Small Business Standards has released a new Personal Protective Equipment Compendium for the Construction Sector, developed together with EBC, the German Textile Cleaning Association (DTV) and the European association of SMEs that manufacture safety products SME-Safety. This tool provides construction SMEs with practical guidance on selecting and managing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in line with EU regulatory requirements and harmonised standards.
The well-being of its workforce is a top priority for small construction companies, which make up the vast majority of the sector. Although there has been steady progress in occupational health and safety, construction remains exposed to various risks on construction sites.
In that context, many small firms face challenges navigating complex regulatory requirements, technical standards and market offerings. This Compendium tries to respond to this need by translating legal obligations, risk-assessment principles and standardisation requirements into accessible explanations designed for day-to-day practice.
The document brings together legal obligations, technical specifications and operational considerations in a format adapted to the needs of smaller construction companies, which often face difficulties navigating the complexity of PPE legislation and certification. Structured around the lifecycle of PPE, the publication provides:
- Explanations on the regulatory framework, the role of CE marking and conformity assessment, and the specific responsibilities of employers when providing protective equipment to workers;
- An extensive overview of the relevant harmonised standards for protective clothing, gloves, footwear, respiratory equipment, eye and ear protection, as well as dedicated guidance on fall protection and the SUCAM approach (Selection, Use, Care and Maintenance);
- Guidance on evolving issues such as digitalisation and the increasing use of multinorm garments, considering that PPE management is changing rapidly;
- A focus on the growing importance of sustainability, highlighting how textile service providers, repairability, recycling strategies and emerging eco-design principles can support both safety outcomes and environmental objectives
By consolidating this information into a single resource, the Compendium supports SMEs in making informed and compliant choices that reflect real-world risk scenarios in construction environments. Developed with the support of safety and construction experts, this tool reinforces SBS’s commitment to strengthening safety culture across the construction ecosystem and ensuring that SME needs are fully reflected in European standardisation work.
The compendium will soon be available in French, Italian and German.
