Türkiye-based personal protective equipment sourcing, from anywhere in the world
We supply safety helmets, safety footwear, gloves, protective eyewear, masks, ear defenders, harnesses and workwear. Products are selected against the relevant EN standard and CE category, and we list the certificate number next to each item in the quotation table. We look at Türkiye first; if the product is not available here, we source it from the world's other production centres we source it.
- Documents requiredCE marking, EU type-examination certificate, EN standard, production surveillance for category III
- Certificate numberThe standard and certificate number are listed beside each item in the quotation table
- Corporate purchasingLogo printing and size breakdown are settled before ordering
- Sourcing geographyIstanbul, Bursa, Konya, Gaziantep; the EU and Far East where needed
What do we source in the occupational safety group?
In this group, describing the risk to be protected against rather than the product gives a better result. The areas below are where we work; you can also write to us about a product that is not listed.
Head protection
Industrial safety helmets, bump caps, chin straps, helmet accessories, electrically insulating helmets.
Eye and face protection
Safety spectacles, goggles, face shields, welding helmets, auto-darkening welding lenses.
Respiratory protection
Dust masks (FFP1, FFP2, FFP3), half and full face respirators, filter cartridges, powered air systems.
Hearing protection
Ear plugs, ear muffs, helmet-mounted muffs, electronic and communication headsets.
Hand protection
Work gloves, cut-resistant gloves, chemical gloves, heat and welding gloves, disposable gloves.
Foot protection
Steel and composite toe safety shoes, boots, wellingtons, welders' footwear, electrically insulating footwear.
Workwear and protective clothing
Coveralls, jackets and trousers, high-visibility clothing, chemical protective suits, flame-retardant clothing.
Working at height equipment
Safety belts, full body harnesses, lanyards, ropes, retractable fall arresters, anchor points.
Fire safety
Fire extinguishers, hose reels and cabinets, smoke detectors, fire blankets, emergency exit equipment.
Warning, signage and traffic products
Warning signs, hazard tape, cones, barriers, high-visibility vests, floor marking materials.
Emergency and first aid
First aid cabinets and kits, eye wash stations, emergency showers, stretchers, evacuation equipment, eye wash solution.
Gas detection and monitors
Portable gas detectors, fixed gas detection systems, oxygen meters, calibration equipment.
Which documents are required for protective equipment?
In this group documentation determines whether the product proof that it genuinely protects. Of two gloves that look identical, one resists cutting and the other does not; only the certificate shows the difference.
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CE marking and risk category Protective equipment falls into three risk categories. An EU type-examination certificate from a notified body is mandatory for categories II and III, and category III additionally requires ongoing production surveillance.
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EN standard and performance level EN ISO 20345 and classes such as S1/S3 for safety footwear, EN 388 and the cut resistance level for gloves, EN 166 for eyewear, EN 352 for hearing protection, EN 361 for harnesses. The standard name alone is not enough — the level must be stated too.
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EU declaration of conformity The manufacturer's declaration is attached to the shipping documents together with the certificate number and notified body number. Its scope must cover the model and size ordered.
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Product marking and user instructions The product must carry the standard number, performance level, date of manufacture and size, and the user instructions must be supplied in the target market's language.
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Shelf life and service life Filters, masks, ropes and harnesses carry a date of manufacture and a maximum service life. The remaining life at loading is stated in the contract.
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Origin and movement documents Certificate of origin, A.TR for the EU, EUR.1 for countries with a free trade agreement. On mixed loads, origin is broken down by product group.
Typical working terms
The table below shows customary practice in the occupational health and safety group; the terms applying to each order are set out in the written quotation.
| Packaging | Individual bags or boxes per item plus master cartons. The carton label carries the model, size, quantity and standard number. Protection from moisture and light is essential for items such as masks and filters. |
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| Loading unit | Carton and palletised loading. This group is light and bulky, so a container usually fills by volume rather than weight. On size-broken orders, carton layout is planned to make distribution easier. |
| Delivery terms | EXW, FOB, CFR, CIF and, on request, DAP / DDP. We compare which works out cheaper for you based on the destination port. |
| Samples | A sample is sent and the document set (CE declaration, type-examination certificate) is reviewed alongside it. For wearable items a size and fit trial is carried out separately. |
| Lead time | Short for ex-stock products; longer where logo printing, special colours or special sizes are required. Production and loading dates are stated separately in the quotation. |
| Quality control | Model, size breakdown, marking, date of manufacture and packaging are checked before shipment. Conformity to the sample is inspected by an independent company on request. |
Where do we source protective equipment from?
