Inclusive PPE: Stay Onside with BS 30417

How Smart Red Can Help Your Business to Comply

The new BS 30417:2025 – Provision of Inclusive Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) marks a major shift in how organisations think about workwear and safety gear.

For years, PPE has been designed around a single “standard” fit. Yet over 40 % of women say their PPE doesn’t fit properly, and many others struggle with sizing, accessibility or cultural requirements. Ill-fitting equipment doesn’t just feel wrong — it undermines protection, confidence and participation at work.

BS 30417 aims to change that. It encourages employers to move away from one-size-fits-all approaches and instead build PPE programmes that recognise real differences in body shape, ability and need.

What this means in practice

For organisations, that shift has real implications.

• Procurement teams will need to review specifications and supplier ranges to ensure genuine inclusivity — offering multiple fits, styles and accessible options rather than a single default.
• Health and Safety leads will need clearer records of fittings, adjustments and feedback, as well as structured replacement planning so equipment stays safe and comfortable throughout its life.
• Operational managers will need to involve end-users directly in evaluating new garments — gathering insight on comfort, fit and durability to inform future purchasing decisions.
• Suppliers and manufacturers will need to show flexibility in sizing, accessibility and delivery, supported by transparent data and documentation.

In short, inclusion in PPE is becoming part of how good safety, wellbeing and brand reputation are measured.

At Smart Red, we’re already helping organisations respond – making it simple to manage diverse uniform ranges, set garment-level replacement intervals, track fittings and allowances, and capture real feedback from end-users through trials and return reports.

Want to find out how to keep onside of BS 30417? Contact us today for a chat.