Mandatory Periodic Inspection of Personal Protective Equipment Against Falls from a Height
in Hungary – From 2026
Effective January 1, 2026, legislation came into force requiring that periodic inspections of personal fall protection equipment may only be performed by the manufacturer or by a notified body for the inspection, testing, or certification of that specific type of personal protective equipment.
GÉPTESZT Kft., as a notified body, is authorized to perform these inspections throughout Hungary.
Regulatory Background – European Standard vs. Hungarian Legal Requirement – What Applies in Practice?
Across the European Union, the harmonized standard EN 365 defines the general rules for the periodic inspection of personal fall protection equipment.
According to EN 365 Standard – Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Against Falls from a Height:
The standard defines practical requirements,
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periodic inspection is mandatory,
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it must be carried out by a competent person,
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inspection frequency must not exceed 12 months (or 6 months under intensive or high-risk conditions).
The standard also specifies a standardized inspection record sheet template in which the following must be recorded:
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inspections and maintenance,
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date of manufacture of the equipment,
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date of purchase,
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date of first use
– ensuring full lifecycle traceability of the equipment.
However, once fall protection equipment is placed into use in Hungary, national legislation applies, and this requirement is stricter than the general European standard. The obligation for periodic inspection of fall protection PPE is established by Government Decree 61/2023. (XII. 28.) GFM, which amends Decree 65/1999. (XII. 22.) EüM.
From 1 January 2026, under Hungarian law:
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periodic inspection remains mandatory,
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but it may only be performed by the manufacturer or a notified body designated for that specific PPE category.
This means that while EN 365 establishes the general European framework, in Hungary the legally binding requirement is stricter and must be followed by employers.
Personal Protective Equipment | Periodic Inspection Cycle (Maximum) | Normative Document |
|---|---|---|
Rescue lines designated for self-rescue devices on lifting equipment | 6 months | Decree 47/1999 (VIII. 4) GM, Annex – Publication of Lifting Equipment Safety Regulations, Chapter III, Section 3.4.7 – Lifting Equipment |
PPE used during operation of electrical installations - Work positioning belt, Full body harness, Lanyards, Rescue equipment, Climbing aids | 6 months | MSZ 1585:2016 – Operation of Electrical Installations (EN 50110-1:2013 and national supplements), Section 4.6.102.7 |
Personal protective equipment against falls from a height | 12 months | MSZ EN 365:2005, Section 4.4 b – General requirements for use, maintenance, periodic examination, repair, marking, and packaging |
Equipment and PPE used in rope access work | 6 months | Decree 11/2003 (IX.12) FMM, Section 14 (2) – Rope Access Safety Regulations |
Who Needs Mandatory Inspection of Fall Protection Equipment?
Inspection frequency: Maximum 12 months
Building Construction
and Roofing Work
Roofers, carpenters, scaffolders, façade contractors, and all professionals who work on roofs or at height without collective protection.
Structural Construction
and Tower Work
Bridge erectors, tower assembly workers, steel structure installers, tank and production line builders.
HVAC and Mechanical Installation
HVAC technicians, ventilation specialists, and building services engineers who perform installation or maintenance at height.
Façade and Industrial Cleaning
Window cleaners, façade cleaners, and industrial rope access workers.
Industrial Maintenance
Maintenance workers, machine fitters, and technicians working at height in factories and industrial halls.
All Employers
Every company that provides fall protection PPE to its employees.
Inspection frequency:
Generally 6–12 months, depending on intensity of use
Inspection frequency: Maximum 6 months
Industrial Rope Access Technicians
Industrial rope access workers using rope access techniques where the feet are not supported by a stable surface during work.
Arboricultural Tree Work
(Rope-Based)
Tree surgeons and arborists who work at height using rope access techniques.
High-Voltage Electrical Work
Utility pole workers, power line electricians, and electrical work performed at height.
Periodic inspection is mandatory wherever collective protection cannot be provided and fall prevention is achieved through personal protective equipment – whether in the form of work positioning, travel restraint, or fall arrest systems.
As a general rule, according to the EN 365 standard, fall protection equipment must be inspected at intervals not exceeding 12 months. For high-risk, intensive rope access work, professional regulations may require inspection frequencies of 6 months.
Which Personal Fall Protection Equipment are we Examining?
We conduct mechanical and functional testing of PPE in our in-house laboratory in accordance with harmonized EN and selected ANSI standards.
EN 353-1 – Guided type fall arresters including an anchor line
EN 353-2 – Guided type fall arresters including a flexible anchor line
EN 354 – Lanyards
EN 355 – Energy absorbers
EN 358 – Work positioning belts
EN 360 – Retractable type fall arresters
EN 361 – Full body harnesses
EN 362 – Connectors
EN 795 (Class B) – Transportable temporary anchor devices
EN 813 – Sit harnesses
EN 12841 – Rope adjustment devices
EN 1496 – Rescue lifting devices
EN 1497 – Rescue harnesses
EN 1891 – Low stretch kernmantel rope
EN 564 – Accessory cords
EN 566 – Mountaineering slings
EN 567 – Mountaineering rope clamps
EN 12275 – Mountaineering connectors
EN 12277 – Mountaineering harnesses
EN 12278 – Pulleys
EN 341 – Descender devices for rescue
How Does the Periodic Inspection Work?
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Initial contact or request for quotation
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Agreement on inspection method and appointment
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Equipment drop-off at laboratory or on-site inspection
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Inspection performance and documentation
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Inspection report and data storage assurance
The inspected equipment is managed in a digital tracking system, which supports the scheduling of subsequent inspections. A label indicating the next inspection due date is affixed to each piece of equipment.
Why Choose GÉPTESZT Kft.?
Notified Body – Designation Number: NB 2233
GÉPTESZT Kft. is authorized as a Notified Body under the European Union regulation on personal protective equipment to perform inspections of fall protection equipment.
Regulatory Compliance and Independence
We conduct our inspections according to objective, documented procedures, with institutional independence and legal accountability.
Fast Turnaround
Inspection turnaround time is typically 3 working days, depending on the number and type of equipment.
Following advance booking, we can complete the necessary inspections within 24 hours.
Nationwide Coverage
Inspections can be performed either by drop-off at our laboratory or by on-site visit upon arrangement.
References – Professional Experience
GÉPTESZT Kft. has decades of experience in occupational safety and machinery safety. Since 2009, as a Notified Body, we have performed the inspection and certification of hundreds of thousands of pieces of personal protective equipment for clients operating in industrial, construction, and specialized application sectors.
Our clients value:
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Clear regulatory interpretation,
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Fast and predictable service delivery,
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Complete and transparent documentation.
Questions? We're Here to Help.
If you have questions about regulatory obligations, the inspection process, or the compliance of your equipment, our technical specialists are ready to assist.
Request a quote or contact us now.
Working hours:
Monday-Friday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Hungarian time (CEST)
