European Economic Community directive 89/686 is intended to harmonise Safety at Work legislation throughout Europe. It sets out basic Health and Safety requirements and standardised certification procedures. CEN TC 162 was established in April 1989 with the task of producing the necessary standards for protective clothing by 1992. WG2 of TC 162 deals with Clothing for Protection against Heat and Flame. It has, as far as possible, adopted existing ISO test procedures as a basis for the new performance requirements. However, there are problems with the interpretation of the requirements of the directive in terms of precise standards.