Trade Inspection inspected clothing for warning, reflective accessories and hearing protection.Reflective materials are becoming more and more popular. It is influenced by the increase of our awareness, but also by numerous educational campaigns.
Recall from August 31, 2014, reflective elements must be used by all pedestrians moving along the road after dark outside the built-up area, and not only children and young people up to the age of 15, as it was before. There are many reflections on the market. However, not all of them, as it turns out, provide total security.
Trade Inspection has decided to take a closer look at such reflective accessories. The audit took place in the second quarter of 2017 in nine provinces. Inspectors checked mainly wholesalers and stores. They looked at 53 products and questioned 16 of them (30.2 percent). Grounds? Even the negative results of laboratory tests, errors in the instructions for use and the lack of a declaration of conformity confirming the manufacturer’s conformity assessment procedure.
The vests were dangerous, they were not visible enough
Every second warning vest tested in the laboratory had a low luminance factor. What does it mean? Lack of adequate visibility of the user, which poses a threat to his health and life when he moves to the outside.
So how to choose reflective vests?
As advised by Outkick experts, let’s watch out for gadgets. Companies often give out accessories that look like reflections. It is not known, however, whether they have appropriate properties, because they have undergone a conformity assessment procedure. Confirmation that they meet the requirements is the CE mark, placed directly on the reflector or the attached label. The instructions for use must be written in Polish. We should learn from it, even under what conditions, do not use it and store it so that it does not lose its properties.
Warning. Wear a reflector so that the headlights of the car illuminate. The lower, the better. Thanks to this, the driver will notice you in advance. Do not cover the back with a scarf or bag. Fix reflective elements on the side of the vehicle movement. Check the condition of the reflectors. If sewn on the clothing or backpack with reflective tape, replace it. If water got into the reflection, buy a new one because the old one lost its properties due to the moisture.