Answer to Question 1:

Francis,

The 1993 General Application Regulations states that employers must ensure that PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) complies with any relevant European Technical Standards Directive that lays down technical health and safety standards for PPE.  Relevant European Standards (EN’s) have now being developed for PPE, and forms of PPE meeting these standards are now on the market.

EN397 - specifies physical and performance requirements of industrial safety helmets.  Certain tests are mandatory if the product is to receive EN397 approval. These include; shock absorption; resistance to penetration; flame resistance, chinstrap anchorage.