The British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) is appealing to chemical companies across the UK to urgently review their PPE stock and sourcing processes, as concerns grow around the safety and compliance of products sold online.
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.
Commenting on the importance of PPE performance across the industry, the Federation warns that while PPE should always sit at the bottom of the hierarchy of controls, its reliability remains critical where residual risk cannot be fully eliminated.
“Across the chemical industry, significant effort is rightly invested in eliminating or controlling risk through process design, engineering controls and safe systems of work,” said John Hooker, CEO of the BSIF. “However, many chemical operations still involve tasks where hazards remain present, and where people rely on PPE every day as a final barrier against harmful exposure.”
Hooker continued: “In these scenarios, PPE must perform exactly as claimed. Substandard or poorly verified products may degrade, permeate or fail under chemical exposure, directly increasing risk to the wearer. Comfort is also a critical factor — PPE worn for extended periods must be usable and well designed, otherwise its protective function can be compromised in practice.”
The BSIF warns that some PPE available through online marketplaces makes claims around chemical resistance or compliance that are not supported by appropriate testing, certification or traceability.
“When PPE is the last line of defence, trust in that equipment is essential,” Hooker added. “Buying from a BSIF Registered Safety Supplier provides reassurance that products have been properly assessed, meet required standards, and will perform as claimed in demanding chemical environments.”
Online marketplaces ‘key area of concern’
Provisional findings from the BSIF’s 2025 product testing—set for full publication at the end of January 2026—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,” Hooker said. “Online marketplaces pose a persistent risk, with unsafe and misleading products far too easy for buyers to encounter.”
Regulatory scrutiny increases
The Product Regulation and Metrology Act (PRaM Act) brings online marketplaces into scope for product safety for the first time, requiring them to take responsibility 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 the chance of unknowingly introducing unsafe PPE into the workplace,” John adds. “Sourcing from Registered Safety Suppliers is the most reliable way to ensure compliance and protect workers.”
The BSIF urges employers, safety professionals and procurement teams to:
1. CHECK your supplier is BSIF Registered. BSIF-audited suppliers are compliant, competent and trustworthy.
2. SELECT appropriate, certified and approved products that align with latest standards. Registered Safety Suppliers can support the product selection process through their competence, capability and knowledge.
3. PROTECT your people, your most precious asset, and help your business to thrive
