- Mechanical testing
- Seam strength, tensile, tear, water penetration, dimensional changes, etc
- Flame and heat resistance
- Hi-viz color tests
- Retroreflectors
- No testing for chemical resistance
In Europe, placing PPE products on the market is regulated by the PPE Regulation (2016/425). This applies to most safety products intended for use in professional use as well as in leisure and sports activities.
All PPE products covered by 2016/425 must meet the Essential Health and Safety Requirements (EHSR) listed and described in the PPE Regulation.
In 2019 SGS acquired the business and assets of the personal protective equipment (PPE) testing and certification activities of the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FIOH).
Accredited Testing Since 1993
The first step to check the quality of PPE is to conduct testing to assess the compliance with relevant test standards. Harmonized standards have been published for the PPE Regulation and compliance provides a presumption of conformity with the EHSR of the PPE Regulation.
In addition to the testing, the harmonized standards also describe the requirements for User Information and Product Marking.
On this page
Our testing laboratories provide comprehensive testing services for many types of PPE
- Mechanical testing of strength, safety, ergonomic and quality features of footwear
- Slip resistance
- No testing for metatarsal, Cr-6, molten metal splashes
- Core standards EN 352-1, -2, -3
- Electronic features
- FM radio
- aux-in
- Bluetooth
- ANR
- Level-dependent function, etc
- Flexible scope
- Possibility to develop new testing methods for features where no existing standard
Most common:
- Guided type fall arresters including anchor lines
- Belts and lanyards for work positioning or restraint
- Full body harnesses
- Anchor devices
- Lifejackets and buoyancy aids (PFD), immersion suits, diving suits
- Mechanical and material tests
- In-water performance tests
- SOLAS
- lifejackets
- immersion suits
- thermal protective aids
- Clothing and gloves
- Footwear
- New standard EN ISO 11393 in accreditation scope!
- Medical face masks
- Respirators
- Community face masks/coverings made of fabric
SGS Fimko Ltd is a testing laboratory T004 accredited by FINAS, the Finnish accreditation services, in accordance with the SFS-EN ISO/IEC 17025 standard. This means that our mask laboratory in Helsinki can perform accredited tests according to EN 149 (half masks), EN 14683 (medical face masks), and CWA 17553 (community face coverings).
Read more about our global testing and certification services for protective face masks.
- Anti-slip devices
- Ice picks
- Protective garments and gloves for motorcycle riders excluding impact and abrasion test
- Protective equipment for ice hockey players
- Protectors used in sports excluding impact and abrasion test
Certification services for PPE
- High visibility protective clothing and visibility accessories
- Protective clothing against rain and cold
- Protective clothing against heat and flame, electric arc, welding, anti-static, chemical risks
- Knee protectors
- Gloves against mechanical, cold, thermal and chemical risks
- Ballistic protection equipment
- Module C2/D conformity assessment services for cat. III clothing and gloves
- Safety footwear
- Occupational footwear
- Footwear for fire fighters
- Footwear for welders
- Footwear to be used in foundries
- Module C2/D conformity assessment services for cat. III footwear
- Earmuffs, earplugs, helmet mounted earmuffs
- Passive and active products
- Various electronic features
- Module C2/D conformity assessment services
- Guided type fall arresters including anchor lines
- Belts and lanyards for work positioning or restraint
- Full body harnesses
- Anchor devices
- Module C2 conformity assessment services
- Lifejackets and buoyancy aids (PFD)
- Immersion suits
- Diving suits
- Module C2/D conformity assessment services for cat. III products (lifejackets)
- Clothing
- Gloves
- Footwear
- Filtering half masks, respirators
- Half and full face masks
- Powered filtering devices
- Filters
- Module C2/D conformity assessment services
Read more about our global testing and certification services for protective face masks.
- Anti-slip devices
- Ice picks
- Protective garments for motorcycle riders
- Protective gloves for motorcycle riders
- Protective equipment for ice hockey players
EU Declaration of Conformity (DoC) is required
Regulation (EU) 2016/425 classifies all PPE into one of three risk categories – I, II and III – based on the severity of the risk it protects its user from, each requiring the manufacturer to produce an EU Declaration of Conformity (DoC). Certification requirements vary from self-certifying to type examination, depending on the risk category. After certification, qualifying products must display the CE Mark.
We provide EU Type Examination certification according to module B for Category II and III products through our Notified Body (SGS Fimko Oy NB No. 0598).
We also provide conformity assessment control services according to modules C2 and D for Category III products.
Why choose PPE testing and certification from SGS?
SGS Fimko Oy is the most significant provider of testing, certification (EU type examination) and quality assurance services for personal protective equipment (PPE) in the Nordic Countries.
Our experts have long experience in testing and certification of PPE. We provide one stop solutions for PPE product compliance with testing and certification requirements.
