Associations, Product Groups and Working Groups
The BSIF runs a number of Associations, Product Groups and Working Groups, providing members with the opportunity to maintain intelligence on the Safety & Health and Environmental Safety markets and to influence the directions they take.
Associations
The BSIF operates the Safety Distributor Association, which allows distributors in our market to discuss common issues and promote their interests. In particular this association engenders the education and training of customer facing staff to achieve externally recognised qualifications to provide them with the necessary knowledge to assist their customers.
The BSIF Test & Certification Association encompasses every Notified Body in the UK scoped to certify products to the European PPE Directive, soon to become the PPE Regulation. This allows them to meet and formulate the UK position on wider issues and share best practice. Through this association the BSIF nominates delegates to European committees for all Notified Bodies, and to the drafting groups for British, European and Global standards.
Product Groups
BSIF Product Groups bring members together to resolve common issues and provide them with up to date intelligence on their market, its standards and the regulatory requirements. Enjoying support and attendance by HSE and the Environment Agency, each Group also nominates members to BSI standards drafting committees, providing the additional opportunity to work on the EN and ISO standards which influence their industry. BSIF members are free to participate in all groups relevant to their organisation’s product portfolio. The groups include:
Head Protection Product Group
Eye & Face Protection Product Group
Hearing Protection Product Group
Respiratory Protection Product Group
Protective Glove & Clothing Product Group
Safety Footwear Product Group
Skin Protection Product Group
Height Safety Group
Liquid Pollution Control Group.
Working Groups
At any one time the BSIF runs a number of Working Groups born out of the other Product Groups and Associations and tasked with developing information and guidance to formulate our campaigns, raising awareness and providing assistance to improve long term occupational health. These include “It’s in your hands” (skin protection), “Listen today, hear tomorrow” (hearing protection), and “Clean Air? Take Care!” (respiratory protection).