According to EU Regulation 2016/425, by Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) we mean any device or item intended to be worn or held by a person for protection against one or more risks to that person's health or safety, as well as any functional complement forming part of that item, even if removable. The personal protective equipment (PPE) is divided into three categories:
Cat I. PPE of simple design intended to safeguard the person against risks of minor physical harm, the effects of which can be identified in good time and without harm to the user.
Cat. II PPE that does not belong to the other two categories.
Cat. III. PPE of complex design intended to safeguard against risks of death or severe and irreversible injuries.
The EN 170 standard specifies the functional requirements and protection levels of ultraviolet filter transmittance. If the eye is exposed to ultraviolet light for an extended period of time, it may lose its transparency, causing the impairment or loss of eyesight. Protective eyewear compliant with EN 170 therefore meets the performance requirements to protect the eye against ultraviolet radiation during hazardous activities.
