HEMA and safety? What you should know!

Interview with Ms. Claudia Maier – Head of Product Certification, Hohenstein

Some time ago, I conducted a survey to find out which questions you were interested in regarding CE marking/testing. I promised you an interview with an expert on this topic. In the following article, you will find a written interview with Ms. Claudia Maier from the Hohenstein notified body. Our fencing uniforms were also subjected to the conformity procedure there and tested and certified in accordance with the applicable regulations. As the head of the certification body, she is the expert on this topic and kindly answered the following questions. Thank you, Ms. Maier.

Claudia Maier has been working for the testing service provider and research partner Hohenstein since 2002. After serving as deputy head of the product certification body from 2009, she took over as head of this department at the beginning of 2018.

1. What exactly do you do?

As a notified body for personal protective equipment (PPE) at Hohenstein, we test and evaluate 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 to be made available on the market in order to ensure the protection of the health and safety of users, as well as to lay down rules for the free movement of PPE within the Union. ”

In short, it's about certifying that a manufacturer is permitted to freely market their product, which is intended to provide a certain level of protection to the user, on the European market. The entire process is described as a conformity assessment procedure.

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

The term "CE certification" is essentially incorrect, as we do not "CE certify," but rather subject products with one or more protection objectives to a conformity assessment procedure so that, after a positive result, the manufacturer can affix the CE marking to their product. This procedure verifies whether the product complies with all relevant legal
requirements.

3. How does the certification of a fencing jacket work? What steps and tests does it undergo?

The manufacturer submits its samples along with the necessary documents to the certification body. This includes the application documents as well as the documentation pertaining to the PPE, such as technical documents, descriptions, reports, dimensional tables, material lists, labels, manufacturer's instructions, etc. We review the submitted documents and assess whether they correspond to the type and whether the requirements are generally met.
The sample is then subjected to the tests specifically required for this type of clothing. Once all the results have been compiled, the entire process can be evaluated.
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. The manufacturer can then affix the CE marking to their 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 made with a fabric tested for impact resistance?

No, that's not sufficient. The puncture resistance test is an essential, but only part of the tests required for conformity assessment of protective fencing clothing. The necessary requirements for user protection can be found in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2016/425.
To facilitate the consideration of all essential points, the relevant tests are summarized in so-called requirement standards or technical specifications. For protective fencing clothing, the test requirements are anchored in EN 13567:2002+A1:2007 (DIN EN 13567:2007-09) - Protective clothing - Hand, arm, chest, abdomen, leg, genital and face protectors for fencers - Requirements and test methods. In addition to testing the outer material for puncture resistance and the
In addition to the dimensions of the protection zones, the seams and fasteners, the dimensional changes of the main materials used, and the harmlessness of all materials used in the PPE are also examined. The ergonomics and design of the PPE are important parameters to consider, as wearing the
Protective clothing that should restrict freedom of movement and comfort as little as possible.

5. How can I recognize a properly certified jacket or fencing clothing in general?

1) On the sewn-in CE mark: As soon as a conformity assessment applied for by the manufacturer (=person placing the product on the market in accordance with the Regulation) on the basis of harmonised standards or technical specifications 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 a paper EU declaration of conformity, or alternatively, this can be accessed via a website provided by the manufacturer. The corresponding internet link must then be provided in the instructions.

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

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

6. What can I do as a consumer if I am unsure about the certification of the clothing?

Consumers should primarily contact the manufacturer and address any relevant questions to them. Another option is to contact the notified body listed in the instructions. This body can provide information on the validity of the EU type-examination certificate. The number of the relevant certificate can be found on the EU declaration of conformity.

Further information: www.hohenstein.de/psa

With us, you always get protective equipment that has been tested according to current regulations. After all, your safety is our top priority.