The new PPE Regulation sets out detailed obligations for Notified Bodies, the organisations appointed by each EU Member State to assess if products meet the necessary criteria to allow them to be offered for sale in Europe.

In our industry they determine whether a product meets the health and safety requirements of the PPE Directive and award it a CE mark (it is illegal to offer any item of PPE for sale in Europe without a CE mark). Notified Bodies also test the performance of products to EN Standards and award an EC Type Examination Certificate for products that pass. 

Both these processes will continue under the PPE Regulation from 21st April 2018, the end of its two year transition period. The Regulation brings into European law many requirements and obligations that are not in the Directive, but they are not unfamiliar to us because they have been part of decisions made and applied since the Directive was written. The majority are to align this Regulation with many others, using a common template from the European New Legislative Framework (NLF).

BSIF Test and Certification Association

One of the requirements for Notified Bodies in the new Regulation is an obligation to co-ordinate and co-operate. UK Notified Bodies already do just that within the BSIF Test and Certification Association. Every UK Notified Body designated for PPE is a member, and the Association meets four times a year to review and discuss reports from the European groups, raise issues around standards and test methods, and liaise as a body with delegates who also attend from UKAS, the UK body which accredits their activities, and from BIS, the UK Government Department which controls Notified Bodies in the UK.

The next Association meeting is in June and will concentrate entirely on raising issues and gaining clarity to develop the necessary guidance in applying the Regulation. Two years is not a long time!

BSIF website 

The BSIF has a new website – www.bsif.co.uk. The site has been developed as part of our wider campaign to enhance communication capabilities that began with the App launch in 2016 (the App is available to download on Android devices and via the App store).

The website reflects our breadth as a Federation and provides a portal to our latest information, including news, campaign resources and brochures that are of real benefit to members and the wider industry. 

Designed to offer an enhanced, user-friendly experience, with improved navigation and functionality, the website is the culmination of our efforts to ensure that the Federation provides a digitally integrated service to our membership and the entire health and safety community. We are keen that users start using the information which is easy accessible to them and, more importantly, we hope that they find it useful.

BSIF Safety Awards 2016

Ahead of the BSIF Safety Awards 2016 ceremony on the 21st June at Safety & Health Expo, (Excel, London) we are delighted to announce the Product Innovation Award finalists: 

•  Retrasafe – Retractable Ladder Stabiliser

•  MSA – ALTAIR 2XP H2S

•  Ansell – Triple Active Gel

•  Portwest – Metatarsal Safety Wellington

•  Portwest – Peakview

•  Honeywell – Ne-Hon 6

•  SMH – HS Fibrecheck

•  Polyco – Pirtek Fluid Power Glove

•  Ultimate Ear – EAR ARMOUR “semi-custom” earplugs

•  Uvex – U- Sonic

•  Dorsavi – Vi Safe

•  Zonzini – Stair Climber

•  Reactec – HAVWEAR

•  3M – E-A-Rfit Dual-Ear Validation System

I look forward to announcing the winners of the Product Innovation Award, Service Award and Safety Excellence Award at the show. Make sure you come along and join us in celebrating the 2016 industry champions.