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No Time to Waste: the urgent case for
safer, more sustainable PPE Ansell, a global leader in protection solutions, has sent an ‘open letter’ to the European Union (EU) Commission and Industry Regulators, calling on them to urgently revoke requirements for Instructions for Use (IFUs) to be supplied in paper format with industrial products.
Rikard Froberg, President of Ansell’s Industrial Global Business Unit, signed the letter, drawing upon the company’s reputation in the global industry to urge amendment of the guideline requirements, and request active encouragement for EU Member States to comply.
Emphasising that there’s ‘No Time to Waste’, Ansell presents a powerful case for sustainability, describing benefits for manufacturers moving to digital IFUs in B2B environments, a practice already common for medical devices.
Highlighting technological developments and end-user behaviour, Ansell identified an opportunity to avoid waste. It estimates that for its protective products sold in the EU alone, IFUs currently require 10,500 tons of paper annually. This amounts to:
• 630ha of forest. • The equivalent of 950 football fields.
• 625 paper-filled containers, traveling on average 10,000km.
IFUs ensure employers select the right equipment for employees and train them to use it safely. The governing EU PPE Regulation 2016/425 doesn’t expressly stipulate IFUs in paper format; however, the requirement for a paper IFU to accompany PPE products when sold is in PPE Regulation guidelines.
Ansell’s position is guided by its responsible and responsive business strategy, based on clearly defined sustainability values and ambitions. Identifying three key areas – better society, better environment, and better business – they’re also appealing for support from regulators and authorities in recognising future opportunities that contribute to these ambitions.
Ansell voiced its agreement with recent initiatives taken by several EU Member States, related to Directive 94/62/ EC, in establishing an identification system for packaging materials and packaging waste. In particular, helping to raise awareness among end-users about recycling.
18 | WHAT’S NEW?
However, they warn against the additional complexity and confusion created recently by new rules and regulations in Italy, France, Portugal and Slovenia. These refer in part to the recycling of PPE and the marking of packaging and packaging waste, potentially hindering free circulation of protection products within the EU.
Ansell contends individual local labelling could be confusing, with a negative impact on EU-wide awareness and end-user action. The company’s aim is to create one single, harmonised recycling label for packaging materials and packaging waste.
Rikard stressed: “There’s a unique opportunity for EU Regulators to take the lead and facilitate a harmonised approach to bring more clarity for PPE users regarding packaging, sustainable disposal, and recycling of the packaging in the EU. We’re convinced this will ultimately lead to a more significant and positive environmental impact.”
Unprecedented demand for PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic also saw a concerning influx of new – and even existing – PPE brands selling products in the EU that are non-compliant with applicable regulations. These often don’t meet minimum protection levels, or claim higher protection properties than they provide. Despite this, their prices make them attractive to buyers.
Such practices are growing exponentially due to poor market surveillance and the absence of severe penalties to combat fraud. Non-compliant PPE also creates an unfair competitive environment and could mislead customers, creating unsafe work environments and potential accidents.
Ansell is taking a number of initiatives to ensure its products meet and exceed regulatory standards, and to educate the market. These include strict release control criteria and continuous product assessment – ensuring processes and products match any claims made, and can be trusted by customers and end-users alike. The company also trains distributors in specific vigilance, while reporting non-compliant products to the European Safety Federation.
Rikard concluded: “Ansell is committed to improving the environment, society, and our industry. With all the issues we identify in mind, we urge EU regulators and authorities for more market control and strict penalties when fraudulent protective equipment is brought into the European market. There really is no time to waste.”
www.ansell.com
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