PPE Standards Guide for UAE Buyers
The EN standards behind PPE, by hazard: what each one covers and what to check before you buy. Free to read and download.
Buying PPE starts with the hazard, and each hazard has its own standard. A helmet, a respirator and a harness are tested to different standards, and a product marked to one gives no protection against another hazard. This guide lists the standards most often asked for on UAE sites, in plain language, with what to check on the product before you accept it.
Reviewed 19 October 2026. The guide is also available as a one-page-per-hazard PDF you can share with your site team.
Jump to a hazard
Head protection
Falling objects, bumps and electrical contact.
| Item | Standard | What it covers | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial safety helmet | EN 397 | Impact, penetration and flame resistance; optional low-temperature and electrical properties are marked on the shell | Marking inside the shell, manufacture date and shell life |
| Bump cap | EN 812 | Protection against bumping into fixed objects in low-headroom areas, not falling objects | Not a substitute for a helmet where objects can fall |
| Helmet for electrical work | EN 50365 | Electrically insulating helmets for low-voltage work | Check the voltage rating against the task |
Eye and face protection
Dust, splash, impact, radiation and welding.
| Item | Standard | What it covers | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spectacles, goggles, face shields | EN 166 | General requirements: mechanical strength, optical class and protection against liquids, dust and molten metal, shown as code letters on the frame and lens | Read the frame and lens codes for the hazard, e.g. droplets, dust or impact |
| Welding filters | EN 169 | Filter shade numbers for welding and related processes | Shade number must match the process and current |
| Welding eye protectors | EN 175 | Equipment for eye and face protection during welding | Use with the correct EN 169 filter |
Hearing protection
Noise exposure.
| Item | Standard | What it covers | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Earmuffs and earplugs | EN 352 | Attenuation performance, shown as an SNR value in decibels | Match attenuation to the measured noise level, avoid over-protection that isolates the wearer |
Respiratory protection
Dust, fumes, gases and oxygen-deficient atmospheres.
| Item | Standard | What it covers | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disposable filtering masks (FFP1, FFP2, FFP3) | EN 149 | Filtering half masks against particles, graded by filter efficiency | FFP3 for finer or more hazardous dust; check the valve and fit |
| Reusable half masks | EN 140 | Half masks that take replaceable filters | Fit-test and use with the correct filter |
| Gas, vapour and particle filters | EN 14387 and EN 143 | Gas and combined filters (letter and colour coded) and particle filters | Filter type and class must match the contaminant |
| Full-face masks | EN 136 | Full-face masks with higher protection factors and eye protection | Fit-test and use with the correct filter |
| Self-contained breathing apparatus | EN 137 | Breathing apparatus for oxygen-deficient or unknown atmospheres | Training and servicing are required; filters are not adequate here |
Hand protection
Cuts, abrasion, chemicals, heat, cold and electricity.
| Item | Standard | What it covers | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical-risk gloves | EN 388 | Abrasion, blade cut, tear and puncture performance levels, plus an impact and a cut-resistance letter where tested | The code shows four numbers and a letter; compare the levels for your task |
| Chemical-resistant gloves | EN ISO 374-1 | Protection against chemicals and micro-organisms, with type A, B or C by chemical breakthrough time | Check the listed chemicals for the exact substance you handle |
| Heat-resistant gloves | EN 407 | Contact heat, flame and molten metal splash performance | Check the contact heat level against the process temperature |
| Cold-resistant gloves | EN 511 | Convective cold, contact cold and water permeability | Use for cold stores and freezers |
| Insulating gloves for electrical work | EN 60903 | Live-working gloves by voltage class | Voltage class and test date must be current |
Foot protection
Impact, compression, penetration, slips and chemicals.
| Item | Standard | What it covers | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safety footwear | EN ISO 20345 | Toe protection for 200 joules of impact, with SB, S1, S1P, S2 and S3 grades; S3 adds water resistance and a penetration-resistant midsole | Read the grade code and the slip-resistance mark such as SRC |
| Protective footwear | EN ISO 20346 | Toe protection tested at 100 joules | Lower impact protection than safety footwear |
| Occupational footwear | EN ISO 20347 | Footwear without toe protection | Not for areas where objects can fall |
Body protection and clothing
Visibility, heat and flame, static, welding, chemicals, weather.
