Employer Duties for PPE in Denmark

Arbejdsgiverens ansvar for værnemidler: det skal du som arbejdsgiver

Employer Responsibility for PPE: What You Must Do as an Employer

As an employer you must provide PPE, pay for it, give instruction and ensure maintenance. See the requirements and what to check when buying.

As an employer you must provide the right personal protective equipment (PPE), pay for it, ensure that employees receive instruction, and ensure that the equipment is kept clean and in good order. PPE must be CE marked. Here is what that means in practice.

What must you do as an employer?

Provide PPE. The employer must supply employees with personal protective equipment that suits the task and is in good condition.
Pay. The employer bears the costs of procurement, maintenance and cleaning and owns the equipment. The employee should therefore not have to buy it themselves. For work clothing and safety footwear, a collective agreement or other agreement may split the costs differently, but not for PPE against the most serious risks (category III).
Give instruction. Employees must be instructed in how to use the PPE and informed about the risk of not using it. Employees must also be trained and, if necessary, practise using the equipment. The instructions for use must be in Danish unless safety considerations require another language.
Ensure maintenance and hygiene. PPE must be clean, dry and disinfected before use. Maintenance, cleaning and storage follow the supplier's instructions.
Follow up. The manager must ensure that the PPE is actually used, and act if it is missing or not being used.

PPE is the last line of defence

Personal protective equipment must be used when the risk cannot be removed or reduced by other means. Collective solutions such as screening, extraction and ventilation come first. It is the workplace assessment (APV, arbejdspladsvurdering) that determines which PPE the work requires. Document the choice and follow up on it regularly.

CE marking: what should you check?

PPE must comply with the EU Regulation 2016/425 on personal protective equipment and be CE marked. When buying, check:

That the product is CE marked and has the standard that matches the risk. Safety shoes fall under EN ISO 20345, gloves against mechanical risks under EN 388 and high-visibility clothing under EN ISO 20471.
That the manufacturer can supply an EU declaration of conformity or a link to it.
That the instructions for use are included and are in Danish.
That the type and class match your APV. For respiratory protection, the CE mark is followed by the registration number of the independent test institute.

Read more about the standards in our guides to safety shoes, EN 388, EN ISO 20471 and the 3-hour rule for respiratory protection.

Is ordinary workwear covered?

Work clothing and uniforms that are not specifically intended to protect safety and health fall outside the rules on personal protective equipment. Hi-vis clothing, safety shoes, hearing protection, gloves and respiratory protection are PPE.

Purchasing for the whole company

With a business account at Mestershop you see all prices excl. VAT and get fixed business prices on the range when you are logged in. Become a business customer and you can buy PPE and workwear in one place.

Frequently asked questions

Must the employer pay for PPE?

Yes. The employer bears the costs of procurement, maintenance and cleaning of personal protective equipment and owns it.

Must the employee receive instruction?

Yes. The employer must ensure instruction in use and information about the risk of not using the equipment. Employees must also be trained and, if necessary, practise using the equipment.

What does the CE mark on PPE mean?

That the manufacturer documents that the product meets the requirements of the EU Regulation on personal protective equipment. Ask for the declaration of conformity if you are in doubt.

Who decides which PPE must be used?

It is determined by the risk assessment in your APV. Use PPE where the risk cannot be removed or reduced by other means.

If you need help finding the right equipment, see safety shoes, gloves and respiratory protection, or call us on +45 89 88 67 26.

Source: the Danish executive order on the use of personal protective equipment (bekendtgørelse, BEK no. 612 of 29 June 2026, in force from 1 July 2026) and Regulation (EU) 2016/425. This article is for guidance and is not an exhaustive legal review.