M/BC/CEN/88/6 - PPE: Hearing protection
Order for standardization concerning Personal Protective Equipment (P.P.E.) - hearing protection
This mandate requests the revision of existing European standards and European prestandards (ENs/ENVs) related to hearing protection as part of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The objective is to update and harmonize standards under the direction of CEN Technical Committee 136 to ensure effective protection of users against hearing hazards in the workplace. The revision aims to enhance safety, performance, and conformity assessment criteria for hearing protective devices in line with current technological and regulatory developments.
Purpose
This mandate concerns the revision of existing European Standards (ENs) and European Prestandards (ENVs) related to personal protective equipment (PPE) specifically for hearing protection. Its aim is to ensure that the standards governing hearing protection devices remain up to date, effective, and aligned with current technological and safety requirements.
Standardisation request
The European Committee for Standardization (CEN), through its technical committee CEN/TC 136, is tasked with revising the current standards and prestandards related to hearing protection under PPE. The mandate calls for updating specifications, test methods, performance criteria, and labeling requirements to reflect advancements in hearing protection technology and ensure user safety.
Expected deliverables
- Revised European Standards and Prestandards related to hearing protection devices used as personal protective equipment.
- Updated testing methodologies and performance evaluation protocols.
- Enhanced safety and usability criteria to improve hearing protection effectiveness.
- Clear and harmonized labeling requirements for hearing protection equipment.
Context
Hearing protection is a critical component of personal protective equipment aimed at reducing the risk of hearing loss in noisy environments. This mandate is part of the ongoing efforts to maintain high safety standards across the EU and ensure that PPE manufacturers comply with harmonized technical requirements. The revision process responds to changes in technology, usage patterns, and regulatory frameworks to better protect workers and consumers from noise-related hazards. The resolution reference CEN/TC 136 196/2003 underlines the committee responsible for these standardization activities.
This mandate covers the standardization of personal protective equipment specifically focused on hearing protection. It involves revising existing European standards related to hearing protection devices used to safeguard individuals from harmful noise exposure in various workplaces and environments.
General Information
This document gives recommendations for the selection, use, care and maintenance of hearing protectors.
- Standard37 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
This part of the standard specifies requirements for construction, design, performance, marking and user information for ear-muffs. In particular, it calls for the sound attenuation of the ear-muffs, measured in accordance with EN 24869-1, to be declared and to be not less than a specified minimum. This part of the standard does not deal with ear-muffs for attachment to a helmet or which are part of a helmet. The requirements of this standard are intended to take account of the ergonomic interaction between the wearer, the device and where possible the working environment in which the device is likely to be used (see Annex ZA, of this standard and EN 458).
- Standard15 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
This part of the standard specifies constructional, design and performance requirements, marking requirements and user information for ear-plugs. In particular, it calls for the sound attenuation of the ear-plugs, measured in accordance with EN 24869-1, to be declared and to be not less than a specified minimum. The requirements of this standard are intended to take account of the ergonomic interaction between the wearer, the device and where possible the working environment in which the device is likely to be used (see Annex ZA, of this standard and EN 458).
- Standard14 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
This document gives recommendations for the selection, use, care and maintenance of hearing protectors.
- Standard49 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
This document gives recommendations for the selection, use, care and maintenance of hearing protectors.
- Standard49 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
This part of the standard specifies constructional, design and performance requirements, marking requirements and user information for ear-plugs. In particular, it calls for the sound attenuation of the ear-plugs, measured in accordance with EN 24869-1, to be declared and to be not less than a specified minimum. The requirements of this standard are intended to take account of the ergonomic interaction between the wearer, the device and where possible the working environment in which the device is likely to be used (see Annex ZA, of this standard and EN 458).
