Tecman Advanced Healthcare Products achieves highest possible CE certification for its British-made face shield
West Midlands manufacturer, Tecman, is proud to announce that its pioneering disposable face shield has been certified to category III complex design PPE level.
This achievement underlines the company’s vison to becomes a global leader in the development of vital face and eye protection for UK workers.
Having worked around the clock at the start of lockdown, the Tecman team developed their CE-marked face shield for high volume manufacture in record time. Since then, the innovative business has produced over 3 million face shields that have provided vital protection and comfort for UK healthcare staff.
Tecman’s Managing Director, Kevin Porter, says: “Achieving CE category III is a significant step for Tecman, and we’re proud of this achievement. This advanced certification represents progress on our journey to lead the development of a new generation of face and eye protection that prioritises the comfort of healthcare workers.”
What is category III complex design PPE level?
The 89/686/EEC PPE Directive is important legislation when it comes to ensuring occupational safety throughout Europe. The European Standards (EN) outline consistent requirements to ensure products meet enhanced performance and safety needs.
In order to achieve Category III certification, Tecman’s face shield was independently type tested by SATRA Technology to prove that it meets the requirements of the standard. Samples of the protective visor will be submitted for regular testing, and the face shield will be manufactured under an assessed quality management system to ensure ongoing production meets the type-tested sample.
Prioritising healthcare workers’ comfort
As Tecman’s range of face and eye protection products goes from strength to strength, the company has put comfort at the top of its agenda. The team have established focus groups to consult healthcare workers on their comfort needs and concerns, and the resulting feedback is being incorporated into the product development process.
This latest development follows the recent expansion into a second production facility – creating over 30 new jobs in the West Midlands – in addition to a large investment in automation to streamline production and boost manufacturing capacity to over 1 million protective face shields each week.
Thanks to support from Tecman’s UK-based healthcare supply partners, the disposable visors – which are the first to be category III-rated by SATRA – are made using exclusively British materials at Tecman’s Leamington Spa facility.
Kevin Porter, comments: “Britain has long been a great manufacturing nation, and we’re proud to continue the tradition. Our flagship category III face shield is the first in a new line of British-made face and eye protection products that prioritise the comfort and safety needs of healthcare workers.”
For more information about Tecman’s face and eye protection visit www.tecmanuk.com or email [email protected]