There are two main Directives relating to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):

A. Dir. 89/686/EEC - the Harmonisation of PPE Laws
B. Dir. 89/656/EEC - Use of PPE in the Workplace

A. On the Harmonisation of PPE Laws

Council Directive 89/686/EEC of 21 December 1989 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to personal protective equipment. Official journal NO. L 399 , 30/12/1989 P. 0018 - 0038

Abstract:
The aims of the directive are to ensure the free movement of personal protective equipment (PPE) within the Community market by completely harmonizing the essential safety requirements to which it must conform.

The Directives runs parallel to the Directive dealing with the choice and use of PPE at the workplace. It defines the objectives or "essential requirements" which PPE must satisfy at the time of manufacture and before it is placed on the market: the general requirements applicable to all PPE; the additional requirements specific to certain types of PPE; and also the additional requirements specific to particular risks.

Amendments:

• Council Directive 93/68/EEC of 22 July 1993 amending Directives ……. 89/686/EEC (personal protective equipment), ….... Official journal NO. L 220 , 30/08/1993 P. 0001 - 0022
  
  
  
• Council Directive 93/95/EEC of 29 October 1993 amending Directive 89/686/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to personal protective equipment (PPE). Official journal NO. L 276 , 09/11/1993 P. 0011 - 0012
  
  
  
• European Parliament and Council Directive 96/58/EC of 3 September 1996 amending Directive 89/686/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to personal protective equipment. Official journal NO. L 236 , 18/09/1996 P. 0044 - 0044
  
  
  

B. On the Use of PPE in the Workplace

Council Directive 89/656/EEC of 30 November 1989 on the minimum health and safety requirements for the use by workers of personal protective equipment at the workplace (third individual directive within the meaning of Article 16 (1) of Directive 89/391/EEC), Official Journal n° L 393 of 30.12.1989, p. 18.

Abstract:

Objective
To lay down minimum requirements for the assessment, selection and correct use of personal protective equipment. Priority must be given to collective safety measures.

Contents

1. Definition of the term 'personal protective equipment': equipment designed to be worn or held by the worker to protect him against hazards encountered at work. A number of items are excluded from the definition, such as equipment used by emergency and rescue services, self-defence or deterrent equipment.
2. Such equipment must be used when the existing risks cannot be sufficiently limited by technical means of collective protection or work organisation procedures.
3. Employers' obligations: Personal protective equipment must comply with the relevant Community provisions on design and manufacture with respect to safety and health (see Directive 89/686/EEC) and with the conditions set out in the directive. The employer must provide the appropriate equipment free of charge and ensure that it is in good working order and hygienic condition.
4. Assessment of personal protective equipment:
5. Before choosing personal protective equipment, the employer is required to assess the extent to which it complies with the conditions set out in the directive. This includes analysis of risks which cannot be avoided by other means and definition and comparison of the requisite characteristics of the equipment.
6. Rules for use: Member States shall ensure that general rules are established for the use of personal protective equipment and/or covering cases and situations where the employer must provide such equipment. There must be prior consultation with employers' and workers' organisations. Annexes to the directive contain information for establishing such rules: specimen risk survey table (I), non-exhaustive list of items of personal protective equipment (II), non-exhaustive list of activities which may require the provision of personal protective equipment (III).
7. Information, consultation and participation of workers:
8. Workers shall be informed of all measures to be taken. Consultation and participation shall take place on the matters covered by the directive. Technical adjustments in the annexes shall be adopted by the Commission assisted by a committee (Article 17, Directive 89/391/EEC).

Source:European Commission. Employment and social affairs - Current status 15 October 1999. Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities. 2000. 265 pp

The EU directives in short divided PPE into three categories, according to the level of protection offered.

All KIMTECH* gloves for laboratory environments are CE marked as Medical Devices Class 1.