PPE – Personal Protective Equipment is special clothing or apparatus that protects the user against health and or safety risks at work. PPE was first introduced as part of the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations act of 1992, since amended to that of 2002 and then 2018 and have contributed to the maintenance of health and safety in the workplace ever since.

More recently however, PPE has come into the forefront of global news as medical staff faced shortages of the equipment, leaving many to make their own out of rubbish bags, clothing etc. Although the term PPE is used to discuss these medical equipment shortages, the term covers a host of different equipment necessary for differing industries and activities.

According to Gov.uk, the UK implemented Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/568 to “ensure adequate supply of vital PPE within the UK, EU, EFTA and certain dependent and other territories”. This was accompanied by the PPE export control process 2020/402, and has since been amended by 2020/568 which will initially last until 25^th May 2020.

The official journal of the European Union states:

“As the epidemiological crisis caused by the COVID-19 disease continues, the demand within the Union for personal protective equipment (‘PPE’), which consists of protective masks (and surgical masks), gloves, goggles, face-shields, and overalls, remains very high and is even continuously increasing. The demand for certain types of PPE has especially led to shortages on the internal market. Given its nature and the prevailing circumstances, such type of equipment is an essential product since it is necessary to prevent the further spreading of the disease, and safeguard the health of medical staff treating infected patients.”