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April 21, the European Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Regulation came into force. One important change for producers and importers of consumer products is the designation of oven gloves and potholders as PPE. How does this affect you as a manufacturer or importer?
Since April 21, stringent safety requirements have applied to PPE sold on the European market. Oven mitts and potholders must undergo conformity testing and bear a CE mark. The technical file is assessed by a European certified testing institute in an EU Type Examination. This means that every size, design and color oven mitt you sell must be type-tested.
There are currently no harmonized standards valid for potholders and oven mitts with which you can demonstrate a presumption of conformity with the Regulation: the standard is in draft form. However, the Regulation is clear about the safety requirements and there are several methods for testing oven mitts on them.
There are currently many potholders and oven mitts in stores that do not comply with the new Regulation. Oven mitts and potholders must be manufactured so that they do not contain any harmful substances for the skin. Oven mitts must be of a minimum size so that an average hand can fit inside them properly, and it must also adequately protect against holding hot objects. Even after multiple washes, the oven mitt or potholder must be safe. In addition, marking regulations apply that provide for proper use of the PPE and describe the possible risks involved.
EU Type Approval can be a complicated and lengthy process. The products must have been previously tested in a test institute for the above criteria - this is usually possible in the country of production. The test report is then reviewed as part of a comprehensive technical file by an EU certified testing institute located within the EU. The technical file must meet several requirements before it is assessed as correct and the CE mark may be placed.
No idea how to get started? Précon Quality Services can assist you. We have close contact with the European inspection institutes that perform the EU Type Approvals as well as contacts with test laboratories in China, Hong Kong and India who test the products according to the legislation. Your safe oven gloves in safe hands!
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