Buyer resources
PPE Knowledge Center
Practical guidance for comparing safety products, workplace applications, model features and procurement requirements.
MSQ SAFE’s PPE Knowledge Center gives procurement teams practical, engineering-based guidance on safety footwear, gloves, helmets, respirators, hi-vis clothing and fall protection. Every guide explains the applicable EN or ASTM standard in plain language, links to the product category it supports, and tells you what to confirm before you order. Start with the guides, then request a quote.
How to Use This Knowledge Center
Each guide answers a specification question — the difference between S1P and S3, the A–F cut scale in EN 388, or the clearance a fall-arrest lanyard needs. Guides translate markings and classes into what they mean on a worksite and what they should look like on a test report. Where a standard spans several product types, the guide links to the standards & directives reference page for the full class-by-class detail.
Keep two things in mind: a standard name on a product page is a claim — verify the test report and its edition for the exact SKU and market; and certification class is not the same as real-world suitability. See Testing & Test Reports for how documents are confirmed.
Safety Footwear Guides
S1P vs S3 Safety Shoes: What’s the Difference?
When waterproofing decides the class: S1P adds a penetration-resistant midsole; S3 adds a cleated, water-repellent outsole on top. Includes a decision checklist for wet sites.
EN ISO 20345 Explained: Safety Shoe Rating Guide
Explains the full rating string — SB to S3, plus SRC, HRO, CI, EH and WRU — so a code like “S3 SRC HRO” is meaningful at the tender desk.
How to Choose Safety Shoes for Construction Workers
A five-step framework mapping site hazards to footwear classes, model features and budgets — built for buyers sourcing for crews.
Hand & Head Protection Guides
EN 388 Cut Levels Explained: A to F Guide
What the six-digit EN 388 code means, why position 2 shows “X”, and how the TDM (ISO 13997) A–F scale replaced the old Coup 1–5 numbers.
EN 397 vs EN 12492: Which Safety Helmet?
The chin strap is the real difference: EN 397 releases at 150–250 N to avoid snagging; EN 12492 holds at 500 N to stay on in a fall. Also covers optional markings and EN 50365.
Respiratory & Hi-Vis Guides
FFP1, FFP2, FFP3: Respirator Selection Guide
Filtration classes (80/94/99%), inward leakage limits, the NR/R/D suffixes, and why FFP2, KN95 and N95 are not legally interchangeable.
Hi-Vis Class 1, 2 or 3: EN ISO 20471 Guide
Class is set by minimum material area (0.14/0.50/0.80 m²), not colour. Explains combining garments to reach Class 3 and why wash cycles belong in comparisons.
Fall Protection Guide
How to Calculate Fall Clearance: EN 355 Guide
Why a 2 m lanyard can need ~6.5 m of clearance, how fall factor changes the arithmetic, and when an EN 360 retractable is the only workable option.
Quick Selection: Start From the Hazard
Sourcing by hazard? This table routes you to the right guide and category.
| Primary hazard | Product category | Start with this guide | Marking to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Falling or heavy objects (feet) | Safety footwear | EN ISO 20345 explained | 200 J toe-cap (SB and above) |
| Wet, oily or steel surfaces | Safety footwear | S1P vs S3 | SRC slip class |
| Cuts from sharp edges | Hand protection | EN 388 cut levels | TDM cut level A–F |
| Objects falling on the head | Head protection | EN 397 vs EN 12492 | Strap release 150–250 N vs ≥500 N |
| Airborne dust and particles | Respiratory protection | FFP guide | FFP1/2/3 + NR/D |
| Low-light or roadside work | Hi-vis workwear | EN ISO 20471 classes | Class 1–3, wash cycles |
| Work at height / falls | Fall protection | Fall clearance guide | EN 355 lanyard + clearance |
| Liquid splash to eyes and face | Eye & face protection | EN 166 on the standards page | Field-of-use marks (3/4, B) |
What Buyers Should Confirm Before Ordering
Before you commit to a SKU, confirm these points with the supplier — each is a common source of specification drift:
- Standard edition. Which revision does the test report cite (e.g. EN ISO 20345:2022 vs the 2011 edition)? Markings change between revisions.
- Documents per SKU and market. Conformity documents and test reports are confirmed for the selected model and market, not a product family. Ask for the specific report — see Testing & Test Reports and Standards & Conformity Documents.
- QC and sampling plan. Incoming material inspection, in-line checks, pre-shipment sampling and acceptance criteria can be agreed per order — see Quality Control by Product & Order.
- Commercial terms. MOQ, lead time, packaging and incoterms are confirmed at quotation. MSQ SAFE’s target reply is one business day via Request a Quote or contact.
Explore Product Categories
Browse by protection area — each page lists models, markings and OEM options.
- Safety footwear
- Hand protection
- Head protection
- Eye & face protection
- Hi-vis workwear
- Respiratory protection
- Hearing protection
- Fall protection
- Protective workwear
Can’t find the exact model? Browse the shop or send the application details — technical sales will map the hazard to the correct class and the matching models.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do these guides replace the standards documents themselves?
No. The guides translate standards into buying language, but the official standard text and the test report remain the governing references. Use a guide to shortlist, then verify the SKU against the cited edition and its report.
Are the guides based on the current editions of the standards?
Yes, as of publication — for example EN ISO 20345:2022 and EN 388:2016+A1:2018. Revisions appear over time, so confirm the edition named on the test report for your order.
Does a certification claim apply to every product MSQ SAFE sells?
No. Applicable standards and conformity documents are confirmed per SKU and destination market, not for the catalogue as a whole. State product, quantity and market in your quote request.
Do you supply for the US market as well as Europe?
Yes — the range includes European (EN) and North American (ASTM / ANSI) lines, such as ASTM F2413 footwear and ANSI/ISEA-rated gloves. Confirm the certification your destination market requires; EN and ASTM marks are not interchangeable.
Can we request test reports before placing an order?
Available test reports and conformity documents are confirmed by SKU via Testing & Test Reports or the quote request — note the certification requirement so the right documents come with the quotation.
Do you offer private label or OEM on standard models?
Yes. Private-label PPE and OEM programs are available — see Private Label PPE and OEM inquiry for scope and requirements.
How quickly will we get a technical answer?
MSQ SAFE’s target reply is one business day. Send the job, hazard and destination country; the technical sales team replies with the protection class, matching models and supporting documents.
Ready to specify? Send your application details, quantity and destination market for a quote within one business day — Request a Quote · WhatsApp