| Item | Standard | What it covers | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| High-visibility clothing | EN ISO 20471 | Background and reflective material areas in classes 1 to 3 | Class 2 or 3 is typical where vehicles or plant operate |
| Heat and flame protective clothing | EN ISO 11612 | Limited flame spread plus heat protection codes such as A, B, C, D, E and F | Check which heat codes are marked |
| Antistatic clothing | EN 1149-5 | Electrostatic dissipation, important in flammable atmospheres | Does not by itself protect against flame |
| Welding clothing | EN ISO 11611 | Protection against spatter and brief flame contact in welding | Class 1 or 2 depending on the process |
| Limited flame spread | EN ISO 14116 | Reduced flame spread, for use with other protection | Not a flame-resistant standard on its own |
| Chemical protective coveralls, type 6 | EN 13034 | Limited splash protection against liquid chemicals | Not for jet or full-body liquid exposure |
| Foul-weather clothing | EN 343 | Protection against rain and wind | Check water penetration and breathability classes |
Fall protection
Work at height, positioning and rescue.
| Item | Standard | What it covers | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-body harness | EN 361 | Harness for fall arrest | Inspect before every use; fit and adjust correctly |
| Work positioning belts and harnesses | EN 358 | Work positioning and restraint | Not for fall arrest by itself |
| Lanyards and energy absorbers | EN 354 and EN 355 | Lanyards and absorbers that limit the fall force | Check length and the maximum clearance required |
| Retractable fall arresters | EN 360 | Self-retracting lifelines | Check anchor point and clearance |
| Connectors | EN 362 | Connectors such as karabiners | Gate must lock and be compatible |
| Anchor devices | EN 795 | Anchor points, rails and lines for fall protection | Fit for the structure and the number of users |
| Fall arrest systems | EN 363 | How the components combine into one system | Components must be compatible |
Fire safety
Portable firefighting equipment.
| Item | Standard | What it covers | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portable fire extinguishers | EN 3 | Performance, fire ratings and markings of portable extinguishers | Match the extinguisher class to the fire risk; follow local Civil Defence requirements |
How to Check PPE Is Genuine
- Look for the EN number on the product or label, and check that it matches the hazard, not just the product type.
- Ask for the declaration of conformity and the certificate or test report for the exact model.
- Category III products, such as respirators and fall protection, should carry the CE mark followed by a four-digit notified body number. Ask for that body's certificate.
- Check the manufacture date, shelf life and inspection requirements; helmets, harnesses and lanyards have service lives.
- If a price is far below the market for a certified item, ask why. Counterfeit PPE is a real risk.
This guide is a general summary for buyers. It is not legal advice or a full statement of the standards. Your project HSE plan, your consultant and the relevant authority set the actual requirements, and the standards themselves are the authoritative text.
For footwear codes in detail, see our guide to safety shoe markings. For a hazard-by-hazard kit list for a site, see the construction site PPE checklist. To get a quote, see our safety equipment range.
Common Questions
Which PPE standards apply in the UAE?
PPE sold in the UAE is most commonly certified to European EN standards, and some items to ANSI or other standards. The standard that applies to your site is set by your project HSE plan, your consultant and the relevant authority, so always check your own specification.
How do I know PPE is genuine?
Check the EN number on the label, ask for the declaration of conformity and test certificate for the exact model, and for respirators and fall protection look for the notified body number after the CE mark. Be cautious of prices far below the market for certified items.
What does the code on safety boots mean?
Safety footwear to EN ISO 20345 is graded SB, S1, S1P, S2 or S3, with S3 adding water resistance and a penetration-resistant midsole, and a slip-resistance mark such as SRC. Our safety shoe markings guide explains each code.
Is this guide legal advice?
No. It is a general summary for buyers. The standards themselves are the authoritative text, and your HSE plan sets the requirement for your site.
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