EN363 – Personal Fall Protection Systems

The Latest Version of EN363

The latest version of the EN363 standard is EN 363:2008, which was published in 2008. This standard is part of the European Union’s Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Regulation (EU 2016/425) and specifies the requirements for personal fall protection systems, including their components and assembly.

Products Applicable to EN363

EN363 applies to personal fall protection systems used to protect individuals from falls from height. These systems include combinations of components such as:

1. Full-body harnesses (EN 361).
2. Lanyards (EN 354).
3. Connectors (EN 362).
4. Energy absorbers (EN 355).
5. Retractable fall arresters (EN 360).
6. Anchor devices (EN 795).

EN363 is particularly relevant for systems used in:

• Construction.
• Maintenance.
• Rescue operations.
• High-risk environments such as offshore platforms or industrial facilities.

Specific Details of EN363

The EN363:2008 standard specifies the following key requirements:

1. System Assembly:
   • The standard defines how individual components (e.g., harnesses, lanyards, connectors) must be assembled to ensure compatibility and safe operation.
   • It provides examples of how components can be connected to form a complete fall protection system.
2. Performance Requirements:
   • Dynamic performance: The system must arrest a fall and limit the force on the user to acceptable levels during a free-fall test.
   • Static strength: Each component must withstand a static load of 15 kN for at least 3 minutes without failure.
   • Corrosion resistance: Metallic components must resist environmental corrosion, such as rust, to ensure long-term reliability.
3. Labeling and Information:
   • Products must include the manufacturer’s name, batch number, EN 363 reference, and CE marking with a four-digit identification number.

EN363 Testing Methods

The EN363 standard specifies the following test methods:

1. Dynamic Performance Test:
   • Simulates a fall by dropping a test mass of 100 kg from a height. The system must arrest the fall and ensure the force on the user does not exceed the specified limit.
2. Static Strength Test:
   • Applies a static load of 15 kN for 3 minutes to verify the breaking strength of the system.
3. Corrosion Resistance Test:
   • Metallic components are exposed to a neutral salt-spray environment for 48 hours to assess resistance to corrosion.
4. Environmental Resistance Test:
   • Systems are tested under extreme conditions, such as high and low temperatures, to ensure performance reliability.
5. Compatibility Test:
   • Ensures that components from different manufacturers can be safely assembled and used together.

Notes on EN363

1. Compliance with PPE Regulation: Products must comply with the EU PPE Regulation (EU 2016/425) and undergo testing by a notified body for CE marking.
2. Re-Certification: Certified systems must be re-inspected every 12 months to ensure continued compliance and safety.
3. User Safety: Regular inspection and proper use of EN363-compliant systems are critical to ensure their effectiveness in fall protection scenarios.
4. Integration with Other Standards: Systems must use components that comply with relevant standards (e.g., EN 361 for harnesses, EN 354 for lanyards) to ensure overall system reliability.