Personal protective equipment is a key weapon in our fight against COVID-19 but what should you look out for when sourcing supplies? It is vital that businesses operate in a COVID-secure manner to reduce the spread of coronavirus. For many companies, this will include providing personal protective equipment (PPE) for employees, to keep them safe and to prevent the virus from aecting more lives. Having carried out your firms COVID-19 risk assessment, you may determine that task-specific PPE is not required. Under current government rules, however, sta may still need to wear a face covering in certain premises or when social distancing cannot be maintained. For example, in close-contact services, a Type II mask may be required. These are medical masks and should be labelled with the appropriate standard (BS:EN 14683:2019) and the type of mask (Type II), plus the name and address of an EU manufacturer or importer. Less scrupulous individuals are exploiting the COVID-19 crisis for their own financial gain by producing and supplying fake and defective PPE Fake and defective PPE The increased need for PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic is placing significant pressure on supply chains. This has led to an influx of pop-up suppliers companies that appear from nowhere to cash in on this market. Less scrupulous individuals are also exploiting the crisis for their own financial gain by producing and supplying fake and defective PPE. These products are often accompanied by fraudulent certificates and other paperwork, making false claims about the ecacy of the PPE and the quality management system certification for example, ISO 9001 or ISO 13485. This has created a dangerous situation, which, at best, has resulted in confusion for businesses and, at worst, a risk to life. How to avoid buying fake and defective PPE: n Buy PPE that carries the CE mark and look for references to relevant safety standards n Find out if the supplier normally sells PPE is it their main business? n Does the supplier have a website? Is its main focus on PPE; do they have a track record in supplying PPE; are there clear details about shipping; where are they based? n Phone the supplier do they know what they are talking about; can they reassure you that the PPE they are selling is fit for purpose and compliant with regulations? n Dont buy PPE from sellers using personal social media accounts n Dont respond to unsolicited contacts by phone, email or text purporting to sell PPE n Check with the manufacturer for authenticity and availability of PPE n Check the validity of certificates and paperwork; for more advice, contact the UK Accreditation Service n Check online reviews posted by other businesses n If the price of the PPE is too good to be true, it probably is so dont buy it. Reporting concerns If you have concerns that you may have purchased, or seen advertised for use in the workplace, PPE that may not meet essential safety standards, report this to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Credit: Frances Darling,trading standards and licensing manager, Shropshire Council Image: iStock / Snezhana Ryzhkova If you have concerns about the validity of certificates of conformity, or believe false or fraudulent paperwork is being supplied with PPE, report this to your local authority Trading Standards Service. PPE: be guided by the OPSS If you want to manufacture or distribute PPE for use in the workplace, you must ensure it complies with relevant safety requirements. PPE is subject to stringent controls and, although the government has reduced some administrative requirements on businesses supplying PPE, products must still undergo conformity assessment by a notified body. It is vital you read the nationally available guidance from the Oce for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) and, if you are at all unsure as to the requirements, seek further advice from the HSE or your local Trading Standards Service. For further information, please contact your local Trading Standards Service