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 1731 standard specifies materials, design, performance requirements, test methods and marking requirements for mesh eye and face protectors. This standard is not applicable to eye and face protectors for use against liquid splash (including molten metal), hot solid risks, electrical hazards, infrared and ultra violet radiation. Mesh eye and face protectors for use in sports such as ice hockey and fencing are excluded.
