Natalie Wilson, Managing Director for Workwear Solutions International, is speaking at the PCIAW® Summit on the new standard for the ‘Provision of Inclusive PPE’. The PCIAW® takes place on 29-30th October 2025 at Hilton London Bankside.
As the Chair of the standard committee, Natalie will be hosting a panel discussion with speakers who were involved in the inclusive PPE standard development process, including Kirsteen Sullivan, Member of Parliament for Bathgate and Linlithgow, Sara Gibbs, Standards Development Manager, BSI, and Rowshi Hussain, Senior Geo-Environmental Engineer at Cundall.
Developing the BS 30417: Provision of Inclusive PPE – Guide
Inclusive PPE needs several stakeholder groups to come together – buyers need education and awareness of how to procure inclusive PPE; manufacturers need to understand how and why to supply inclusive PPE.
Technical product standards need updating to ensure testing and certification of inclusive PPE. One of the most critical aspects of developing the Inclusive PPE Standard was including representation from diverse end-users, so that we could drive the requirements based on their lived experiences.
Hearing first-hand the issues being faced across a broad range of industries was key to developing the standard and really highlighted that it is more important than ever to address the widespread issues and cultural biases towards what Inclusive PPE is, and why it is so critical.
Combining end users’ feedback along with representation from manufacturers, health & safety experts, standards makers and other specialists, gave us the full spectrum of perspectives, so we could consider the challenges and requirements of all stakeholders.
A key message of the Standard is that Inclusive PPE does not mean one size fits all, but instead means that solutions may require a range of PPE items to be provided for all users to be properly fitted, and with the correct levels of protection afforded to all wearers.
The next stage is to look for legislators to support and mandate the provision of inclusive PPE with clear updates required to current relevant Health & Safety legislation, ensuring that industry is ready for the changes and expectations are set for the future of the professional clothing, workwear and PPE industry.
What inclusivity in PPE means for end-users
“Inclusive PPE means that there is no single solution for everyone. It may require offering a range of PPE items properly fitted for all users, ensuring equal levels of protection and ensuring comfort for all wearers. Designers and suppliers should therefore consult closely with their clients to understand future requirements and assess how their current offerings meet the needs of the workforce for whom they are designed. Conversely, suppliers of uniforms, workwear, and PPE can expect buyers to ask more questions about inclusivity going forward.
The European Commission has identified 76 individual PPE standards that pose a high risk of injury or health issues due to the lack of inclusive considerations. These standards will be prioritised for review.
In the long term, this will affect the development and revision of technical product standards and testing methods as part of a European review of inclusivity within current standards.
The positive impact of this standard begins with equal access to properly fitting PPE for a diverse workforce. It will help attract and retain talent, support people returning to work after long-term absence, and ultimately enable more people to work safely across all sectors.
I am incredibly proud of the work carried out from concept to launch, and I look forward to discussing how the standard will be implemented in practice.”
About Natalie Wilson
Natalie Wilson is Founder and MD of multi award-winning technical and procurement consultancy business, Workwear Solutions International Ltd. Natalie is a PCIAW® Board member, Chair of PH/3 and the British Standard for Inclusive PPE. With 20+ years’ experience of the end-to-end process of development and supply of garments, Natalie is a respected technical industry expert, receiving multiple industry awards. Since 2022 Natalie has worked extensively with defence and security buyers to help shape specifications, provide guidance, and independent technical assessment support during the tender process.
