CAT II PPE
Standards & Certifications
What Is CAT II PPE? Safety Glove Classification Explained
CAT II PPE means personal protective equipment classified under Category II of the EU PPE Regulation because it protects against risks that are neither the minimal risks assigned to Category I nor the very serious risks specifically assigned to Category III.
Key point:
CAT II is a regulatory PPE risk category. It should not be confused with
a glove’s EN performance rating, such as an EN 388 result.
CAT II = Risk Category
Category II identifies the regulatory risk classification of the PPE under Regulation (EU) 2016/425.
Performance = Product Testing
Actual protection performance is established through the applicable standards, tests, markings and technical documentation.
What Does Category II Mean Under the EU PPE Regulation?
The EU PPE Regulation, Regulation (EU) 2016/425, divides personal protective equipment into three risk categories.
Category I
Protection against the limited minimal risks specifically listed in the Regulation.
Category II
Protection against risks other than those covered by Categories I and III.
Category III
Protection against specified very serious risks that may cause death or irreversible damage to health.
Under Regulation (EU) 2016/425, Category II PPE is subject to EU type-examination (Module B) followed by conformity to type based on internal production control (Module C).
The regulation defines Category II broadly by exclusion: it covers risks other than those specifically listed for Categories I and III. Category III, by contrast, specifically includes serious risks such as certain hazardous substances, oxygen-deficient atmospheres, harmful biological agents, ionising radiation, extreme-temperature environments, falls from height, electric shock and live working, chainsaw cuts, high-pressure jets, bullet wounds or knife stabs, and harmful noise.
Simple way to understand it
Category I covers specifically defined minimal risks, Category II covers risks falling outside Categories I and III, and Category III covers specifically identified very serious risks.
Category I vs Category II vs Category III
Category I
Minimal risks
Minimal risks
→
Category II
Other specified PPE risks
Other specified PPE risks
→
Category III
Very serious risks
Very serious risks
The categories are regulatory classifications. The appropriate category depends on the intended protective function and risk covered by the PPE.
Recommended Visual: PPE Risk Classification
Replace this placeholder with an infographic comparing Category I, Category II and Category III. Highlight Category II as the central focus and explain that the three categories represent different regulatory risk classifications.
Why Are Many Protective Safety Gloves CAT II?
Many industrial protective gloves are designed to deal with hazards such as mechanical risks encountered during handling, assembly, construction, manufacturing and similar work.
Where the intended protection falls within Category II rather than Category I or III, the glove is subject to the Category II conformity-assessment procedure.
For gloves, applicable standards may address characteristics such as:
- Abrasion resistance
- Cut resistance
- Tear resistance
- Puncture resistance
- Impact protection, where applicable
- General glove design and information requirements
Important distinction
CAT II = regulatory risk category.
Performance rating = evidence of how the glove performs
against a particular hazard or test method.
A CAT II designation does not, by itself, tell a buyer how abrasion-resistant, cut-resistant or puncture-resistant a glove is. That distinction is essential when comparing industrial gloves.
Examples of CAT II Safety Gloves
The precise classification must be established for the individual PPE based on its intended protection and the applicable regulatory requirements. However, CAT II commonly appears in protective glove documentation for products providing protection against medium-level occupational hazards.
Examples can include gloves designed for:
- General mechanical handling
- Assembly work
- Material handling
- Construction tasks
- Industrial maintenance
- General-purpose workplace protection
- Mechanical risks involving abrasion, cut, tear or puncture hazards
A glove intended for a more serious risk listed specifically in Category III must not simply be treated as CAT II because it also provides mechanical protection.
For example, the EU PPE Regulation specifically lists cuts by hand-held chainsaws among Category III risks.
This is why buyers should evaluate the intended hazard, protection claim and conformity documentation together, rather than selecting PPE by the CAT number alone.
Recommended Visual: Industrial Glove Applications
Replace this placeholder with realistic industrial photography showing assembly, material handling, construction and maintenance applications where protective gloves may be relevant.
CAT II Safety Gloves and EN 388
One of the most important distinctions for glove buyers is the relationship between CAT II classification and EN 388 performance testing.
EN 388 is concerned with specified mechanical protection characteristics, while CAT II is a PPE risk category under Regulation (EU) 2016/425.
Remember
A glove can have CAT II classification + EN 388 performance marking. These two pieces of information answer different questions.
| Information | What It Tells the Buyer |
|---|---|
| CAT II | The PPE’s regulatory risk category. |
| EN 388 | Applicable mechanical protection performance information. |
| Performance levels | The glove’s measured result against the relevant test characteristics. |
| CE marking | Indicates that the applicable EU conformity process has been completed and the manufacturer has declared conformity. |
| EU Declaration of Conformity | The manufacturer’s formal declaration identifying the PPE and applicable conformity information. |
What Does the EN 388 Marking Tell You?
