TIMESCALE
A two year transition period started on 21st April 2016,
so the new Regulation is ‘in force’, but cannot be applied
until 21st April 2018, when it becomes ‘applicable’.
The current Directive will be repealed on 21 April 2018,
but you can continue to place new products which conform
to it on the market for a further 12 months. After 21 April
2019 you will only be able to use the Regulation to certify
products.
The 5 year validity of certificates also takes effect from
21 April 2018, so current certificates (unless they expire
beforehand) will continue to be valid until 21 April 2023,
after which a new certificate will be required. The new
certificate will have a maximum validity of 5 years.
The renewal process is intended to be simple if the
product and standard have not changed. Exact details will
come from the guidance to be produced to accompany the
Regulation.
BSIF will help develop the supporting guidance with
the EU Commission, and the legal guidance for the UK will
be co-authored by BSIF and the Department for Business
Innovation and Skills (BIS).
Many products currently on the market are supported
by certificates to an earlier version of a standard (that has
since been revised and has a later date). Other products are
certified to a standard that has been superseded. Notified
Bodies cannot issue new certificates to superseded or
earlier versions of standards, so from 21 April 2023, all PPE
will have to comply with the latest version of its standard if
it is to be certified, or re-certified.
Although Notified Bodies will not be able to issue
certificates to the Regulation until 21 April 2018, they can
become accredited to make assessments to it from 21
October 2016. The 2 year transition period is designed to
give manufacturers and Notified Bodies time to prepare for
the changeover.
“WBT set the bar high,
and recognise that one
of the most important
aspects of the service
they offer is to ensure
that product quality is
of the highest order.”
CONCLUSION
WBT are fully cognisant of their responsibilities and
obligations to customers in respect of the New PPE
Regulation (EU) 2016/425. Working closely with the BSIF will
ensure that WBT will be fully compliant at every stage of
the Regulation implementation.
WBT set the bar high, and recognise that one of the
most important aspects of the service they offer is to
ensure that product quality is of the highest order. The
company is committed to fully complying with and
exceeding recognised Industry Standards. Through
ongoing innovation and continuous development, WBT
will ensure that they are always ahead of the game in
protecting people every day and building towards a safer
future.
For more information, go to: www.wbtwholesale.co.uk
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