Permanent anchor devices play a key role in protecting workers at height across construction, infrastructure and industrial environments. However, for more than a decade, uncertainty around their regulatory classification has created fragmentation across the European market.
The harmonisation of EN 17235 (February 2026) marks a significant turning point. It establishes, for the first time, a unified European framework for testing, assessing and certifying permanently installed anchor devices under the Construction Products Regulation (CPR).
For MSA customers and industry stakeholders, this development brings greater clarity, improved safety assurance and a clear path to compliance.
This paper sets out important information about EN 17235 and the positive changes it will bring.
Why EN 17235 was needed
The question of how permanent anchor devices should be classified has persisted for over two decades.
Historically, they were assessed under EN 795, a standard originally developed for personal protective equipment (PPE). However, a ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) around 2010 clarified that Class A 1 anchor devices, as defined in EN 795, fall outside the scope of European Union directives governing PPE. This decision was understood to apply to Class C (horizontal flexible anchor lines) and Class D (horizontal rigid anchor lines) devices, as both are permanently affixed to structures.
This created a regulatory gap. Anchor devices could no longer be presumed compliant under PPE rules, and as no harmonised alternative standard existed, different approaches emerged, leading to inconsistent requirements.
As a result, many manufacturers continued testing to EN 795 in the absence of a better option, while some countries introduced their own certification schemes, such as Germany’s DIBt approval process.
Recognising the need for a single harmonised standard, CEN/TC 128 – the technical committee responsible for developing standards for certain construction products – was tasked with developing a new European standard for permanent anchor devices. After extensive work and a prolonged administrative process, EN 17235 – Permanent Anchor Devices and Safety Hooks was published in September 2024. This new standard enables manufacturers to certify anchor devices under Regulation (EU) 305/2011 (the Construction Products Regulation) and apply the CE mark – solving fragmentation in the market and providing a dedicated standard aligned with the Construction Products Regulation.
What EN 17235 covers
EN 17235 applies to permanent anchor devices and safety hooks used in construction applications. It introduces a system-based approach, where performance is assessed not just at the product level, but across the full installation – so products are tested on the base material they will actually need to perform on.
The standard defines four types of “kits”:
- Kit A: Single anchor device
- Kit B: Anchor device with safety hook
- Kit C: Horizontal wire anchor line
- Kit D: Horizontal rail anchor line
Each kit is evaluated as a complete system comprising:
- The anchor device
- The fixing method
- The substrate (e.g. concrete, steel, timber)
The standard also specifies the maximum number of people that may be simultaneously attached to each kit:
- Kit A: up to 2 persons
- Kit B: up to 2 persons
- Kit C: up to 4 persons
- Kit D: up to 4 persons
As a whole, EN 17235 represents a fundamental shift from component-level testing to real-world performance validation.
A new approach to testing and performance
EN 17235 introduces more rigorous and realistic testing methodologies, combining both dynamic and static performance assessments.
Dynamic performance – dynamic testing evaluates how systems perform under fall arrest conditions. The standard requires that the system withstand a minimum fall arrest force of 9 kN, with additional load required for multiple users. Systems are classified depending on the number of users (up to four), with increasing load requirements.
Static performance – static testing measures the ultimate strength of the system by testing to failure. This includes testing of the anchor device, the fixing, and the substrate, with required static load capacity varying by material.
Substrate-specific testing – recognising real-world variability, EN 17235 requires testing across representative substrate types, including:
- Concrete (minimum C20/25)
- Structural and non-structural metals
- Timber and wood-based materials
For other materials, testing must reflect realistic installation conditions through mock-ups.
From testing to certification: CE marking under CPR
A key benefit of EN 17235 is that it enables CE marking under the EU Construction Products Regulation (CPR), Regulation (EU) 305/2011.
Now harmonised, manufacturers will be able to produce a Declaration of Performance (DoP) and apply the CE mark to compliant products. This is a major advancement, as CE marking was not previously available for many permanent anchor devices following the European Court ruling.
The standard also introduces Assessment and Verification of Constancy of Performance (AVCP) System 1+, the most stringent level of certification for construction products under the CPR. This requires independent third-party testing and certification, ongoing factory production control and continuous surveillance by notified bodies.
For end users, AVCP System 1+ and CE marking can provide a high level of confidence in product performance and consistency.
Timeline and transition
EN 17235 was harmonised on 9 February 2026, with an 18-month transition period for manufacturers. During this time, existing products must be re-tested to the new standard and manufacturers must establish DoPs and CE marking. After the transition period, compliance will be mandatory for market access across the UK and Europe.
What this means for safety
The introduction of EN 17235 is expected to significantly improve safety outcomes across the built environment. Key benefits include consistent testing requirements across Europe, system-level validation (reflecting realistic installation conditions), phase-out of non-compliant products from the market and greater transparency for specifiers and asset owners.
By aligning testing with realistic use cases, the standard provides a more accurate representation of how anchor systems perform in practice.
With this new requirement for consistent, robust testing on anchor devices, we as an industry can feel more confident that these safety products will do the job they are intended to do – help keep people safe while they work at height.
Practical considerations
During the EN 17235 transition period, specifiers, installers and asset owners should consider:
- Specification updates: Include reference to EN 17235 compliance in project specifications
- Product selection: Verify that systems are tested as complete assemblies
- Documentation: Request DoPs and CE marking where applicable
- Installation conditions: Confirm compatibility with substrate types
Early engagement with compliant solutions will help avoid disruption as the transition period concludes.
MSA’s approach to EN 17235
MSA has long advocated for rigorous, up-to-date testing of safety-critical systems and welcomes the harmonisation of EN 17235.
Importantly, many of the principles embedded in the standard are already reflected in MSA’s development approach:
- Systems are already tested as complete assemblies, including fixings and substrate
- Validation is given under realistic installation conditions
- MSA’s products are aligned with established methodologies such as DIBt approval processes
MSA is now progressing a programme to test both new and existing products directly to EN 17235, including MSA’s next-generation Constant Force Post range.
This proactive approach will help us to also support customers through the transition, delivering continued compliance and confidence in system performance.
Conclusion
EN 17235 represents a major step forward for the safety and standardisation of permanent anchor devices in Europe. By introducing a harmonised, system-based testing approach under the Construction Products Regulation, it resolves long-standing regulatory ambiguity and establishes a clear, robust pathway to compliance.
For industry stakeholders, the result is greater consistency, improved safety assurance and increased confidence in the performance of installed systems.
For MSA and its customers, EN 17235 aligns closely with an established commitment to rigorous testing and real-world validation – supporting the shared goal of protecting workers at height, every day.
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