The European Commission has updated the compilation of new occupational health and safety standards, harmonized regarding Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) following a decision published on May 11, 2023.

Buoyancy Aid Standard: EN 13138-1 2021

This concerns buoyancy aids used for swimming instruction. This European standard sets safety requirements and testing methods for buoyancy aid devices, targeting young children and those learning to swim.
Key points of the EN 13138-1 2021 standard include :

  • Age Categories : It specifies age categories for which buoyancy aids are designed, particularly for children aged 1 to 12 years. Minimum
  • Buoyancy Requirements : The standard outlines minimum buoyancy requirements for different age groups to ensure buoyancy aids provide sufficient support to keep the child’s head above water and enable safe floating.
  • Materials and Construction : It establishes requirements for the materials used in the manufacturing of buoyancy aids and their construction to ensure durability, wear resistance, and product safety.
  • Fastening Systems : The standard details requirements for the fastening systems of buoyancy aids to secure and prevent the device from detaching or slipping during use.
  • Labeling and Provided Information : The standard mandates that buoyancy aids are clearly and permanently labeled, providing essential information such as age recommendations, usage instructions, and safety warnings.

This regulation is part of the new EN 13138-1 2021 occupational health and safety standards, aiming to ensure buoyancy aids comply with high safety standards. This allows children to learn to swim safely and securely.

02

Self-Belay Lanyard Standard: EN 17520 2021

This addresses safety requirements and testing methods for self-belay lanyards.


The document specifies safety requirements and testing methods for lanyards intended to be the primary connection between the climber and the belay point, capable of withstanding a dynamic shock. Lanyards solely for restraint, energy absorption in via ferrata, or lanyards on high ropes courses are not covered by this document.

03

Eye and Face Protection Standard: ISO 16321

This new occupational health and safety standard specifies general requirements for equipment designed to protect eyes and face against common occupational hazards, including projected particles, harmful gases, optical radiation, or liquid splashes. It is divided into 3 parts:

EN ISO 16321-1 2022

EN ISO 16321-1 2022 addresses general requirements for professional use eye and face protection.

The document specifies general requirements for eye and face protectors intended to protect individuals from common occupational hazards, such as impacts from projected particles and fragments, optical radiation, dust, etc.

New ISO 16321-2 and ISO 16321-3 work safety standards define additional requirements for eye and face protectors used during welding and related techniques, as well as for mesh protectors. This document applies to protectors equipped with non-prescription lenses and those equipped with prescription lenses and their components, and protectors used for professional-type tasks performed in the same manner as in a professional setting, e.g., DIY. It does not apply to protectors specifically designed for protection against solar radiation used in non-professional environments, protectors for medical prescription applications, eye protectors used on patients during diagnosis or treatment, protectors for medical or cosmetic applications, protectors specifically intended for sports, protectors against lasers, face protectors designed for work under voltage, protectors designed for protection against ionizing radiation, and protectors used in training institutions.

EN ISO 16321-1 2022

EN ISO 16321-1 2022 addresses general requirements for professional use eye and face protection. The document specifies general requirements for eye and face protectors intended to protect individuals from common occupational hazards, such as impacts from projected particles and fragments, optical radiation, dust, etc. New ISO 16321-2 and ISO 16321-3 work safety standards define additional requirements for eye and face protectors used during welding and related techniques, as well as for mesh protectors. This document applies to protectors equipped with non-prescription lenses and those equipped with prescription lenses and their components, and protectors used for professional-type tasks performed in the same manner as in a professional setting, e.g., DIY. It does not apply to protectors specifically designed for protection against solar radiation used in non-professional environments, protectors for medical prescription applications, eye protectors used on patients during diagnosis or treatment, protectors for medical or cosmetic applications, protectors specifically intended for sports, protectors against lasers, face protectors designed for work under voltage, protectors designed for protection against ionizing radiation, and protectors used in training institutions. EN ISO 16321-2 2021, titled “Eye and face protection used during welding and related processes,” sets specific requirements for PPE intended to protect the eyes and face of individuals performing welding and similar tasks.

ISO 16321-3 2022

ISO 16321-3 2022 addresses additional requirements for mesh protectors for eyes and face.


These new occupational health and safety PPE standards are the first agreed upon internationally for eye and face protection, covering the latest trends and technological developments in eye protection.

03

Eye Protection Standard: EN ISO 18527-1 2022

This standard pertains to requirements for alpine skiing and snowboarding goggles equipped with an insert for corrective lenses, applying to all goggles equipped with flat lenses intended to protect eyes against hazards such as UV and visible solar radiation, rain, snow, and wind, etc.

03

Safety Footwear Standard : EN ISO 20345 2022

The new EN ISO 20345 2022 occupational health and safety standard introduces significant changes for safety footwear, including marking modifications related to slip resistance, puncture resistance, and water penetration resistance levels.

Major changes include the introduction of S6 and S7 markings, providing additional precision regarding the water penetration resistance of safety footwear. Shoes marked S6 or S7 will be certified WRU + WR, indicating good moisture and water penetration resistance, designed with sealed stitches or a waterproof-breathable membrane.

02

Other changes in EN ISO 20345 2022

  • include the FO marking for sole resistance to hydrocarbons becoming an additional rather than mandatory marking for S1, S2, and S3 safety shoes,
  • the introduction of the LG marking for good grip,
  • and the SC marking to frame protective toe caps.
The evolution of the EN ISO 20345 standard aims to provide workers with reliable and durable PPE. Safety footwear is one of the most important protective equipment, with many workplace accidents involving foot injuries. The new EN ISO 20345 2022 standard offers more precise certification and safety levels, with workplace environment analysis being key to choosing the right safety shoes.

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