Guides and comparisons to help you choose your personal protective equipment
In this blog section dedicated to personal protective equipment (PPE), you'll find all the guides, comparisons, and regulatory advice for professionals, local authorities, and industrial companies. Choose your equipment according to the risks and professions:disposable gloves for handling, food contact, and care; FFP and surgical masks for respiratory risks; safety footwear compliant with EN ISO 20345; and disposable coveralls for chemical, biological, and contamination risks.
Kolmi, Medicom, UPower: the leading brands in professional personal protective equipment
For over 45 years, Voussert has been committed to prioritizing European and French manufacturers for its PPE ranges. Kolmi is the leading French manufacturer of surgical and FFP2 masks , made in France at the Medicom Group's factory in Anjou, guaranteeing traceability and compliance with the most demanding European standards. Medicom distributes a complete range of CE-certified disposable nitrile and vinyl gloves, highly regarded in the healthcare, food processing, and industrial sectors. UPower offers safety shoes that combine athletic comfort with EN ISO 20345 compliance, adopted by professionals in construction, logistics, and services.
Professional PPE: Standards, choices and regulatory obligations
How to choose your PPE according to occupational risks?
Choosing personal protective equipment (PPE) begins with a workplace risk assessment, formalized in the Single Risk Assessment Document (DUERP). A powder-free nitrile glove does not meet the same requirements as a chemical-resistant or cut-resistant glove. Similarly, a surgical mask protects the wearer's surroundings, while an FFP2 or FFP3 mask protects the wearer from aerosols and fine particles. Matching the risk level, the applicable standard, and the PPE category is the essential first step before any purchase, whether for a public authority or a company.
CE marking, EN standards and PPE categories: what the European regulation says
European Regulation EU 2016/425 classifies PPE into three categories according to the level of risk. Category I covers minor risks (gardening gloves, sunglasses). Category II includes most common professional PPE (nitrile gloves, FFP2 masks, safety shoes). Category III encompasses PPE against fatal or irreversible risks (type 5 and 6 chemical protective suits, self-contained breathing apparatus). All PPE placed on the European market must bear the CE marking accompanied by the notified body number for categories II and III. Professional buyers must verify the presence of the declaration of conformity and the instructions for use in French.
PPE manufactured in France and Europe: quality, traceability and industrial sovereignty
The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic highlighted Europe's dependence on Asian supplies for critical PPE. Since then, French and European manufacturing of masks, gloves, and coveralls has regained importance, driven by companies like Kolmi-Hopen, now part of the Medicom group, whose factories are located in Angers, France. Choosing PPE produced in Europe means prioritizing complete traceability of the manufacturing chain, certified compliance with the latest EN standards, and guaranteed availability in the event of global supply chain disruptions. For public procurement entities subject to supply contracts, the origin of manufacture and the carbon footprint of PPE are becoming increasingly important evaluation criteria in specifications. Medicom has also developed its own manufacturing chain with its Coverfell range of disposable gloves, made in France.