We have seen so many new “Supposed” PPE companies that have come out of the wood work to both scam people and profiteer from peoples fear.

It would have been useful for google to verify the websites of companies that have been around pre Covid 19 so that purchasers of disposable masks could buy with confidence.

We are approached everyday with fake CE marked face covering masks, medical masks or surgical masks with no certification to back up their claimed protection and products such as KN95 masks all products that that are illegal to sell in the UK.

If the product is not legal to sell in the UK it cannot be sold.

Avoid KN95 Masks:  NOT LEGAL TO SELL IN THE UK

Any certificates pretending to be CE for these would be 100% fake and if someone tries to tell you they offer the same protection when independently tested these products would be unlikely to meet the CE safety standards.

If a company provides these for their employees they run the risk of negligence claims for not providing the appropriate RPE for their staff and likely action from the HSE.  In appropriate RPE could also lead to death.

If you are a private person you are purchasing not only an illegal product but paying for something that is unlikely to offer any protection!

As a long established PPE company we have a duty of care to inform trading standards and medical bodies for investigation into the fake masks that people try to sell us in the UK.  This can lead to a hefty jail sentence. So be warned!

The simplest way to not be scammed or purchase a product with no REAL proven protection is don’t buy from any website created during the pandemic even if they say they are “Supposed Experts’”.

They lie! Any website created selling masks that has been created this year AVOID. They are likely to be scammers, fake products all out to profit on fear.

We have looked at many of these sites and they are selling products that are illegal to sell in the UK, selling on the word CE approved when the product is not to CE certified standard but only stands for Chinese export and certificates that mean nothing.

Without having to be an expert in certification for the face coverings / masks that can legally be sold in the UK. Simply avoid any new website set up this year.

This is very simple just put the name of the website into the nominet the domain registry. If the website was created this year AVOID. If you have already purchased from these people get your money back from them and report them to trading standards.

There are also a huge number of fakes being sold on third party sales platforms which should be looked into. Fake products do not protect!

Always buy from PPE and face coverings from companies that have the experience and in the company name. A florists company suddenly selling masks would fill me with fear! We hear all the time of companies who have never need to buy PPE, Care Homes buying fake or illegal products.

Please ensure that you or your friends follow the guidance above so they are properly protected with legal products.