Fall Protection Regulations: Complete Guide EN 795, UNE-EN 17235 and CPR Regulation System 1+

The legal framework for safety at height is undergoing its biggest revolution in the last decade. If you are a prevention technician, architect, or maintenance manager planning the installation of a permanent fall protection system, you need to be aware of the new UNE-EN 17235:2025 standard and understand how it affects what you already have installed.

What is the UNE-EN 17235 standard and why is it replacing EN 795?

Historically, all anchoring devices — both temporary ones carried by workers in their backpacks and fixed ones installed on roofs — were certified under the same European standard: EN 795 (and its technical specification CEN/TS 16415 for multiple users).

The entry into force of UNE-EN 17235:2025 definitively separates these two worlds:

• EN 795 Standard: It is reserved exclusively for temporary and mobile anchoring devices (Types B and E).
• UNE-EN 17235:2025 Standard: It becomes the mandatory European standard for permanent anchoring devices fixed to buildings or civil engineering works.

The reason for this change is to enhance structural safety. As they are permanently fixed to the building, the European Union now requires these systems to comply with the Construction Products Regulation (CPR), demanding stringent factory production control and CE marking under the AVCP 1+ system.

Equivalences: From Types (EN 795) to Kits (EN 17235)

If you are accustomed to the old terminology, the new regulation redefines the classification of permanent anchors by grouping them into "Kits":

• EN 795 Type A becomes EN 17235 Kit A: Fixed or singular structural anchor points.
• EN 795 Type C becomes EN 17235 Kit C: Permanent horizontal flexible lifelines (steel cable systems).
• EN 795 Type D is now EN 17235 Kit D: Permanent rigid anchor lines (rail systems).
• EN 795 Type B — No change: Temporary anchors and portable horizontal lifelines. These remain under EN 795-B.
• EN 795 Type E — No change: Deadweight devices for flat roofs. These remain under EN 795-E.

Additionally, the new standard introduces very strict corrosion resistance classes, ensuring that the installed material will withstand harsh weather conditions in any environment.

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Summary table: Legal classification of anchorage devices

Temporary and mobile anchorages: EN 795 remains valid

The historic EN 795 standard is not disappearing — it remains fully valid, but now exclusively applies to temporary and portable anchorage devices.

• EN 795-B (Temporary Anchorages): Portable textile horizontal lifelines, tripods, anchorage straps, and mobile slings.
• EN 795-E (Deadweight Anchorages): Mass and friction-based devices for flat roofs (up to 5° inclination), without penetrating the substrate.

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Do I have to replace my already installed EN 795 lifelines?

This is the most common question we get from our clients. The answer is no, you don't have to dismantle them immediately.

The European Union has established a coexistence period (extension) until August 2027. During this transition:

• Current systems: The EN 795-A, C, or D permanent lifelines and anchors you already have installed remain legal and completely safe, provided they rigorously pass their mandatory annual inspection by a competent person.
• New installations: Our technical recommendation for any new project is to design directly with equipment that already holds UNE-EN 17235:2025 certification. This ensures maximum durability, traceability, and future legal compliance.

What does CPR Regulation System 1+ mean?

The AVCP 1+ assessment system (System 1+) is the highest and most rigorous level of control within the Construction Products Regulation (CPR). It applies to systems where a structural failure could result in death. An anchor certified under System 1+ means that:

• Self-certification is prohibited: An independent Notified Body (such as AENOR) must be involved.
• Continuous audits: The external body conducts initial inspections and continuous factory audits to assess Factory Production Control (FPC).
• Random testing: Samples are taken from production batches for break testing before they are released to the market.
• Full traceability: Every manufactured part can be traced back to its origin.

The key argument for your company

Mentioning "CE Marking under CPR Regulation (System 1+)" is not a technicality — it's a commercial advantage and a real guarantee for your clients. It means you're not just installing a simple cable and some screws, but a high-security Construction Product with continuous external audits and random destructive testing.

Our permanent lifelines and anchor points They are CE marked under the demanding CPR Regulation (System 1+), offering the highest level of structural safety required by the European Union.

Your safety is in the hands of true experts

The transition from EN 795 to EN 17235 is not merely a bureaucratic formality. It requires engineering knowledge, structural calculations, and thorough documentation control from the installer. Contact us to audit the status of your current systems, perform regulatory maintenance, or design a new, state-of-the-art installation. We protect lives by complying with the market's most cutting-edge regulations.