On the 8th of July 2025, our Founder & MD Natalie Wilson was invited to attend an MPs Round Table to discuss inclusive PPE, awareness, challenges and opportunities to support the implementation of the BS 30417 Provision of Inclusive PPE Standard – Guide.
Natalie explained: “Inclusive PPE needs several stakeholder groups to come together – buyers need education and awareness of how to procure inclusive PPE; manufacturers need to understand how and why to supply inclusive PPE, and technical product Standards need updating to ensure testing and certification of inclusive PPE.”
The Round Table was attended by several of the British Standards Institute (BSI) team who have supported and been involved in the Standard: Anne Hayes, Director of Sectors and Standards Development, Nele Zgavc, Senior Standards Manager and Sara Gibbs, Standards Development Manager.
It was also attended by Frazer Clarke Head of Clothing at ARCO, Lynsey Mann and Melanie Bartlett from GMB and several MPs who are fully supportive of positive change to better support inclusive workforces.
Discussions included challenges to manufacturing and procurement, risks and injuries caused when PPE is not correctly fitting, and the future actions needed for legislation to meet the needs of industry and the diverse workforces.
The extent to which this topic impacts legislation was also discussed with far-reaching links into issues such as gender discrimination, disability rights, the Equality Act, as well as the Health & Safety at Work Act, and PPE at Work Regulations.
Natalie concluded: “the discussion at the Round Table was so important as it represented the next stage in this process, as we need legislators to mandate the provision of inclusive PPE with clear updates required to current relevant Health & Safety legislation.”
We look forward to attending the next Parliamentary discussions to move this important subject forward, for the benefit of every body.