Category II products

Category II PPE Products

Personal protective equipment (PPE) ensures safety at work and during leisure time. Therefore, it is very important that safety glasses, such as sun glasses, laser safety glasses or other eye protection equipment comply with the legal requirements to ensure their protective function.

The new PPE Regulation 2016/425 took effect in the spring of 2016. The old PPE Directive 89/686 EEC for the testing and certification of personal protective equipment continues to remain valid for another two years, until April 20, 2018. During this time period, manufacturers and distributors of PPE products have time to prepare for the new requirements.

The Different PPE Categories

Different professions have different potentials for risks. The higher the risk potential and the severity of potential injuries, the greater the protective function of PPE and the stricter the regulatory requirements for personal protective equipment.

Therefore, PPE products are classified in different risk categories as specified in the PPE Directive 89/686/EEC. Depending on the category, different assessment of conformity procedures must be followed.

Category II

This category includes any PPE that protect against great hazards. Each eye protection equipment (PPE) used for work-related purposes must at least be classified as category II. Therefore, testing is mandatory.

This category includes for example:

Occulars and face shields without filter effect like Outside lenses, face shields, Occulars with and without corrective effect, Frame spectacles, Goggles, Complete eye-protection equipment, etc.
Eyes and face protection with filter effect like UV protective filter, IR protective filter, Sun protection filter for use in factory, Complete eye-protection equipment with filter effect, etc.
Welder's protection equipment like Welder's protective filter, Welder's protective eyewear, Welder's protective face shields and hand-held shields, Welder's protective helmets, etc.
Automatic welders protective filter
Laser protective equipment like Laser protective filter, Laser adjustment filter, Laser protective eyewear, Laser adjustment eyewear, etc.
Protective shields at work like Welder's shields, Laser shields
Other products like Motorcycle and moped goggles, Motorcyclist's helmet visor, Visors for motorist's helmet, Protective face masks made of textile fabric (forestry worker's visor), etc.
Ophthalmic optic like Spectacle frames, Spectacle lenses with corrective effect, Ready-to-wear spectacles, etc
Testing during development and the testing of individual requirements like Transmission degree, Peak refractive index, Mechanical rigidity, Nickel-release testing, Scratch resistance, anti-fog resistance, etc., diffusion of light, Homogeneity (transmission degree)

Confidence is Good - DIN-Geprüft is Better

With the recognized and neutral certification mark "DIN-Geprüft", DIN CERTCO offers the manufacturer an opportunity to convince its customers of the quality of its products and supports the buying decision by using our DIN mark - which is a synonym for confidence.

Basis of Testing

The following standards are the bases for testing and certification:

National Standards

DIN EN 166 - Personal eye-protection - Specifications
DIN EN 167 - Personal eye-protection - Optical test methods
DIN EN 168 - Personal eye-protection - Non-optical test methods
DIN EN 169 - Personal eye protection - Filters for welding and related techniques - Transmittance requirements and recommended use
DIN EN 170 - Personal eye protection - Ultraviolet filters - Transmittance requirements and recommended use
DIN EN 171 - Personal eye protection - Infrared filters - Transmittance requirements and recommended use
DIN EN 172 - Personal eye-protections - Sunglare filters for industrial use
DIN EN 175 - Personal protection - Equipment for eye and face protection during welding and allied processes
DIN EN 207 - Personal eye-protection equipment - Filters and eye-protectors against laser radiation (laser eye-protectors)
DIN EN 208 - Personal eye-protection - Eye-protectors for adjustment work on lasers and laser systems (laser adjustment eye-protectors))
DIN EN 379 - Personal eye-protection - Automatic welding filters
DIN EN 1731 - Personal eye protection - Mesh eye and face protectors
DIN EN 1938 - Personal eye protection - Goggles for motorcycle and moped users
DIN EN 14458 - Personal eye-equipment - Faceshields and visors for use with firefighters' and high performance industrial safety helmets used by firefighters, ambulance and emergency services

