Personal Protective Equipment Testing

What is a PPE test?

A personal protective equipment (PPE) test ensures different types of PPE equipment are safe and secure and can protect the wearer as intended. PPE includes clothing and other articles intended to protect the wearer from injury or other health-related risks. Conducting a PPE test is a legal obligation in many jurisdictions, and it also helps R&D teams discover faults early.

The testing required of PPE is as varied as an equipment’s intended use and the potential risk to the user. Some specific types of testing include:

• Biological resistance testing – including penetration testing, as well as antimicrobial and antibacterial testing
• Chemical resistance testing – including chemical penetration and permeation testing
• Protective ensemble testing – such as testing for chemical, vapor or liquid splash resistance of full body protection systems and clothing ensembles
• Impact protection testing – for sports helmets and occupational headwear, as well as body protection equipment
• Protective hand and footwear testing – for gloves and shoes used in hazardous work environments
• Fall arrest equipment testing – for positioning belts and body harnesses used in construction and maintenance
  

Why are PPE tests important?

In potentially dangerous workplace environments, workers rely on PPE to protect against health and safety risks, and on the assurances of PPE manufacturers that their equipment will perform as promised.

Testing of PPE sold or used in the EU is required under the terms of the EU’s PPE Directive and the EU’s forthcoming PPE Regulation. PPE used in the US in federally regulated workplaces must also meet the requirements of product-specific American National Standards and the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

TÜV SÜD is a global expert in personal protective equipment testing

A global leader in testing and certification, TÜV SÜD’s team of experts are experienced with most types of PPE. Our standing as an independent third-party assessor instils confidence in the quality and safety of your products. Through our global network of testing laboratories, you can benefit from testing support regardless of where your PPE is manufactured or distributed.