With so much uncertainty still remaining about what will happen after 31 January 2020, how can you be sure your Arc Flash PPE will still protect you after Brexit?
The simple answer is that ProGARM has committed to ensure that all of our garments and equipment provide the highest level of protection after Brexit so that you can be confident your workwear will continue to protect you and your team from the hazards you face.
What Arc Flash PPE standards do you currently comply with?
Our Arc Flash PPE complies with a range of appropriate standards. The most relevant standard is IEC 61482-2. This is the international standard applicable to Arc Flash and the thermals hazards of an electric arc. All ProGARM Arc Flash garments are rigorously tested to the Open Arc and Box Arc methods, providing protection across our range.
Garments also comply with EN ISO 11612, which certifies garments provide protection against heat and flame. Others include BS EN 1149-5 (anti-static) and BSEN ISO 20471 (high visibility clothing).
All of the standards we comply with are international or European Standards that have been issued by the British Standards Industry. Standards are updated and change regularly, and we are accustomed to re-testing garments and re-certificating to the latest standard updates.
If any additional standards are introduced due to Brexit that directly impact any of our garments or ability to supply Arc Flash PPE to Europe or to the UK we will complete any testing or certification to ensure continuous compliance.
What happens to PPE certification after 31 January 2020?
Our certification will remain the same until future trading rules are agreed, or until 20 December 2020 if no agreement is reached. If no agreement is reached our current notified body will transfer our EU type certification for all garments to an EU 27 notified body. This means we will still be able to sell our products in Europe.
CE marks are a European initiative so there will be a British replacement for the scheme. To obtain a CE mark currently we have to apply to a notified body which is the organisation accredited by the EU to check that the garment complies with all relevant safety standards.
Once we leave the EU UK-based notified bodies will no longer be able to award CE marks, instead becoming UK approved bodies with the same scope and same accreditation, approved to carry out the same procedures under UK legislation. In the UK, we currently expect that CE marks may be converted to UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA) marks. This means we will still be able to sell our products in the UK.
If you want to speak to someone so you can be sure your Arc Flash PPE will still protect you after Brexit, give one of our friendly team a call on 01482 679600.
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