Trading Standards launches national project on leather gloves

The project began in late 2016 with samples being gathered from the market during December 2016 and February 2017. While the project includes products other than PPE the initiative targets the sampling of 50 glove products in the UK market, originating from within and outside of the EU.

This is the first time ever that the safety concerns over Chromium VI and Azo dyes in leather work gloves have been the focus of such a key Trading Standards investigation. These chemicals are prescribed under REACH and the PPE Regulations.

The project involved National Trading Standards lead officers for REACH and PPE and included 25 Trading Standards authorities. Health and Safety Executive Chemicals Division provided training on REACH while the British Safety Industry Federation Trading Standards support on PPE. The project was funded by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

As you know ensuring PPE complies with the regulations and performs as it should is a key part of BSIF’s support of reliable suppliers and crucial within the Registered Safety Supplier Scheme so having Trading Standards driving a national project which supports the efforts of the Federation is very welcome. Apart from investigating the safety concerns a key objective of the project is to foster stronger working relationships between Trading Standards and Industry.

When the project has concluded we will publish the findings.

BSIF has a formal Primary Authority Partnership with Hertfordshire Trading Standards