BSIF tests reveal high PPE failure rates

The British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) has warned about the widespread presence of substandard personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety products following its latest independent testing.

Between December 2023 and December 2024, BSIF tested 161 PPE products from non-member suppliers.

Only 16 products (10%) met full compliance standards, while 138 (90%) failed.

Seven test results are still pending. Failures were recorded across all PPE categories.

In some cases—such as head protection, eye and face protection, and fall protection—every non-member product tested failed to meet regulatory standards.

High failure rates across multiple PPE categories

BSIF’s testing found concerning safety failures in several key product areas:

• Head protection: All six tested products failed, with deficiencies in penetration resistance and shock absorption.
• Eye and face protection & fall protection: All 13 tested products failed, failing to resist impacts and compromising user safety.
• Safety footwear: 31 out of 36 tested products (86%) failed, with issues including inadequate impact resistance and slip protection.
• Hearing protection: 28 out of 31 tested products (90%) had incorrect cushion and headband pressures, affecting noise reduction.
• Safety gloves: 21 out of 22 tested products (95%) failed to meet cut, abrasion, and puncture resistance claims.
• Hi-vis clothing: 11 out of 13 tested garments (85%) failed brightness and visibility standards.
• Respiratory protective equipment (RPE): 22 out of 25 tested products (88%) did not meet filtration requirements for hazardous dust and fumes.

BSIF member suppliers show better compliance rates

In contrast to the non-member results, BSIF found a significantly higher compliance rate among its Registered Safety Suppliers.

Out of 399 tests conducted on PPE from BSIF members, 322 products (86%) passed.

Of the 51 products that initially failed, all issues were addressed and corrected.

BSIF CEO Alan Murray said: “People are continually surprised by the sheer volume of PPE and safety products that fail to meet basic safety standards.

What’s even more shocking is that, despite vendors being informed of these deficiencies, such products often remain on the market, continuing to expose unsuspecting buyers and users to significant risks.”

BSIF urges buyers to verify supplier credentials

BSIF has advised PPE buyers and procurement teams to ensure that products meet regulatory standards by checking for the BSIF Shield.

The BSIF Registered Safety Supplier Scheme Manager, Roy Wilders, said: “When protective—and sometimes life-saving—equipment fails to meet standards, it’s not just a statistic; it’s a potential tragedy waiting to happen.”

Wilders added that the BSIF team actively monitors the market to identify and address substandard products, but buyers must also take responsibility by verifying suppliers before making purchases.

BSIF report finds high failure rates in non-member PPE products: Summary

The British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) has reported that 90% of PPE products tested from non-member suppliers failed to meet compliance standards.

Testing between December 2023 and December 2024 covered 161 products, with 138 failing regulatory assessments.

Categories with 100% failure rates included head protection, eye and face protection, and fall protection.

In contrast, 86% of PPE from BSIF Registered Safety Suppliers passed compliance tests.

BSIF has urged buyers to check for the BSIF Shield to ensure they are purchasing safe and certified PPE.