PPE T
REVIEW PPE STOCK AND PURCHASING PROCESSES
he British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) is urging organisations across the UK to review their PPE stock and the processes they use to source it, as concerns continue to grow around the safety and compliance of products sold
through online marketplaces.
With major legislative changes approaching and early indications from BSIF’s latest testing programme suggesting that substandard PPE remains widespread on online platforms, the Federation warns that employers must take extra care to ensure the equipment they rely on is appropriate, compliant and safe.
ONLINE MARKETPLACES REMAIN A KEY AREA OF CONCERN
Provisional findings from the BSIF’s 2025 product testing indicate that unsafe and non-compliant PPE continues to be widely available from online marketplaces. Early trends suggest these platforms remain a significant source of high-risk, poor- quality products.
Examples identified during the testing period include safety helmets failing impact absorption tests, fall arrest equipment not meeting essential strength requirements, and protective footwear purchased online that lacked basic mandatory protective components.
“These early results reinforce what we have consistently seen in previous years,” says BSIF CEO John Hooker. “Online marketplaces pose a persistent risk, with unsafe and misleading products far too easy for buyers to encounter. January is the ideal moment for organisations to review what they already have on site and how they are sourcing it.”
REGULATORY SCRUTINY IS INCREASING The Product Regulation and Metrology Act (PRaM Act) brings online marketplaces into scope for product safety for the first time, requiring them to take on new responsibilities for ensuring the products they host are safe and traceable. Secondary legislation is now being drafted, and the BSIF will be engaging with associated consultations. To further help buyers, the BSIF is developing
new guidance and checklists aimed at supporting safe online procurement and helping organisations identify red flags in product listings.
REVIEW PPE WITH NEW STANDARDS IN MIND The BSIF is also reminding employers that annual PPE reviews should consider not only product condition and compliance, but also suitability for every worker.
The introduction of The Provision of Inclusive Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – Guide (BS 30417), highlights the importance of selecting PPE that fits a diverse workforce and ensuring procurement processes are inclusive by design.
TRUSTED SOURCING MATTERS MORE THAN EVER To reduce risk, the BSIF continues to encourage organisations to specify and procure PPE from Registered Safety Suppliers (RSSS) who are regularly assessed and are committed to ongoing product testing, legal compliance and staff competence. “When businesses purchase outside the regulated supply chain, they significantly increase
28 WINTER/SPRING 2026 | INDUSTRIAL COMPLIANCE
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