International Standards

ANSI Z136.7 - American National Standard for Testing and Labeling of Laser Protective Equipment
ANSI/ISEA Z87.1- American National Standard for Occupational and Educational Personal Eye and Face Protection Devices
AS/NZS 1337.0 - Personal eye protection - Eye and face protectors - Vocabulary
AS/NZS 1337.1 - Personal eye protection Part 1: Eye and face protectors for occupational applications
AS/NZS 1337.2 - Personal eye protection - Mesh eye and face protectors for occupational
AS/NZS 1337.4 - Personal eye protection Part 4: Filters and eye protectors against laser radiation (laser eye-protectors)
AS/NZS 1337.5 - Personal eye protection Part 5: Eye-protectors for adjustment work on lasers and laser systems (laser adjustment eye-protectors)
AS/NZS 1337.6 - Personal eye protection Part 6: Prescription eye-protectors against low and medium Impact
AS/NZS 1338.1 - Filters for eye protectors Part 1: Filters for protection against radiation generated in welding and allied operations
AS/NZS 1338.2 - Filters for eye protectors Part 2: Filters for protection against ultraviolet radiation
AS/NZS 1338.3 - Filters for eye protectors Part 2: Filters for protection against infra-red radiation
CSA Z94.3 - Eye and face protectors

Quality Criterias

They specify the requirements and testing procedures for Category 2 products. The following criteria are subject to the testing:

Optical effects of the oculars
Optical Aberration
Transmission characteristics
Artificial ageing
General construction requirements (ergonomics)
Mechanical requirements
Resistance to ignition
Testing of coatings
User instructions

The Way to the Mark

Any PPE, which is to be placed on the German and European market, requires a CE Mark. With the CE Mark, the manufacturer is declaring, at its sole responsibility, that his PPE products conform to the requirements of the European Directives (declaration of conformity). In a conformity assessment procedure, the products are tested for compliance with the requirements of the PPE Directive 89/686/EEC.

The procedures that must be included for the CE marking by the manufacturer depend on the PPE category of the product and on the associated risk group.

Category II PPE products must be tested and certified before they can be placed on the European Single Market and brought into retail. As a Notified Body of the EU Commission (Notified Body 0196), DIN CERTCO PZA assesses eye protection equipment in accordance with the harmonized European standards and norms, and issues EC-type examination certificates as a prerequisite for the CE Mark.

By using a voluntary quality seal (e.g. the marks issued by DIN CERTCO, DINplus, DIN-Geprüft, GS, etc.), the manufacturer has the additional option to demonstrate that the product was tested by an independent third party and complies with the product standard.

Furthermore, DIN CERTCO PZA is also notified by the Central Authority of the Federal States for Safety Technology (ZLS) and is authorized to issue the GS Mark (Geprüfte Sicherheit = Tested Safety) according to the Product Safety Act (ProdSG).

DIN-Geprüft

DIN-Geprüft is the quality mark for the tested and monitored conformity of a product with the respective requirements contained in the DIN-, DIN EN or DIN EN ISO standards and in certification schemes, as well as for the regularly conducted monitoring of in-factory production controls.

DINplus

The DINplus mark is the quality mark for products for which conformity with standards has been tested and monitored and which satisfies additional requirements such as quality and environmental measures during production as well as annual monitoring of the factory production quality control system procedures of the manufacturer. This is the "plus of quality".

GS mark

The GS mark is a national safety mark for a product which has undergone testing and regular monitoring or for a quality management system.

CE Marking

Adherence to the minimum standards laid down in EC Directive is documented by the CE mark as a kind of "technical passport". All eye protection equipment must bear this mark. However, it is merely a mark for the free movement of goods and, therefore, is neither a safety nor a quality mark.

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

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What are the benefits of having my eye protection equipment tested?

With our independent test mark, which is recognized worldwide, you ensure the trust of your customers and business partners. At the same time, you document compliance with legal requirements and demonstrate the high quality standard of your eye protection equipment. This avoids additional cost and unwanted delays and facilitates a faster access to national and international markets. Furthermore, our experts prepare you well for the transition to the PPE Regulation 2016/425.

What are the changes I can expect with the transition to the PPE Regulation 2016/425?

