New EU PPE Standards for 2026: What Manufacturers of Gloves, Waterproof Clothing and Eye Protection Must Do

Key data

If you manufacture or distribute hairdressing gloves, waterproof work clothing or eye protection glasses and screens in the EU, this regulation directly affects you. Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1971, published on 4 September 2026, amends Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1279 to incorporate updated harmonized standards under the Regulation (EU) 2016/425 on personal protective equipment.

The change is not minor: harmonized standards are the most direct way to demonstrate that PPE complies with the essential requirements of the regulation. If your certification is based on a standard that has become outdated, your CE marking may be at risk.

What does this regulation establish?

Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1971 amends Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1279 to incorporate updated harmonized standards in three categories of PPE. The affected categories are detailed below:

The key mechanism is the presumption of conformity: manufacturers who certify their products in accordance with updated harmonized standards automatically benefit from the presumption that they comply with the essential requirements of Regulation (EU) 2016/425. This simplifies the certification process and reduces the burden of proof before notified bodies and market surveillance authorities.

The previous standard—Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1279—is amended with respect to these three categories. Companies that already had certifications under the previous version must verify whether their reference standards remain valid or have been replaced by the new harmonized versions.

Economic and operational impact

The main impact is not a direct fine, but loss of the right to market. Without valid CE marking, PPE cannot be sold in the European single market. This has immediate economic consequences:

• Product withdrawal from market: If a certification becomes invalid due to failure to adapt to new harmonized standards, the product must be withdrawn from sale until new certification is obtained.
• Recertification costs: Notified bodies will need to adapt their evaluation procedures to the new standards, which may involve new tests, audits and issuance of updated certificates.
• Sales paralysis: During the recertification process, the company cannot legally market the product in the EU.
• Reputational risk: Removal of CE marking can affect customer and distributor confidence, especially in B2B markets where certification is a contractual requirement.

For distributors, the risk is equally real: if they market products from manufacturers that have not updated their certifications, they may be exposed to liability before market surveillance authorities.

Who does it affect?

• Manufacturers of protective gloves for hairdressers marketing in the EU whose certifications are referenced to previous harmonized standards.
• Manufacturers of protective clothing against rain for occupational use that must maintain valid CE marking.
• Manufacturers of eye and facial protection devices—glasses, screens, visors—for workplace environments.
• Distributors and importers of these PPE in the European market, who must verify that the products they market have updated certifications.
• Notified bodies responsible for conformity assessment of these products: they must adapt their procedures to the new standards.
• Technical compliance managers (compliance officers, quality directors) in PPE manufacturing or importing companies.

Practical example

A Spanish company manufacturing protective gloves for hairdressers currently holds CE marking obtained through a notified body, with reference to a harmonized standard included in Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1279 in its previous version.

Following publication of Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1971 on 4 September 2026, the company must verify with its notified body whether the reference harmonized standard has been updated or replaced. If the standard has changed, the manufacturer will need to initiate a recertification process that includes the new tests required by the updated standard.

Until it obtains the new certification, the product cannot rely on the presumption of conformity with Regulation (EU) 2016/425, which may result in removal of CE marking and inability to market the product in the European single market until the process is completed.

What should companies do now?

1. Identify if your products are in the affected categories: Review whether you manufacture or distribute hairdressing gloves, occupational waterproof clothing or eye and facial protection devices with CE marking.
2. Contact your notified body: Request confirmation on whether the harmonized standards referenced in your current certifications have been updated or replaced by the new Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1971.
3. Review the status of your certifications: Check the issue date and reference standards of each CE certificate. If the standards have changed, initiate the recertification process without delay.
4. Update technical documentation: Ensure that the declarations of conformity and technical documentation of your products reflect the updated harmonized standards.
5. Inform your distribution chain: If you are a manufacturer, communicate the status of certifications to your distributors to prevent them from marketing products with non-updated CE marking.

The risk of non-compliance is concrete: removal of CE marking means inability to market the product in the European single market until new certification is obtained.

Official source

View complete regulation on official source

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/./legal-content/AUTO/?uri=CELEX:32026D1971