with European standards. The standards are developed by CEN and describe requirements for different types of protective equipment.
Testing processes should ensure that the clothing actually protects the user at work.
Notified bodies are central to the CE marking process for workwear. Swedac accredits and notifies companies that can review personal protective equipment.
RISE is an example of a notified body that certifies in Sweden.
They are responsible for assessing whether the workwear meets the requirements of the regulation. This involves technical review, evaluation of manufacturing, and checking that the products meet safety standards.
For products requiring third-party control, the CE mark must be supplemented with the identification number of the notified body. This allows tracking of which organization has reviewed the safety.
If the manufacturer cannot provide all the documentation themselves, they must engage a notified body. This is especially important for more advanced protective equipment that requires expert assessment.
European standards for workwear are developed in collaboration between experts from across the EU. CEN coordinates the work where manufacturers, users, testing institutes, and authorities together set standards for safety, quality, and performance.
EN standards for different types of protection:
The standards specify testing methods and requirements to verify that the protective equipment provides the right protection. They cover everything from material selection to design and labeling.
National committees are centrally coordinated to maintain uniformity. This means that workwear meeting the standards should function equally well regardless of where in the EU you are located.
The certification process begins with the manufacturer submitting technical documentation to the notified body. This includes product specifications, material information, and descriptions of the manufacturing process.
Testing is conducted according to relevant standards, and the clothing is tested in controlled environments. Testing methods vary depending on the protection needed – everything from flame testing to chemical tests.
The notified body issues certificates if the requirements are met. The certificate specifies which standards apply and under what conditions the product may be used.
The manufacturer must be able to present technical documentation if authorities request it. This enables checks when the products are on the market.
For simpler equipment, the manufacturer can prepare all documentation for CE marking themselves. However, this only applies to products with low risk where safety issues are less complicated.
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Each actor in the chain has their responsibility to ensure that the workwear meets CE marking requirements. The manufacturer bears the primary responsibility, while importers and distributors have obligations regarding control and traceability.
The manufacturer has the primary responsibility to ensure that workwear with CE marking complies with all relevant EU directives. This means assessing conformity according to applicable standards.
Technical documentation should include:
The manufacturer is responsible for ensuring that the CE marking is affixed to the product or packaging correctly. The marking must be visible, legible, and permanent.
For protective gloves and certain other products, identification numbers for the notified body are also required.
They must have systems in place to retain technical documentation for at least ten years after the product has been released. If there are suspicions of deficiencies, the manufacturer must quickly rectify the issues.
Importers bringing in workwear from countries outside the EU must check that the manufacturer has properly CE marked the products. They ensure that technical documentation is available and that the marking is correct.
Importer's tasks:
The importer should label the product with their name and contact details. If this is difficult, the information can be placed on the packaging or in accompanying documents.
Distributors have somewhat simpler obligations but must always ensure that the CE marking is correct before sale. They should cooperate with supervisory authorities and forward safety information in the supply chain.
If distributors modify workwear or sell it under their own name, they are considered manufacturers under the law.
CE marking of workwear requires thorough technical documentation, correct assessment of conformity, and proper application of the marking. Each step is important for the protective equipment to truly meet EU safety requirements.
Technical documentation is the foundation of the entire CE marking process. It must include everything that shows that the workwear meets the applicable requirements.
The following documents should be included:
The documentation must be retained for at least ten years after the product has been released on the market. It is the manufacturer's responsibility to ensure that everything is accurate and up to date.
Conformity with Regulation (EU) 2016/425 must be verified before CE marking can be carried out. The assessment procedure varies depending on which risk category the workwear belongs to.
Category I products can CE mark through internal production control without external assessment. Category II requires type testing by a notified body.
Category III products must undergo complete quality assurance. Notified bodies like RISE issue the necessary certificates after the assessment has been completed.
These documents form the legal basis for CE marking and must be included in the technical documentation.
