Industry News


PCIAW helps set the standard for PPE workwear T


he Professional Clothing Industry Association Worldwide (PCIAW) has backed the publication of a new British Standard aimed at improving the provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) to workers of all body shapes, sizes and needs. The Provision of Inclusive Personal Protective Equipment guide, offers practical, evidence-based guidance to help organisations manage PPE that protects every individual.


Inclusive PPE tackles long-standing issues with ill-fitting equipment that can compromise safety, hinder comfort and affect employee retention in sectors from construction to healthcare. The standard emphasises inclusive selection processes, proper fit testing, ongoing training and supplier evaluation, helping employers meet health and safety, equality and employment obligations while improving worker protection.


PCIAW played a key role in steering the standard’s development through its board director and committee chair, Natalie Wilson, who led stakeholder collaboration across manufacturers, safety professionals and end users to


ensure diverse perspectives informed the guidance.


The new standard was formally introduced at a parliamentary launch on November 12 at Dover House in Whitehall, London.


PCIAW are working to set a British standard for PPE sizes


My Workwear study revealed demand for National Insurance U-turn


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anufacturers’ calls for a reversal on National Insurance Contribution (NIC) fell on deaf ears after Rachel Reeves made her budget announcement.


A study conducted by personalised workwear specialist, My Workwear, revealed that out of 128 companies asked, 88% of them would’ve welcomed a U-turn of policy. However, when it came to the big day, no such action was taken; instead, the chancellor enacted further wage increases for young workers and froze income tax brackets until 2031. This time last year, Ms Reeves had already announced NIC would rise from 13.8% to 15%, and the threshold at which payments start was to drop to £5,000 from £9,100.


It has only been a year since the change, but 63% of businesses asked by MY


| 10 | January 2026


Workwear have said it has had a negative impact on their performance, while almost half (45%) have said they are worried for their survival in the next five years. In fact, in a direct message to the current government 77% of companies said they would not vote Labour if a snap-election was held.


James Worthingon, co-owner of MyWorkwear, said: “We work very closely with thousands of businesses in the manufacturing sector to provide their PPE and workwear and it’s fair to say that it’s been a challenging year for the industry.


“Our data shows that when manufacturers looked back to the Autumn Statement in 2024, only 48% said their business fortunes had improved since then, whereas 52% said that there had either been no change or things had worsened.”


Nazdar helps found eco print manifesto


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azdar Ink Technologies has been named a founding partner of the newly launched Sustainable Print


Manifesto.


The new initiative will help accelerate sustainability across the print and packaging industries, and now the ink manufacturer has been made a founding advocate. Evan Benbow, chief technology officer at Nazdar, said: “This Manifesto is the result of extensive teamwork across global companies; all focused on forging a more sustainable future. We hope to lead by example.” Nazdar will take part in joint research initiatives, shared best-practice programmes, and industry-wide projects that emphasise environmental responsibility without compromising quality or performance. The Sustainable Print Manifesto brings together major print and packaging stakeholders committed to reducing environmental impact.


www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk


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