The Government has published guidance for manufacturers and suppliers on the essential technical requirements for PPE and medical devices.

Essential technical specifications for PPE and medical devices

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UKFT statement on PPE

UKFT is working to support the government as it starts to increase the availability of PPE. However, it is estimated that global demand for PPE has grown by 1,000% in the past few weeks.

We have been overwhelmed by the very many offers to help we have received from across the UK fashion and textile community. Many of you have offered to help produce masks and gowns for the NHS and other key workers. There are a number of bottlenecks in the supply chain that government is looking to resolve very quickly and the most important of which is the availability of the correct fabric. It is vital that all PPE is made from the appropriate material otherwise the protection given by items could be compromised.

The government are now working rapidly to put in place a quick and simple system to onboard companies to the NHS supply base, to develop the appropriate terms and conditions and to ensure the regulatory system is able to cope with the ramping up of production.

When these measures are all in place the government will be operating a triage system which in effect will see government work with larger manufacturing firms first. This does not mean that offers from smaller companies are unwanted. However, government officials have asked that small companies do not manufacture products without hearing from government regarding the required specifications.

UKFT has shared with the government details of those companies that are already able to source PPE at scale and speed.

Masks and surgical gowns have very specific performance requirements and if you are supplying PPE to hospital and health workers who are in constant contact with those unfortunate enough to have contracted the virus, the products you make must meet these specifications. Currently all gowns and masks also have to be tested to ensure they meet the specifications and test laboratories are working at capacity. Read more here

Resources

Guidance for businesses high volume manufacture of PPE version 2

Specification for Personal Protective Clothing PPE to include Gowns Surgical Face mask Respirator masks Eye Protection Protective Coveralls

BSI Standards on PPE

The specific standards, which cover face masks, medical gloves and protective clothing are listed below. BSI has made these standards available for free during the current situation.

• BS EN 149:2001+A1:2009 Respiratory protective devices. Filtering half masks to protect against particles. Requirements, testing, marking
• BS EN 166:2002 Personal eye protection. Specifications
• BS EN 14126:2003 Protective clothing. Performance requirements and tests methods for protective clothing against infective agents
• BS EN 14605:2009+A1:2009 Protective clothing against liquid chemicals. Performance requirements for clothing with liquid-tight (Type 3) or spray-tight (Type 4) connections, including items providing protection to parts of the body only (Types PB [3] and PB [4])
• BS EN 13795-1:2019 Surgical clothing and drapes. Requirements and test methods. Surgical drapes and gowns
• BS EN 13795-2:2019 Surgical clothing and drapes. Requirements and test methods. Clean air suits
• BS EN 455-1:2000 Medical gloves for single use. Requirements and testing for freedom from holes
• BS EN 455-2:2015 Medical gloves for single use. Requirements and testing for physical properties
• BS EN 455-3:2015 Medical gloves for single use. Requirements and testing for biological evaluation
• BS EN 455-4:2009 Medical gloves for single use. Requirements and testing for shelf life determination
• BS EN 14683:2019 Medical face masks. Requirements and test methods.
• BS EN ISO 10993-1:2009 Biological evaluation of medical devices. Evaluation and testing within a risk management process
• BS EN ISO 374-5:2016 Protective gloves against dangerous chemicals and micro-organisms. Terminology and performance requirements for micro-organisms risks
• BS EN ISO 13688:2013 Protective clothing. General requirements

Click here to register to access the standards (Note: Downloads work on Internet Explorer rather than other browsers.)

FREE shipping for UK clothing manufacturers making for the NHS

To assist UK manufacturers and designers who have turned their production over to making PPE for the NHS, specialist courier Freight Brokers is making available a monthly total of 1,000 parcels – free of charge – to move goods from factories, warehouses and studios to NHS distribution centres.

The offer is open to non-Freight Broker customers as well as its regular clients on a strict first come first served basis.

The London-based company requires photographic proof of what each shipment contains. These images will be posted to Freight Brokers’ social media channels to spread the word on the great work being doing by so many to assist our frontline medical staff and carers.

Please contact Ellie Marks on ellie@freightbrokersuk.com or Louis Kurlander on louis@freightbrokersuk.com to discuss your shipping requirements for NHS supplies.

NB: This is on a first come first served basis.

UKFT is in constant dialogue with the government and is outlining the latest support available for businesses on our website. We will update the details as and when the situation changes. 

UKFT CORONAVIRUS GUIDANCE