The CE mark must be affixed visibly, legibly, and permanently on workwear or the packaging if it cannot be placed on the product itself. The mark must follow exact proportions according to EU regulations.
The mark is usually placed on:
The mark must not be less than 5 mm in height and must be accompanied by the identification number of the notified body for category II and III products. The manufacturer is responsible for maintaining the mark throughout the product's lifespan.
CE marked workwear comes in many different categories depending on the work area and risk exposure. High-visibility clothing requires specific safety standards.
All protective clothing also needs proper maintenance to retain its protective properties.
High-visibility clothing must meet the EN ISO 20471 standard to receive CE marking. This standard defines three safety classes based on the amount of reflective and fluorescent material.
Class 1 is used for low-risk areas with limited traffic. Class 2 is suitable for medium-risk areas such as construction sites.
Class 3 is required for high-risk areas with fast traffic or complex work environments. Fluorescent colors must be orange, yellow, or red according to the standard.
Reflective bands must have a minimum width of 50 mm and be placed strategically for maximum visibility from all angles. Combination garments covering both the upper body and legs can achieve a higher safety class.
Employers must choose the right class based on a risk assessment of the workplace.
CE marked protective clothing loses its safety properties without proper maintenance. The manufacturer always specifies washing instructions and the maximum number of wash cycles on the product label.
High-visibility clothing typically withstands 25–50 wash cycles before the reflective properties deteriorate. Fluorescent colors fade at too high temperatures or with the wrong detergent.
Regular inspections identify damage such as holes, worn seams, or weakened reflectors. Damaged protective clothing should be replaced immediately.
Proper storage significantly extends lifespan. Protective clothing should be stored dry, clean, and protected from UV light when not in use.
CE marking of workwear is regulated by specific safety requirements and testing procedures according to EU regulations. Employers and users often have questions about what the marking means and how to verify that the clothing meets necessary safety standards.
CE marking on workwear means that the garment meets EU safety requirements according to Regulation (EU) 2016/425 for personal protective equipment. The marking shows that the manufacturer has taken full responsibility for the product's compliance with relevant directives.
Workwear that requires CE marking includes protective clothing against chemicals, heat, cold, and mechanical risks. Standard workwear without specific protective functions, however, does not need to be CE marked.
Workwear must be tested according to harmonized European standards (hEN) to receive CE marking. The product must be documented correctly and meet basic health and safety requirements.
The manufacturer must prepare an EU Declaration of Conformity and ensure that the product complies with a European technical specification. For certain categories of protective clothing, involvement of a notified body for certification and quality control is also required.
The CE marking should be clearly visible on the product, packaging, or accompanying documentation. The marking must comply with specific requirements regarding size, shape, and placement.
Users should check that the marking is not confused with other markings in form or meaning. The EU Declaration of Conformity should be available and contain information about which standards the product has been tested against.
The EU Declaration of Conformity should always be available for CE marked workwear. The document contains information about the manufacturer, product specifications, and which harmonized standards have been applied.
User instructions in Swedish or another relevant language should accompany the product. The documentation should also include information about the product's limitations, maintenance instructions, and safety guidelines.
The control process varies depending on the risk classification of the protective clothing. For category II products, the manufacturer can conduct internal production control.
Category III products require involvement of a notified body. Notified bodies perform type control and monitor the production process for high-risk categories.
Testing is conducted according to specific EN standards relevant to the intended protection.
Employers can indeed be held responsible if they provide workwear that lacks proper CE marking when required by occupational safety legislation. This is especially true when the workwear is classified as personal protective equipment.
It is the employer's responsibility to ensure that all personal protective equipment meets safety requirements and has the correct documentation. Otherwise, the employer risks violating their obligations under occupational safety law.
The information on this page is intended as general guidance only and does not replace manufacturer instructions or applicable regulations. Workwise does not guarantee that the content is accurate, complete, or current and is not liable for decisions or actions taken based on this information. Always follow current standards and manufacturer instructions.