Checking Authenticity in Indian Market
As battle with Covid19 has significantly increased demand for Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), a number of producers have come up in the market to produce PPE kits.
The guidelines on rational use of PPEs issued by MoH have specified specifications for PPEs which are generally ISO/ASTM/EU standards/regulations and accepts certificates from national/international organizations/labs – the latter is subject to interpretation.
As a result in the market, all kinds of certificates have been produced by suppliers to purchasers including govt procurement many of which are unauthentic.
Sub Standard PPEs are being sold to procurement teams in healthcare facilities by displaying unauthentic Certificates. This will cause more damage to healthcare workers, patients in both covid and non covid healthcare facilities.
Pending regulation, voluntary certifications are one major way of assuring quality in procuring PPEs but the risk of certificates from CBs whose credentials can not be verified is very high – hence important to know how the ecosystem operates and how one can verify authenticity of certificates being presented to buyers who may not have the knowledge to check authenticity.
Industry also needs to know that its going to a competent, credible certifying agency which is duly accredited or notified by an appropriate authority or body so that the certificate it gets is preferably internationally acceptable.
Buyers Beware is the only way and constant education to the user industry is the only way forward to help them make right choices in choosing right agencies, correct certificates.
Detailed Presentation is available here.
Beware of Substandard PPEs -Verifying Authenticity of Certificates
Author :
Mr Anil Jauhri
- M Tech Civil Engineering – IIT, Kanpur
- Former CEO , NABCB – National Accreditation Board for Certification bodies for 6 ½ years
- CDM Accreditation Panel Member at UNFCCC for12 years
- Member, Yoga Certification Board, Ministry of AYUSH
- Adviser, NABCB, Quality Council of India for 4 years
- Director, NABCB for 3 years
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