Combatting dangerous PPE sold online

Following on from the recent BSIF white paper ‘Combatting Sub-Standard PPE in the UK’ the BSIF continues its fight against dangerous non-compliant PPE that continues to flood the UK market via online platforms and marketplaces often making false or unsubstantiated claims of protection. These products are being purchased by unsuspecting workers putting themselves in danger every day when they think they are protected. 

In the 2025 Health & Safety Matters PPE survey approximately a quarter of respondents said that they were responsible for sourcing their own workplace PPE. When taking into account small businesses the actual figure will likely be much higher and a huge volume will be sourced online.

The BSIF is producing a series of short social media videos that starkly demonstrate the difference between real life laboratory testing to appropriate standards with the fanciful videos advertising outlandish performance claims that are all over the internet. 

Watch the first video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trFGtUwvvxI

This video is focussed on safety footwear – other categories will follow.

Substandard PPE is dangerous.  Workers using non-compliant PPE will expose themselves to workplace risks thinking they are protected when they are not.

In contrast to much of the PPE that we see enter the UK market through online channels BSIF Registered Safety Suppliers demonstrated a 96% compliance rate in 2025 and any issues identified were promptly resolved. The BSIF urges businesses and consumers to purchase PPE from BSIF registered safety suppliers to ensure compliance and worker safety.  Always look for the Registered Safety Suppliers shield.