An EN 388 marking communicates performance information for applicable mechanical hazards. Depending on the glove and tests performed, this can involve characteristics such as abrasion, cut, tear, puncture and impact.
The exact rating should always be read from the glove marking and supporting documentation rather than assumed from the CAT II designation.
How Is CAT II PPE Assessed?
The conformity-assessment process is one of the defining characteristics of Category II PPE.
Under Article 19 of Regulation (EU) 2016/425, Category II PPE follows:
1
Module B — EU Type-Examination
A notified body examines the technical design of the PPE and verifies that it meets the applicable requirements of the Regulation.
2
Representative Specimen
The examination includes the technical documentation and a specimen representative of the intended production.
3
EU Type-Examination Certificate
Successful type-examination establishes that the examined PPE design complies with the relevant requirements.
4
Module C — Production Conformity
The manufacturer ensures that production remains consistent with the examined type and continues to satisfy the applicable requirements.
5
EU Declaration of Conformity
The manufacturer formally declares conformity of the PPE with the applicable requirements.
6
CE Marking
The appropriate CE-marking requirements are applied before the PPE is placed on the EU market.
Important: Category II uses Module B followed by Module C. Category III uses Module B followed by Module C2 or Module D for the applicable production-phase conformity assessment.
Recommended Infographic: CAT II Conformity Assessment
Replace this placeholder with a professional seven-stage infographic: design → specimen → Module B → type-examination certificate → Module C → EU Declaration of Conformity → CE marking.
What Should Buyers Check on a CAT II Safety Glove?
A CAT II label should be considered the starting point, not the end of the purchasing review.
For a professional PPE procurement decision, check the product identification, marking, applicable protection standards and accompanying documentation.
CE Marking
Verify that the required CE marking is present and provided in the manner required by the Regulation.
Product Identification
Ensure the specific glove model can be identified and traced through its documentation.
Applicable Standards
Check which standards support the glove’s stated protection characteristics.
EU Declaration of Conformity
Review the formal manufacturer declaration and applicable conformity information.
Instructions & Information
Confirm that the supplied information explains proper use and relevant limitations.
Traceability
Make sure product and documentation details can be connected to the specific glove supplied.
CAT II PPE Label and Documents: Buyer’s Checklist
| What to Check | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| CAT II classification | Confirms the stated PPE risk category. |
| CE marking | Indicates the applicable EU conformity process has been completed. |
| Product/model identification | Helps establish exactly which PPE was assessed. |
| Protection pictograms | Show the intended protection areas. |
| Performance levels | Provide product-specific test performance information where applicable. |
| Applicable standards | Show the technical basis used for conformity. |
| EU type-examination information | Important evidence for Category II conformity assessment. |
| EU Declaration of Conformity | Formal manufacturer declaration of conformity. |
| Instructions for use | Provides required information for proper use and limitations. |
| Traceability information | Helps buyers connect the glove to its documentation and production identity. |
Does CAT II Mean a Glove Is Safe for Every Industrial Hazard?
Direct answer
No. CAT II classification does not mean that a glove protects against every industrial hazard. It identifies a regulatory category; it does not create a universal protection guarantee.
For example, a glove may provide mechanical protection but still be unsuitable for:
- Chemical exposure
- Electrical hazards
- Chainsaw cutting hazards
- Extremely high or low temperatures
- High-pressure jets
- Other Category III risks
The correct selection process is therefore:
Workplace Hazard
→
Required Protection
→
Suitable Glove Design
→
Applicable Standard/Test
→
Verified Performance
→
Classification & Documentation
This approach is safer than selecting gloves solely because the package says “CAT II.”
CAT II PPE vs CAT III PPE
For buyers comparing products, the key difference is the risk category and corresponding conformity-assessment route.
| Feature | CAT II PPE | CAT III PPE |
|---|---|---|
| Risk definition | Risks other than Categories I and III. | Specifically identified very serious risks. |
| EU type-examination | Required | Required |
| Module B | Yes | Yes |
| Production conformity | Module C | Module C2 or Module D |
| Notified body involvement | Type-examination | Type-examination plus production-phase involvement |
| Notified-body number in CE marking | Not required by the Category III CE-number rule | Required alongside CE marking |
| Buyer focus | Confirm type-examination, product conformity and actual performance. | Confirm type-examination plus appropriate ongoing conformity assessment. |
Recommended Visual: CAT II vs CAT III
Replace this placeholder with a two-column technical comparison showing the different risks and conformity-assessment routes.
