CE testing? What you should know!

Interview with Ms Claudia Maier - Head of Certification Body Products, Hohenstein

Some time ago I had made a survey, which questions you are interested in the topic CE-marking / testing. I promised you an interview with a specialist. In the following article you will find a written interview with Ms Claudia Maier from the notified body Hohenstein. There, our fencing suits were also subjected to the conformity procedure and tested and confirmed in accordance with the applicable regulations. As the head of the certification body, she is the expert for this topic and was kind enough to answer the following questions. Thank you very much Mrs. Maier.

1. what exactly is your job?

As a notified body for personal protective equipment (PPE) at Hohenstein, we test and assess products for their conformity with Regulation (EU) 2016/425 (abbreviation: VO).

Quote from the Regulation:
"This Regulation lays down requirements for the design and manufacture of personal protective equipment intended to be made available on the market in order to ensure the protection of the health and safety of users and to establish rules for the free movement of PPE within the Union. “

In short, it is about certifying that a manufacturer is free to place his product, which is intended to provide a certain level of protection to the user, on the European market. The complete process is described as a conformity assessment procedure.

2. what is CE certification and why and for whom is it important?

The word "CE certification" is basically incorrect, as we do not "CE certify", but subject products with one or more protection target(s) to a conformity assessment procedure so that the manufacturer may affix the CE mark to his product after a positive result. This procedure checks whether the product complies with all relevant legal
requirements.

How does the certification of a fencing jacket work? What steps or tests does it go through?

The manufacturer submits his samples with the necessary documents to the certification body. This includes the application documents as well as the documentation belonging to the PPE such as technical documents, descriptions, reports, dimension tables, material lists, label, manufacturer's instructions, etc. We check the submitted documents and assess whether they correspond to the type and whether the requirements are basically fulfilled.
The type is then subjected to the tests that are specifically required for this type of clothing. When all the results have been brought together, the evaluation of the whole operation can take place.
If all requirements are met, the EU type examination certificate can be issued. This certifies to the manufacturer that the PPE complies with the essential health and safety requirements of the Regulation. He can now affix the CE mark to his PPE, issue the EU declaration of conformity and place the PPE on the market.

4. is it permissible to offer a fencing jacket or trousers simply with a fabric tested for impact resistance?

No, this is not sufficient. The puncture resistance test is an essential part, but only one part, of the tests necessary for conformity assessment for fencing protective clothing. The necessary requirements for the protection of the user can be found in Regulation (EU) 2016/425 Annex II.
To facilitate the consideration of all essential points, the relevant tests are summarized in so-called requirement standards or technical specifications. For fencing protective clothing, the testing requirements are embodied in EN 13567:2002+A1:2007 (DIN EN 13567:2007-09) - Protective clothing -hand, arm, chest, lower body, leg, genital and face protectors for fencers - requirements and test methods. In addition to testing the upper material for puncture resistance and the
dimensions of the protective zones, the seams and closures, the dimensional change of the processed main materials as well as the harmlessness of all materials processed in the PPE are also tested. The ergonomics as well as the design of the PPE are important examination parameters, since the freedom of movement and comfort should be restricted as little as possible when wearing the
protective clothing.

5. how can I recognize a correctly certified jacket or fencing clothing in general?

1) On the sewn-in CE mark: As soon as a conformity assessment on the basis of harmonized standards or technical specifications applied for by the manufacturer (= distributor in accordance with the Regulation) has been completed with an EU type examination certificate, the manufacturer is entitled to affix the CE mark firmly and permanently to this PPE.

2) The PPE must also be accompanied by an EU declaration of conformity in paper form, or alternatively this can be accessed via a website provided by the manufacturer. The associated Internet link must then be specified in the instructions.

3) The instructions accompanying the PPE contain important information for the user.

4) The sewn-in label has all the information also necessary for identification: Name and postal address of the manufacturer, article description, article number, material composition, pictogram/s with performance levels, reference to the instructions, figurine, size designation, care label, warnings, date of manufacture, etc.

6. how can I proceed as a consumer if I am not sure about the certification of the clothing?

Consumers should in the first instance contact the manufacturer and address all relevant questions to him. Another possibility is to contact the notified body mentioned in the instructions. This can provide information on the validity of the EU type-examination certificate. The number of the relevant certificate can be found in the EU declaration of conformity.

Further information: www.hohenstein.de/psa

With us you always get protective equipment that has been tested according to the applicable regulations. After all, it's about your safety. And that is close to our hearts.