- Standard14 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
This part of the standard specifies requirements for construction, design, performance, marking and user information for ear-muffs. In particular, it calls for the sound attenuation of the ear-muffs, measured in accordance with EN 24869-1, to be declared and to be not less than a specified minimum. This part of the standard does not deal with ear-muffs for attachment to a helmet or which are part of a helmet. The requirements of this standard are intended to take account of the ergonomic interaction between the wearer, the device and where possible the working environment in which the device is likely to be used (see Annex ZA, of this standard and EN 458).
- Standard15 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
This document gives recommendations for the selection, use, care and maintenance of hearing protectors.
- Standard37 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
This European Standard gives recommendations for the selection, use, care and maintenance of hearing protectors. Special types of hearing protectors are outside the scope of this standard, although they are classified in 4.4, and some of the guidance will be relevant to them.
- Standard35 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
This European Standard gives recommendations for the selection, use, care and maintenance of hearing protectors. Special types of hearing protectors are outside the scope of this standard, although they are classified in 4.4, and some of the guidance will be relevant to them.
- Standard35 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
This part of the standard is concerned with ear-muffs and specifies constructional design and performance requirements, methods of test, marking requirements and user information. It calls for information to be made available concerning the sound attenuation characteristics of the ear-muffs measured in accordance with EN 24869-1, and defines a minimum level of attenuation required for compliance with this specification. This part of the standard does not deal with ear-muffs for attachment to a helmet or which are part of a helmet. Neither does it deal with the performance of electronic devices which may be incorporated with ear-muffs nor amplitude sensitive ear-muffs. This standard does not deal with the performance of hearing protectors to impulsive noise.
- Standard25 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
This part of the standard is concerned with ear-plugs and specifies constructional, design and performance requirements, methods of test, marking requirements and user information. It calls for information to be made available concerning the sound attenuation characteristics of the ear-plugs measured in accordance with EN 24869-1, and defines a minimum level of attenuation required for compliance with this specification. This part of the standard also includes custom moulded ear-plugs and banded devices; it does not deal with the performance of electronic devices which may be incorporated within ear-plugs nor amplitude-sensitive ear-plugs. This standard does not deal with the performance of hearing protectors to impulsive noise.
- Standard13 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
This part of the standard is concerned with ear-plugs and specifies constructional, design and performance requirements, methods of test, marking requirements and user information. It calls for information to be made available concerning the sound attenuation characteristics of the ear-plugs measured in accordance with EN 24869-1, and defines a minimum level of attenuation required for compliance with this specification. This part of the standard also includes custom moulded ear-plugs and banded devices; it does not deal with the performance of electronic devices which may be incorporated within ear-plugs nor amplitude-sensitive ear-plugs. This standard does not deal with the performance of hearing protectors to impulsive noise.
- Standard13 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
This part of the standard is concerned with ear-muffs and specifies constructional design and performance requirements, methods of test, marking requirements and user information. It calls for information to be made available concerning the sound attenuation characteristics of the ear-muffs measured in accordance with EN 24869-1, and defines a minimum level of attenuation required for compliance with this specification. This part of the standard does not deal with ear-muffs for attachment to a helmet or which are part of a helmet. Neither does it deal with the performance of electronic devices which may be incorporated with ear-muffs nor amplitude sensitive ear-muffs. This standard does not deal with the performance of hearing protectors to impulsive noise.
- Standard25 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
Frequently Asked Questions
A European Standardization Mandate is a formal request from the European Commission to the European Standardization Organizations (CEN, CENELEC, and ETSI) to develop European standards (ENs) in support of EU legislation and policies. Mandates are issued under Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012 and help ensure that products and services meet the essential requirements set out in EU directives and regulations.
M/BC/CEN/88/6 is a European Standardization Mandate titled "Order for standardization concerning Personal Protective Equipment (P.P.E.) - hearing protection". Order for standardization concerning Personal Protective Equipment (P.P.E.) - hearing protection There are 14 standards developed under this mandate.
Standards developed in response to a mandate and cited in the Official Journal of the European Union become "harmonized standards". Products manufactured in compliance with harmonized standards benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation, facilitating CE marking and market access across the European Economic Area.