What CAT II Means for Safety Glove Buyers
For an importer, distributor, PPE brand or industrial procurement team, CAT II should be treated as one part of the product-verification process.
Before approving a glove, buyers should confirm:
The Hazard
What specific hand hazard is the glove intended to address?
The Protection Claim
What protection is actually claimed: mechanical, cut, impact or another applicable hazard?
The Test Standard
Which relevant standard and edition support the claimed performance?
The Performance Result
What actual performance levels are shown on the product marking and documentation?
The Conformity Route
Is the product correctly classified, type-examined and subject to the required production conformity procedure?
The Documentation
Can the supplier provide the relevant EU Declaration of Conformity and supporting certification documentation?
How Protekta’s Manufacturing Expertise Supports PPE Buyers
For B2B glove buyers, understanding regulatory classification is only one part of supplier evaluation. Manufacturing control also matters because the finished glove needs to remain consistent with the assessed product design.
Protekta states that its manufacturing operation in Sialkot, Pakistan includes research and development, cutting, stitching, printing and quality assurance, with quality checks carried out at multiple production stages.
For buyers evaluating CAT II glove programs, this manufacturing perspective is useful because product development, material selection, construction and quality-control processes need to work together with the product’s documented specifications.
See the company’s quality focus and certifications pages for company-specific information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CAT II PPE?
CAT II PPE is personal protective equipment classified under Category II of Regulation (EU) 2016/425. It covers risks other than the minimal risks specifically listed for Category I and the very serious risks specifically listed for Category III. Category II PPE follows EU type-examination under Module B and conformity to type based on internal production control under Module C.
What are CAT II safety gloves?
CAT II safety gloves are protective gloves whose intended risks place them in Category II under the applicable EU PPE regulatory framework. The designation does not itself specify the glove’s performance level. Buyers must also check the relevant protection standard, test results, markings and documentation.
Is CAT II better than CAT I?
CAT II is not simply a “better” version of Category I. The two categories cover different regulatory risk classifications. Category I is specifically limited to the minimal risks listed in the Regulation, while Category II covers risks outside Categories I and III.
Is CAT II better than CAT III?
No. Category III is intended for specifically identified risks that can have very serious consequences, such as death or irreversible damage to health. It therefore has a different and more demanding conformity-assessment regime. The correct category depends on the hazard.
Do CAT II gloves need CE marking?
PPE placed on the EU market under Regulation (EU) 2016/425 is subject to the applicable CE-marking requirements once conformity has been demonstrated. The CE marking must be visible, legible and indelible, subject to the placement provisions of the Regulation.
Do CAT II gloves need a notified body?
Yes. Category II PPE requires EU type-examination by a notified body as part of Module B. Category II then proceeds with conformity to type based on internal production control under Module C.
Does CAT II tell me how cut-resistant a glove is?
No. CAT II identifies the PPE risk category. It does not provide the glove’s cut-resistance result. For mechanical-protection gloves, buyers should examine the applicable standard and the actual performance marking or test documentation.
What documents should I request for CAT II safety gloves?
Buyers should review the product identification, applicable standards, relevant type-examination information, EU Declaration of Conformity, required instructions and product markings. The exact documentation package can depend on the product and applicable conformity route.
Does a CAT II glove protect against chemicals?
Not automatically. PPE classification does not mean that the glove protects against every hazard. Chemical protection requires appropriate product design, claims, testing and applicable requirements. The intended hazard should always be matched to the glove’s documented protection.
Are all industrial safety gloves CAT II?
No. The category depends on the risks against which the particular PPE is intended to protect. Category II is defined as risks other than those specifically included in Categories I and III. Some gloves may therefore fall into other categories depending on their intended protective function.
Sources & References
- Regulation (EU) 2016/425 on Personal Protective Equipment — European Union / EUR-Lex. Risk categories, CE marking and conformity-assessment procedures.
- European Commission — Personal Protective Equipment harmonised standards. Information on harmonised standards supporting the PPE Regulation.
- European Agency for Safety and Health at Work — PPE guidance. Overview of PPE categories, conformity assessment and CE marking.
- European Agency for Safety and Health at Work — Protective gloves. Guidance on protective-glove marking and the relationship with Regulation (EU) 2016/425 and harmonised standards.
Related Protekta Resources
| Resource | Recommended Context |
|---|---|
| Protekta Certifications | Use when readers need company-specific certification information. |
| Quality Focus | Use when discussing manufacturing controls and quality assurance. |
| Protekta Gloves | Use when the reader is ready to explore the company and its industrial glove manufacturing capabilities. |
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