National Framework for Personal Protective Equipment Conformity Assessment - Infrastructure

November 2017
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication Number 2018-102
Cover page for publication 2018-102, National Framework for Personal Protective Equipment Conformity Assessment - Infrastructure

The goal of our efforts at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is to provide national and world leadership to prevent workplace illnesses and injuries. We accomplish this by conducting and supporting activities to protect workers from work-related exposures to hazards. One core objective of this approach involves the development and use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Workers are more likely to appropriately use PPE when they are confident that the equipment will provide the intended protections based on its conformance with appropriate standards. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (the Academies) indicates that “for the consumer or worker, conformity assessment provides confidence in the claims made about the product by the manufacturer and may assist the consumer with purchasing decisions in determining the fitness of a product for it its intended use.” [IOM, 2011, page 3] A comprehensive and tailor-made conformity assessment (CA) program is the most effective way to manage risks of a non-conforming PPE and instill this confidence in PPE users.

Suggested Citation

NIOSH [2017]. National framework for personal protective equipment conformity assessment – infrastructure. By D’Alessandro M. Pittsburgh, PA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication 2018–102.

Page last reviewed: November 17, 2017