The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has warned that KN95 facemasks are not suitable PPE since their performance rating relies on self-declaration of compliance by manufacturers.
HSE reports that approximately 90% of queries and concerns surrounding PPE involve KN95 masks, with the executive finding many sold with fraudulent paperwork. So far, HSE has quarantined over 1.5 million KN95 facemasks.
Phil Owen, Service Director Profession Relationships at the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI), said: “Although the KN95 facemasks are available to purchase, they are not PPE as they do not meet PPE regulations and therefore will not necessarily protect persons against the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.”
CTSI, in partnership with the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), is running a series of 1 1/2 hour webinars for businesses focusing on the identification, classification and the current easements for placing PPE on the market. This training will also be run alongside webinars for businesses that are importing, manufacturing or retailing hand cleansing products.
To book a place onto one of the next CTSI Business Training Webinars please follow the links below:
22 June 10.00 – 11.30: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Product Requirements for Importers
22 June 14.00 – 15.30: Business Training Webinar – Hand Cleansing & Sanitising Product Requirements for Importers
24 June 10.00 – 11.30: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Product Requirements for Manufacturers
24 June 14.00 – 15.30: Business Training Webinar – Hand Cleansing & Sanitising Product Requirements for Manufacturers
26 June 10.00 – 11.30 PPE Product Requirements for Retailers/Distributors
26 June 14.00 – 15.30: Business Training Webinar – Hand Cleansing & Sanitising Product Requirements for Retailers/Distributors