In this group buying a cheap product is easy; buying one that protects is hard. We choose the source on the validity of the certificate before the price.
Manufacturing base
Türkiye has a broad manufacturing base in safety footwear, workwear, gloves and helmets; Istanbul, Bursa, Konya and Gaziantep are the centres of that production.
What this means in practice is being able to reach CE-certified manufacturers at mid volumes and being able to meet requests such as logo printing on corporate orders.
The standard name is not enough — the level matters
"EN 388 certified glove" says nothing on its own; what matters is at which performance level the standard is met.
We therefore list the standard number, performance level and certificate number next to each item in the quotation table. The product is chosen to match the actual risk of the job.
Size, fit and acceptance
In this group the product has to be worn . Uncomfortable eyewear or tight footwear does not get used — and protective equipment that is not worn does not protect.
On corporate orders we settle the size breakdown and run a fit trial before ordering. A wrong size breakdown means most of the order sits on the shelf.
Sourcing from outside Türkiye
Europe is strong in gas detectors, specialist respiratory systems and branded working-at-height equipment; the Far East in high volume disposables. For these items we use our global supplier network .
The rule does not change with the source: the standard, performance level and certificate number are listed beside every item. A product whose certificate cannot be verified does not go into the quotation.
Most common questions in protective equipment sourcing
How do we determine which standard is needed?
We start from the risk of the job. Where there is a cut risk, the glove's cut resistance level decides it; a chemical risk, permeation and breakthrough time; work at height, the fall arrest system.
Describe the work and the environment in your request and we will work out which standard and performance level is needed. We select by risk, not by product name.
How do you verify a CE certificate is genuine?
We look at three things: the notified body numberthat issued the certificate, whether the certificate whether its scope covers the model ordered, and its validity date.
Counterfeit or out-of-scope certificates are a serious problem in this group, so we also check that the marking on the product matches the certificate exactly.
Can logos be printed on corporate orders?
They can. Logo printing or embroidery is common on workwear, vests and helmets.
There is a limit: printing and embroidery cannot go anywhere that compromises the protective function — an unsuitable print on flame-retardant clothing, for example, can invalidate its certification. We agree the placement with the manufacturer.
How do we set the size breakdown?
On corporate orders the size breakdown is settled before ordering. If you do not have a staff list, we suggest a distribution based on sector averages and then run a fit trial with samples.
Skip this step and a significant part of the order sits on the shelf. Fits also vary by manufacturer — the same size label does not mean the same measurements across brands.
Do masks and filters have a shelf life?
They do. Respiratory filters, disposable masks, ropes and harnesses carry a date of manufacture and a maximum service life.
We write the remaining life at loading into the contract. Skip that clause on a long sea voyage and the product arrives with little life left; storage conditions also affect it.
Can we have production under our own brand?
You can, but private label needs care in this group: on protective equipment carrying your brand, legal responsibility can transfer to you.
Who counts as manufacturer and who as distributor, and who holds the certification, must be stated clearly in the contract. Product marking and user instructions are also reissued for the new brand.
Can we place a multi-item safety order?
You can; requests in this group usually come that way: helmets, eyewear, gloves, footwear, vests and masks in one order.
We collect from several manufacturers and consolidate into one shipment. A packing list and document file are prepared per item, with each product's standard and certificate number on its own line.
Will you source protective equipment that is not available in Türkiye?
We do. Clef Trade is based in Türkiye, but sourcing is not limited to Türkiye; for items such as gas detectors, specialist respiratory systems or branded working-at-height equipment we obtain them from European and Far Eastern sources through our global supplier network.
The process stays the same: documentation checks, supplier research, sampling, inspection and shipping run from a single point. When the origin changes, documentation requirements and customs duty change too; we show the comparison in writing in the quotation.
Tell us the product you need and leave the research to us.
For requests with the details below we respond Within 24 hours with a price range and an estimated lead time.
- Only three required fieldsProduct, company and e-mail. Leave the rest blank if you are not sure — we will ask.
- Quotes are freeWe charge nothing for price research.
- Your details stay privateYour request goes only to the sourcing team.