Combined with the new legal form, the PPE Regulation has a new structure that does not leave room for interpretation on a national level. It also contains revised and expanded definitions and more specific risk categories. This means that the PPE Regulation 2016/425 provides a greater clarity and is easier to understand for all parties involved.

When will the PPE Regulation 2016/425 replace the PPE Directive 89/686/EEC?

The new PPE Regulation 2016/425 took effect on April 20, 2016. The PPE Directive 89/686 EEC for the testing and certification of personal protective equipment continues to still and exclusively be valid for another two years. During this time period, manufacturers and distributors of eye protection equipment have time to prepare for the new requirements. Starting April 21, 2018, only the PPE Regulation 2016/425 will be valid.

What services does DIN CERTCO provide to support me with the transition?

To support you with the transition to the PPE Regulation 2016/425, we offer the following services:

Workshops and in-house training
Testing to accompany product development

How are PPE products classified by risk groups?

Annex I of the PPE Directive 89/686/EEC specifies three PPE categories. PPE products are classified into a certain risk group according to the expected severity of injury, which the protective equipment is expected to protect against. The categorization of a PPE product is not always clear.

What is a declaration of conformity?

With a declaration of conformity, a manufacturer declares that his products meet all applicable European regulatory requirements. The declaration of conformity is the result of a conformity assessment during which the product is examined for its compliance with the required specifications. This is done by means of the EC type examination certification.

Our experts support you with the conformity assessment and test your products according to the relevant EC regulations, such as the PPE Directive 89/686/EEC and all applicable harmonized standards for PPE products. By affixing the CE Mark on the product, the manufacturer visibly demonstrates his declaration of conformity.

What is a CE Mark?

The abbreviation "CE" means "Communauté Européenne", which is French for "European Community". With the CE Mark, the manufacturer documents the conformity of his products to the European regulatory requirements, i.e. he demonstrates that his goods meet the safety requirements of the European Union. The CE Mark was introduced to simplify the movement of goods within Europe. It is a prerequisite for the marketing of all products on the European markets.

Important: DIN CERTCO does not issue CE Marks. The CE Mark is a declaration by the manufacturer at his sole responsibility, by which he declares to the market surveillance and to the consumers, that his products conform to all applicable European regulations.

DIN CERTCO supports the manufacturer along the way.

Why eye protection?

The eye is our most important sensory organ. Roughly 90% of our sensory impressions are perceived by the eye; no other sense organ supplies us with so much information. Light enables man to recognize and orient himself to his environment.

Light and/or radiation has positive physiological and psychological effects on the human organism; light and light radiation are indispensable for the health and well-being of us all. The positive effects of light occur only within a closely restricted range of the power of light radiation – too much light and radiation damage the eye. Therefore, it is important to protect the skin and the eyes from all forms of harmful influences.

Causes of damage to eyes

Damage to the eyes may occur as a result of a variety of extraneous causes. In the case of mechanical and chemical exposure, these are obvious. It is a different matter, however, when it comes to damage caused by optical radiation. This can arise from natural sources (the sun) or artificial sources (hot objects, welding and cutting with burners, when handling laser equipment, when working on electrical installations).

The effects of optical radiation on the eye

The penetration depth of optical radiation depends on the wavelength. Whilst shortwave radiation (UV radiation) and longwave IR radiation are already absorbed on the surface of the skin or the eye, the visible radiation and radiation in the vicinity of the infrared range of the spectrum penetrates deep into the tissue or skin. The type and seriousness of the effects caused by optical radiation also depend on the intensity of the radiation and the long-term dosage. Potential injuries are varied and usually irreversible.

How is the eye structured?

The essential parts of the human eye are:

Cornea
Conjunctiva
Iris
Lens
Vitreous body
Retina with the fovea, the place where sight is most highly focussed
Choroid membrane
Sclera

Contact

pdf	Certification Scheme Eye Protection Category II	400 KB	Download
pdf	Leaflet European Requirements PPE	67 KB	Download
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pdf	Flyer for customers	471 KB	Download
pdf	General Terms and Conditions	327 KB	Download
pdf	Testing- Registration- and Certification Regulations	320 KB	Download