28 November 2025
what is BS 30417 and why does it matter for your workforce?
Ill-fitting or unsuitable PPE can do more harm than good. From poor comfort and restricted movement to compromised protection, the wrong protective workwear leaves workers at risk and undermines the very purpose of protective clothing.
However, BS 30417 has been introduced to help employers address that.
This new British Standard sets out clear, practical guidance to make PPE provision genuinely inclusive. It supports organisations in choosing, fitting and maintaining PPE that works for everyone – regardless of gender, body shape, pregnancy, disability, or cultural and religious requirements.
what is BS 30417?
BS 30417 a first-of-its-kind, new standard from the British Standards Institution (BSI). It fills a long-recognised gap in PPE regulations by focusing on who the equipment is designed for, not just what it protects against.
The standard is freely available to download, making it accessible to all employers, safety managers and procurement teams. Its aim is simple – to help organisations meet their legal duty to provide suitable PPE under the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations, whilst ensuring comfort, fit and safety for every wearer.
"Practical guidance designed to ensure employers across all sectors provide staff with personal protective equipment (PPE) that fits, regardless of gender, ethnicity, body shape, age, or disability, has been issued in a long-awaited move designed to help struggling sectors retained skilled workers and ultimately enhance people’s safety at work."
British Standards Institute press release
what does BS 30417 cover?
BS 30417 provides a framework for organisations to take a more person-centred approach to PPE. It includes guidance on:
how BS 30417 complements existing PPE standards
BS 30417 is not a product performance standard, so garments can’t be certified to it. However, it’s designed to work alongside existing PPE standards that define hazard protection, such as:
- EN ISO 11612 – Flame and heat protection
- EN ISO 11611 – Welding and allied processes
- EN 61482-2:2020 – Arc flash protection
- EN ISO 20471 – High-visibility workwear
Together, these standards ensure workers are both protected from hazards and equipped with PPE that fits properly. The result? Improved compliance, reduced risk, and greater workforce satisfaction. ensuring comfort, fit and safety for every wearer.
read the full BSI standard
why BS 30417 matters
For many years, women and other underrepresented groups have struggled to find PPE that fits correctly. In industries such as healthcare, utilities and manufacturing, poorly fitting garments can restrict movement, cause discomfort and potentially even increase the risk of accidents.
BS 30417 helps employers overcome these barriers by encouraging inclusive design and better-fit testing from the start. The result is PPE that performs as it should – keeping workers protected, productive and valued.
This shift towards inclusivity also supports wider business goals. Comfortable, well-fitting PPE boosts morale, reduces absenteeism and helps retain skilled workers who might otherwise leave roles due to inadequate protection or discomfort.
“BS 30417 marks a pivotal step forward for our industry. For too long, PPE design has defaulted to a one-size-fits-all approach that doesn’t reflect the diversity of today’s workforce. By setting out clear, practical guidance on inclusive provision, this standard helps ensure that every wearer is protected, comfortable and able to perform at their best.”
Charlotte Clarke, Managing Director at alsico UK
inclusive PPE from alsico
At alsico, inclusivity has always been at the heart of how we design and produce protective garments.
Our workwear is created to fit the real needs of diverse workforces – from pregnant and menopausal women to those needing adaptive, cultural or religious uniform adjustments. Our design and development teams continue to innovate around fit, flexibility and comfort – especially now with our 3D design software and digital sizing tools – ensuring every garment we produce helps people feel protected and confident at work.
As such, we’re proud to support BSI and the move towards more equitable PPE provision. By aligning with the principles of BS 30417, we’re helping organisations not only meet compliance but also champion inclusivity across their operations.
looking for inclusive workwear?
Contact us today to find the best fit for every member of your team.
learn more about the environments we supply into
Environments
wearer protection
Protection is weaved into every part of alsico, we build it into everything we do and it drives our every decision. Our protective workwear range covers all high-safety sectors.
Environments
healthcare
We are one of the largest healthcare uniform suppliers in the UK, and are the majority supplier for the new NHS National Healthcare Uniform project.
Environments
workwear
At alsico, we have shown excellence in a wide range of work uniforms, ranging from warehousing to global travel companies and from transportation to construction.
Environments
electrification
Our passion for creating innovative fabrics has positioned us as a key supplier in the exciting new sector of electrical safety clothing, from battery companies to aerospace, to all anti-static environments.
Environments
contamination control
We have developed a specialism in cleanroom clothing and uniforms, delivering exceptional performance in highly controlled environments.
Environments
emergency response
We are always honored to be asked to provide workwear for our emergency services teams. We put our trust in them to help to look after us, and we do our very best in return, delivering performance when it matters.
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