What is Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)?

PPE is the abbreviation of personal protective equipment. Personal protective equipment refers to the personal protective equipment (PPE) that is equipped by production and business units for employees to avoid or reduce accident injuries and occupational hazards during working. It is mainly used to protect users from serious work injuries or diseases caused by exposure to chemical radiation, chemical corrosion, electrical radiation, electric equipment, human equipment, mechanical equipment or in some dangerous workplaces.

After reading this description, many people may think that this type of equipment has nothing to do with them, especially those ordinary office workers, as well as "sitting workers" such as students. In fact, the previous description of personal protective equipment (PPE) is not accurate. For example, many sports and entertainment equipment also belong to personal protective equipment (PPE), such as bicycle helmets and sunglasses.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) also includes face masks, safety glasses/goggles, safety helmets, safety belts, safety gloves, safety shoes, hearing protectors, respirators; as well as a large number of respiratory protective equipment, protective clothing, portable instruments, etc.

When sneezing, coughing, or talking, COVID-19 is spread through small air droplets emitted by the infected person. Therefore, a variety of protective products are used to ensure protection against particles or small droplets in the air, such as masks, gloves, work clothes. Most of these products are so-called " Conscious Product", and there are special EU product regulations for these. Most of the products used in the current health crisis (including FFP masks) are considered personal protective equipment (PPE) and therefore are included in the scope of Regulations (EU) 2016/425.