Beware of low-cost products. Trust certified products.
The COVID-19 pandemic has created an unprecedented worldwide demand for personal protective equipment such as clothing, masks and above all gloves. Every day, professionals in the world of work – and beyond – seek to protect themselves and others from the spread of this terrible virus.
The market has responded quickly but this high demand has also led to the emergence of numerous cases of fraud at the expense of end users. In recent months, in fact, Italian and European markets have seen an invasion of low-quality and very economical gloves of dubious origin and suitability.
So how can we protect ourselves from this fraudulent behaviour? Here are a number of signs that may indicate the sale of non-conforming equipment:
- The inability to identify the origins of the product sold
- The lack of a batch number, production date and/or expiry date
- Excessively low prices in comparison to similar products on the market
- The availability of large quantities of products
Furthermore, Regulation (EU) 2016/425 on PPE sets out all the details that must be respected in marketing products. Firstly, the label and declaration of conformity must be legible in the language of the country of sale, while markings must contain all relative references allowing identification of the producer. In addition, the same Regulation establishes the obligations of manufacturers, representatives, importers and distributors. Violations by all entities involved in the production chain are clearly punishable.
It is therefore always advisable to rely on trustworthy partners with proven and lengthy experience in the sector. Reflexx gloves comply with all medical, occupational safety (PPE) and food regulations and guarantee high quality, strength and product safety. In particular, Reflexx products comply with the following regulations:
- Medical devices – Regulation (EU) 2017/745 – EN 455 standards 1, 2, 3, 4
- Personal protective equipment – Regulation EU 2016/425 – EN 420 – EN 374-1 – EN 374-5 – EN 388
- FCM (Food Contact Materials) DM 21/03/1973, Regulation EU 10/2011, Regulation EC 1935/2004
It is therefore advisable to be wary of products that do not display these regulations in a clear manner on the packaging.