Meddling EU plans to regulate everyday household items such as umbrellas and washing up gloves in the same way as industrial safety equipment have been blocked.

Meddling EU plans to regulate everyday household items such as umbrellas and washing up gloves in the same way as industrial safety equipment have been blocked.

Conservative MEP Vicky Ford, who is the European Parliament’s lead negotiator or “rapporteur” on EU Commission’s planned legislation on “personal protective equipment” has managed to simplify and limit the scope of proposals.

The parliament’s Committee on the Single market and Consumer Protection, which she chairs, today approved a revised version of the proposals to update requirements for equipment such as hard hats, life jackets and safety harnesses.

The new version has removed a planned extension of the law to include products for private use against heat, damp and water. Critics said these would have meant regulating simple goods such as household washing up gloves and brollies.

Mrs Ford, MEP for the east of England, said: “Of course we want clear and strong standards for safety products where lives can depend on them and in the work place.

“But there is no need for the EU to get over-zealous and try to take control of our kitchen goods in our own home and rainwear. That would have been crazy and I am glad we have brought some common sense to bear.”

The law will now go through the “trilogue” process, when it is discussed by representatives of the European Parliament, Council and Commission.