The Covid-19 pandemic has brought the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) into sharp focus.

What is PPE and what is it used for?

PPE is anything that is worn or held by a person to protect them from injury or infection and encompasses hundreds of products that stretch from head to toe, from protective clothing, helmets, hearing and respiratory protection to body armour, gloves, boots and fall protection.

However, in the context of Covid-19, PPE relates to items that many key workers, such as NHS staff, have been wearing to help stop the spread of Covid-19. These items include:

• Face masks
• Medical gloves
• Protective clothing
• Eye protection

To keep people safe and to reduce health risks, PPE has to comply with all the requirements of the PPE Regulation and carry the CE marking to be sold legally in the EU. However, for the UK market, from 1 January 2023, UKCA marking will replace traditional CE marking and all products that previously required the CE marking will need to have UKCA marking affixed by an approved body.