Quality and standards

Frequently asked questions

• Who decides which standard is required?

  The decision rests on the employer's hazard assessment. We work out which product group and which standard fit that assessment; the final responsibility lies with your health and safety officer.

• Do you provide documentation with the products?

  Relevant documents and declarations for protective products are shared as part of the order. We state in writing at the quote stage which document accompanies which product.

• Does washing affect protective performance?

  Yes. In flame-retardant and high-visibility products especially, the number and method of washes affect performance. Recommended care instructions come with every product, and replacement cycles are planned accordingly.

• Is an EN standard the same as CE marking?

  No. An EN standard defines the method a product was tested against; CE marking shows a declaration of conformity with the relevant regulation. A product should have both the test against the right standard and the declaration.

• What do the pictograms on the label mean?

  Each pictogram represents a risk family and the digits beside it give the performance levels in that family. Next to the mechanical pictogram, for example, four digits give abrasion, cut, tear and puncture results.

• Do our garments expire when a standard is revised?

  No, a garment in service remains valid against the version it was tested to. New purchases follow the current version, which is why the supply file should record which version applied.