It's time to take a stand on fake PPE

Unfortunately in this day and age counterfeit items being manufactured and sold within the PPE industry is a common problem. Over recent years, we have witnessed a number of items flood onto the market place, from gloves to high visibility vests that have been produced using sub standard materials. However, they are often finished to a standard that to the untrained eye it is hard to distinguish whether they are genuine or fake.

The BSIF introduced the Registered Safety Supplier Scheme in 2009 that allows members to identify themselves as having made a formal declaration that they are selling only products which are genuine and legal. This declaration is, as a condition of the scheme, audited through special provisions set out within the company's ISO9001 Certification. Under the Registered Safety Supplier Scheme this independent audit is one of the key requirements to independently verify conformance; it is the BSIF's belief that the independent audit is a key part of the robustness of the scheme. Companies who have signed up to the Registered Safety Supplier Scheme are of course permitted to use the scheme's shield, helping them to stand out from the crowd. The BSIF actively promotes this scheme to its members and encourages end users to look for the shield to guarantee compliance, performance and quality. The Registered Safety Supplier Scheme acts as a signpost for people to ensure that they can buy from a reputable company whom they can trust to supply legal genuine products and provide good advice.

Certified goods will always be paramount in the health and safety world and being extra vigilent when looking after your workforce is essential when health and lives are at risk. By just being aware of the type of counterfeit items available on the marketplace and remembering that offers that seem 'too good to be true' usually are, is a step in the right direction. Purchasing the right PPE is a big responsibility and safety equipment that doesn't perform properly isn't just inconvenient, it may actually cost lives.

For further information on the services provided by the BSIF and its Registered Safety Suppliers Scheme please visit www.bsif.co.uk>