The Complete Guide to CE & EN Certified Height Safety Equipment
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The Complete Guide to CE & EN Certified Height Safety Equipment
From climbing trees to abseiling large buildings, working at height demands equipment you can trust. That’s why choosing gear that meets the necessary CE and EN safety standards is essential for safety and compliance.
In this guide, we break down the key EN certifications for height safety equipment and highlight a range of products available at MTN that meet each standard.
What are EN Standards?
EN standards (also known as European Norms) are harmonised technical standards that define the minimum safety and performance requirements for products sold and used across Europe. For height safety equipment, EN standards ensure that items such as harnesses, connectors, lanyards and anchor devices have been tested under strict conditions and meet defined strength, durability and functional requirements.
In practice, EN standards make it easier for professionals to choose compatible, compliant equipment that performs as expected in real-world working-at-height conditions.
7 Key EN Standards for Fall Protection Equipment
Fall protection systems are made up of numerous components, including full body harnesses, lanyards and connectors. Each component has its own EN standard, ensuring that every part of the system meets specific safety and performance requirements.
| EN Standard | Component | Description |
|---|---|---|
| EN 361 | Full Body Harness | Defines safety and performance requirements for full body harnesses |
| EN 358 | Work Positioning Lanyards | Covers equipment used to position or retrain a worker |
| EN 355 | Energy Absorbing Lanyards | Defines how energy absorbers must reduce impact forces during a fall arrest |
| EN 362 | Connectors | Safety requirements for carabiners, hooks and snap hooks used to link components in a fall protection system |
| EN 795 | Anchor Devices | Requirements for anchorage devices used as fixed or temporary anchor points |
| EN 360 | Retractable Fall Arresters | Covers retractable fall arrest devices that lock automatically during a fall |
| EN 353-1 / EN 353-2 | Guided Type Fall Arresters | Covers fall arrest systems either running on a rigid anchorage line or with a flexible anchor line |
Breaking Down the EN Standards
EN 361 – Full Body Harnesses
EN 361 is the foundation of any personal fall arrest system. It specifies the safety and performance requirements for full body harnesses designed to distribute arresting forces across the body during a fall. A compliant EN 361 harness must include shoulder and leg straps and at least one dedicated fall arrest attachment point marked “A” (or “A/2”). Testing verifies the harness can withstand dynamic fall loads and maintain structural integrity under stress, helping ensure the user remains securely supported in the event of a fall.
EN 358 – Work Positioning Lanyards
EN 358 defines performance criteria for belts and lanyards for work positioning and restraint, helping ensure the equipment remains secure and functional under working loads. Equipment tested for EN 358 must only be used in applications that allow for hands-free movement such as working on structures, ladders or poles. They must never be incorporated into or used as part of a fall arrest system.
EN 355 – Energy Absorbing Lanyards
EN 355 defines the requirements for energy absorbers used in in combination with lanyards, anchor lines and full body harnesses – typically integrated with shock-absorbing lanyards. The purpose of an EN 355 absorber (energy or shock-absorbing) is to reduce the fall arrest forces transmitted to individuals in the event of a fall, with impact force limited to a maximum of 6kN.
EN 362 – Connectors
EN 362 covers the safety requirements for connectors including carabiners, snap hooks and other attachment hardware used in fall protection systems. Since connectors are critical link points, EN 362 ensures they meet minimum standards for strength, lock mechanism reliability, gate resistance and overall durability.
When testing tensile strength for EN 362 (for industrial PPE including fall arrest systems, work restraint, work positioning, rope access etc), tensile loads are applied and held for 3 minutes. However, for EN 12275 (for PPE designed for mountaineering, rock climbing, climbing walls, canyoneering etc), the load is increased to the point where breakage occurs. It is therefore highly important to be aware of the standard that each connector has been tested against when comparing products.
EN 795 – Anchor Devices
EN 795 defines safety requirements for anchor devices used as attachment points for fall protection systems. It covers different types of anchorage solutions (e.g. temporary anchors, fixed anchor points, horizontal lifeline systems depending on type classification). Since the anchor is the foundation of the entire system, EN 795 focuses on structural strength, reliability and performance under test loads. Choosing an EN 795 anchor device is critical to ensure the fall protection system has a safe and compliant connection point.
