The practical enforcement of the Regulation EU 2016/425 and the application of European Standards by notified bodies require an exchange of experience between notified bodies. The legal provisions governing the activities of notified bodies under Regulation (EU) 2016/425 and in particular the articles on coordination (Art. 36) and on the “administrative decisions and documents produced as a result of the work of that [coordination] group” which shall be applied “as general guidance” (Art. 24(11).
The European Coordination of Notified Bodies for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is aimed at forming a platform for discussion on a horizontal (general) as well as vertical (PPE-specific) level, and offering advice to all parties involved. It consists of a Horizontal Committee, an Ad Hoc Group and Vertical Groups.
The Technical Secretariat is responsible for the coordination of the activities of the Horizontal Committee and acts as the contact point for all parties involved in questions relating to the coordination of notified bodies for PPE in Europe. The Technical Secretariat is held by NEN and is based on a contract with the European Commission.
The European Coordination of Notified Bodies in the field of PPE is the forum where notified bodies discuss all questions of a horizontal nature relating to the involvement of notified bodies in the certification of PPE as laid down in the PPE Regulation, e.g. the interpretation of type examination procedures or quality control measures. Solutions are proposed on technical issues and recommended for use by all notified bodies under the form of ‘Recommendations for Use‘.