UK recall highlights online safety shoe risks
The British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) has reported that safety shoes sold via TikTok have been recalled following concerns over product safety and regulatory non-compliance.
According to the BSIF, the shoes were advertised as offering protection against impact and penetration but had not undergone conformity assessment and lacked CE or UKCA marking.
The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) confirmed that the footwear did not meet the requirements of Regulation (EU) 2016/425 or the Personal Protective Equipment (Enforcement) Regulations 2018.
The shoes were removed from TikTok after enforcement action by the OPSS, prompted by product safety consultant Lewis Collantine, who raised the alert.
Despite the recall, the BSIF said similar footwear remained available for purchase on other online marketplaces, including Temu.
TikTok-listed shoes failed required safety assessments
The product, listed under various promotional names on TikTok, was described as “anti-smash” and “anti-puncture” but failed to meet basic testing standards, the OPSS said.
The regulator stated: “The product presents a serious risk of injuries because although advertised as ‘anti-smash’ and ‘anti-puncture,’ there is no evidence it has undergone conformity assessment as PPE and it is not CE or UKCA marked.”
It added: “The product does not meet the requirements of the Regulation (EU) 2016/425 on Personal Protective Equipment or the Personal Protective Equipment (Enforcement) Regulations 2018.”
BSIF CEO Alan Murray said: “No surprises here. The BSIF has been aware of a burgeoning volume of substandard footwear available on platforms such as TikTok for some time, but we are pleased to see Trading Standards take action and we must applaud the work of Lewis Collantine, who has been instrumental in bringing this example to light.
“This is exactly why the new Product Safety and Metrology Bill needs to ensure there are real ramifications for online suppliers who fail to provide properly certified products.
“Employers and users deserve confidence that PPE described as protective genuinely meets standards and offers the protection it claims.”
Personal purchases and employer responsibility
The BSIF stated that many of the recalled products may have been purchased by individuals who were given PPE allowances but lacked knowledge of safety certification requirements.
Alan Murray added: “We suspect that many of these products are being bought personally by workers – including limb (b) workers who are not direct employees but for whom employers still have a legal duty to provide PPE under recent updates to the PPE Regulations.
“These individuals are often given a budget to buy their own PPE but may not fully understand the regulations or certification requirements surrounding safety products.
“The reality is that substandard PPE advertised as protective simply does not protect workers, and it can put lives at risk.”
BSIF surveillance reveals ongoing safety failures
BSIF market monitoring has found that substandard PPE remains widespread in the UK market.
Roy Wilders, BSIF Registered Safety Supplier Scheme Manager, said: “Year in, year out, the BSIF’s market surveillance shows there is an alarming volume of substandard PPE available to buy and in use in the UK.
“Our latest statistics show a shocking 90% failure rate for products we bought and tested from non-registered suppliers.
“This is in stark contrast to products from BSIF Registered Safety Suppliers, where almost 90% of products passed all the test criteria – and in the very few instances where discrepancies arose, they were immediately addressed and rectified.”
BSIF urges use of registered safety suppliers
The BSIF has reiterated the need for end users and employers to purchase PPE only from BSIF Registered Safety Suppliers to ensure compliance and safety.
The organisation said that these suppliers commit to providing properly tested, certified products in line with relevant PPE regulations.
It also noted that the Registered Safety Supplier Scheme aims to help employers and individuals identify suppliers who meet expected safety and quality standards.
Safety shoes recalled over PPE compliance failure: Summary
Safety shoes sold on TikTok have been recalled in the UK following regulatory concerns.
The BSIF attributed the recall to the work of Lewis Collantine and action by the OPSS.
The shoes were promoted as protective but lacked conformity assessment and certification.
The OPSS confirmed the shoes failed to meet EU and UK PPE regulations.
BSIF stated similar products remained for sale on other platforms such as Temu.
Alan Murray said substandard PPE could put lives at risk.
He noted some products are purchased by workers unaware of certification requirements.
Roy Wilders said BSIF surveillance found a 90% failure rate among non-registered suppliers.
Wilders said 90% of PPE from BSIF-registered suppliers passed test criteria.
The BSIF advised buyers to use BSIF Registered Safety Suppliers for compliant products.