The manufacturers of personal protective equipment (PPE) gears are asking the Government to change certain guidelines for manufacturing.

It includes allowing the makers to ‘self-attest’ their products instead of getting them tested outside as this precious time could be saved in the race to protect healthcare workers standing at the front lines in the war against Coronavirus.

Union Textile Minister Smriti Irani said that no norms would be diluted as utmost precaution needs to be taken as per the guidelines issued by WHO.

Two health-sector manufacturing associations — Preventive Wear Manufacturers’ Association of India and Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AIMED) — have written a letter to the Government.

The letter demands that the requirement for mandatory testing of protective gear at the South Indian Textile Research Association (SITRA) laboratory located in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu should be lifted as it is time taking.

Meanwhile, the associations suggest that raw materials recommended by SITRA can be used and body coveralls be self-attested. Currently, the samples have to be sent to the lab for testing and certification.

It was earlier reported that 11 firms including denim manufacturer Arvind Mills have been roped in to make PPE for the frontline health workers and doctors.

These associations have also demanded removal of HLL — a Government of India undertaking — as the sole supplier of PPE kits.

They have asked garment exporters and fabricators workforce to augment production under supervision of 20 listed manufacturers. They also want removal of the requirement of tape on seams of the body suit as it prohibits the entry of fluids or droplets.

Smriti Irani concluded “Internationally mandated specifications cannot be diluted as it may risk the lives of medical and healthcare professionals.”