Midlands Manufacturer Awarded EN 13795 For UK Made PPE

Tamworth based Wearwell (UK) Ltd, a UK manufacturer of workwear and PPE, has become one of the first manufacturers in the country to be awarded EN 13795 certification, alongside the CE mark, for its UK-made disposable surgical gown.

Approached via Medilink West Midlands in April this year, Wearwell was introduced to the Birmingham Hospitals Alliance who were seeking to diversify their supply chain with the inclusion of UK made PPE in order to build resilience ahead of the critical winter period.

With the continued threat of COVID-19 placing an undue pressure on the much-needed supply of critical PPE, BHA with the aid of Medilink, founded a consortium of Midlands-based manufactures able to supple quality UK made PPE directly into the NHS.

Selected as part of a five manufacturers consortium, Wearwell, who have been manufacturing and supplying workwear and PPE for over 80 years, began employing new seamstresses exclusively for the manufacture of the disposable surgical gowns, as well as investing circa £100,000 into state-of-the-art new ultra-sonic welding machinery, in order to meet the required 10,000 units per week.

As part of its work with the NHS, Wearwell sent its gowns for tough industry testing at BTTG™ Testing & Certification Ltd. The garment passed with flying colours, allowing them to bear the prestigious CE mark and EN 13795 accreditation. According to BTTG™ Testing & Certification Ltd, which carried out the tests, EN 13795 certification, “Ensures that a material has high mechanical resistance, through testing burst resistance (ISO 13938-1) or tensile strength (EN 29073-3), as well as being able to resist penetration by liquids (ISO 811) – essential for stopping bodily fluids coming in contact with staff.”

CEO Richard Wright said, “We are committed to manufacturing vital supplies to our local NHS hospitals while helping BHA to diversify its supply chain and build resilience ahead of the critical winter period. Our investment in equipment and dedicated staff means we are supplying 10,000 gowns per week with a capacity to exceed this should the need arise.

“Having been a workwear manufacturer for more than 80 years, we are diligent about testing and committed to achieving and exceeding EN standards. We’re pleased to be one of the first in the country to receive this certification, which is testament to the team’s expertise and quality standards.”

To find out more, visit: www.wearwell.co.uk