EN 360 – Retractable Fall Arresters
EN 360 applies to retractable fall arrest devices, commonly known as self-retracting lifelines (SRLs) or inertia reels. Available in various lengths, these devices must retract guided by a spring-loaded mechanism but lock quickly in the event of a fall in order to stop the fall of the wearer in as short a distance as possible. EN 360 testing focuses on reliable locking function, strength under load, and performance during dynamic fall testing. EN 360 SRLs are often chosen where limiting free fall distance and maintaining worker mobility are key priorities.
EN 353-1/ EN 353-2 – Guided Type Fall Arresters
EN 353-1 and EN 353-2 define the safety and performance requirements for guided type fall arrest systems, which provide continuous fall protection while allowing vertical movement.
EN 353-1 applies to guided fall arresters running on a rigid anchor line, such as a fixed rail or track permanently installed on a structure.
EN 353-2 covers guided fall arresters used with a flexible anchor line, typically a rope or cable system that the device travels along.
Both standards ensure that the fall arrester locks automatically in the event of a fall, safely arrests the user, and withstands dynamic loads without failure. Testing focuses on reliable locking behaviour, compatibility with the guide system, controlled arrest forces and overall durability. EN 353-1 and EN 353-2 systems are widely used where permanent or semi-permanent vertical access and continuous fall protection are required.
Additional Height Safety Standards
| EN Standard | Component | Description |
|---|---|---|
| EN 354 | Lanyards | Used as connectors and components in personal fall protection systems |
| EN 813 | Sit Harnesses | Commonly used in rope access and positioning |
| EN 1496 | Rescue Lifting Devices | Used to rescue someone and raise them from a lower to a higher place e.g. winches |
| EN 397 | Industrial Safety Helmets | Provide protection against impact and penetration in workplace environments |
| EN 12492 | Mountaineering & Climbing Helmets | Designed to protect against falling objects and impact during climbing and rope access activities |
Building a Compliant Fall Protection System
A fall protection system is only as effective as the way its components work together. While each item is certified to its own EN standard, safe use depends on combining compatible equipment into a complete system. This typically includes:
- Full body harness certified to EN 361
- Connecting element/lanyard certified to EN 354 or EN 355
- Connectors certified to EN 362
- Anchor device certified to EN 795
When used correctly, these components form a compliant fall arrest system designed to limit fall distance, reduce arrest forces, and protect the user during work at height.
Choosing the Right EN-Certified Equipment for your Work
| Work Type | Typical Use Case | Relevant EU Standards |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Arrest | Risk of free fall from edges, roofs, platforms or vertical access | EN 361 (Harness) EN 355 (Energy Absorber) EN 354 (Lanyard) EN 362 (Connectors) EN 795 (Anchors) |
| Work Positioning/Restraint | Holding the user in place or preventing access to a fall hazard | EN 358 (Positioning systems) EN 813 (Sit harnesses) |
| Vertical Access & Ladders | Climbing fixed ladders, towers, masts or industrial structures | EN 353-1 (Rigid guided systems) EN 353-2 (Flexible guided systems |
| Rope Access & Suspended Work | Facade work, inspection, maintenance using rope access techniques | EN 813 (Sit harnesses) EN 12841 (Rope adjustment devices) EN 341 (Descent devices) EN 1496 (Rescue lifting devices) |
Selecting equipment certified to the correct EN standards helps ensure the system is suitable for the task, compliant, and safe to use when working at height.
Upgrade Your Height Safety Equipment with MTN
EN standards provide the framework for safe and compliant work at height but selecting the right combination of equipment is just as important as understanding the standards themselves.
At MTN SHOP, we supply a comprehensive range of CE-marked, EN-certified height safety equipment. Whether you’re building a complete fall protection system or replacing individual elements, our team is on hand to help you choose the right components for your application.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are EN safety standards?
2. Where can I find official information on EN standards?
3. Is CE marking mandatory for fall protection equipment in the EU?
4. Can I mix equipment certified to different EN standards?
5. How do I know which EN standard I need for my job?
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