[Home](/)/[Resources](/resources)/UK PPE Regulations PPESafety Equipment # UK PPE Regulations: Personal Protective Equipment Guide The Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 2016 (as amended) establish requirements for PPE placed on the Great Britain market. The regulations categorize PPE by risk level, specify conformity assessment procedures, and mandate UKCA marking for compliant products. Copy Link[Share on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/?text=https%3A%2F%2Fkrono-labs.com%2Fguides%2Fuk-ppe-regulations) ## PPE risk categories Category IMinimal risk Gardening gloves, sunglasses, light cleaning Manufacturer self-certification (Module A) Category IIIntermediate risk Safety helmets, high-visibility clothing, safety footwear Approved Body EU type-examination (Module B) plus production checks Category IIIIrreversible/Death risk Respiratory equipment, fall arrest harnesses, chemical protective suits EU type-examination plus ongoing surveillance (Module C2 or D) ## Essential health and safety requirements Design and manufacture to protect health and ensure safety of user Comfort and effectiveness for intended use conditions No adverse effects on user health or hygiene Ergonomic requirements appropriate to foreseeable use Protection against risks for which designed without creating additional risks Information and instructions for use and maintenance Marking including manufacturer identification, product type, and standards applied ## Conformity assessment procedures PPE conformity assessment varies by category. Category I PPE follows Module A (internal production control) where the manufacturer self-certifies compliance. Category II PPE requires EU type-examination by a UK Approved Body (Module B) followed by production checks (Module C). The Approved Body examines the technical design and issues a type-examination certificate. Category III PPE requires the most rigorous assessment: EU type-examination (Module B) plus either ongoing surveillance of production (Module C2) or quality assurance of the production process (Module D). This ensures consistent protection against irreversible or life-threatening risks. ## Technical documentation requirements PPE technical documentation must demonstrate compliance with essential requirements and include: * Complete technical description and specifications * Design drawings and manufacturing processes * List of standards applied, fully or partially * Test reports and examination results * Risk assessment documentation * Instructions for use and maintenance * EU type-examination certificate (Categories II and III) * Quality system documentation (Category III Module D) Documentation must be maintained for 10 years after the last unit is placed on the market and made available to authorities upon request. ## Learn this properly, not just for one product In-depth courses and books that teach the process — not a one-off answer you'll need to look up again next time. [Start the course — $149](/courses/09-ukca-marking-for-electronics-products)See your free roadmap [Prefer to read? Get the book — $24.99](/books/09-ukca-marking-for-electronics-products) ## Frequently asked questions ### What is the difference between PPE Categories I, II, and III? Category I covers minimal risk (gardening gloves, sunglasses). Category II covers intermediate risk (safety helmets, high-vis clothing) and requires Approved Body assessment. Category III covers irreversible or death risk (respiratory protection, fall arrest) and requires ongoing production surveillance. ### Do I need UKCA marking for PPE in Great Britain? Yes, PPE placed on the Great Britain market requires UKCA marking. All categories require technical documentation. Categories II and III require involvement of a UK Approved Body for conformity assessment. ### Can CE marked PPE still be sold in the UK? CE marking continues to be recognized indefinitely in Great Britain for many products, but PPE is generally moving toward UKCA marking. Check current guidance for specific transitional arrangements. 🇬🇧 UK roadmap for PPE Every standard, document, and test that applies — free, no account required. See your free roadmap[ Want an expert to take PPE through 🇬🇧 UK compliance for you? One consultant from Krono's compliance team takes your product from requirements to legal sale, with a fixed quote before any work starts. See compliance services](/services) Learn this properly In-depth course that teaches the full process, not just this one answer. [Start the course — $149](/courses/09-ukca-marking-for-electronics-products)[Prefer to read? Get the book — $24.99](/books/09-ukca-marking-for-electronics-products) Related guides * [UKCA Marking OverviewComplete guide to UKCA marking for the Great Britain market: requirements, timeline, costs, GB vs NI differences, and how to tr…](/guides/ukca-marking) * [UK Testing and Approved BodiesComplete guide to UK testing requirements, UK Approved Bodies (formerly Notified Bodies), UKAS accreditation, and selecting lab…](/guides/uk-testing-approved-bodies) * [UK Declaration of ConformityComplete guide to UK Declaration of Conformity: required content, format, signatory requirements, and how to create a compliant…](/guides/uk-declaration-of-conformity) Educational resource only. PPE safety is critical—ensure thorough testing and proper certification, especially for Category III equipment.