Short answer
Personal protective equipment is regulated by Regulation (EU) 2016/425 and classified in three risk categories. Category I (minimal risks) uses internal production control. Category II requires an EU type-examination by a notified body. Category III, for risks of death or irreversible damage, also requires ongoing production surveillance by a notified body.
Risk categories
| Category | Examples | Conformity assessment |
|---|---|---|
| I | Gardening gloves, sunglasses | Module A, internal production control |
| II | Safety helmets, high-visibility clothing, eye protection | Module B (EU type-examination) + module C |
| III | Respiratory protection, fall protection, chemical protection | Module B + module C2 or D |
Notified bodies
For category II and III, the notified body's identification number accompanies the CE marking. Always verify the body and its scope in the European Commission's NANDO database before accepting a certificate.
Authority in Romania
Personal protective equipment used at work is checked by the Labour Inspectorate (Inspecția Muncii).