HVF, SITRA among 8 labs to test PPE prototype samples

The Heavy Vehicle Factory, Avadi, and South India Textiles Research Association (SITRA), Coimbatore, are now among the eight laboratories which are now testing PPE coveralls required for protection from COVID-19.

The laboratories also include DRDO-INMAS, New Delhi; Small Arms Factory, Kanpur; Ordnance Factory, Kanpur; Ordnance Factory, Muradnagar; Ordnance Factory, Ambernath; Metal & Steel Factory, Ishapore. All these laboratories have been accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL), an official release said.

The tests are being conducted after conforming with the technical requirements issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India on March 2, 2020.

On April 6, 2020, the Ministry of Textiles issued detailed procedure for issue of Unique Certification Code (UCC) for each passed prototype sample from the manufacturers of the PPE coveralls. These procedures were further rationalised by the Ministry of Textiles on April 22, an official statement said. 

The UCC refers to each prototype sample submitted by the manufacturer and is required to be embossed on each manufactured coverall along with the name of the manufacturer, date of manufacture and name of the client.

This procedure has been fully implemented in respect of procurement by HLL Lifecare Limited, which is the procurement agency for the hospitals and healthcare organisations under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

The manufacturers are also required to submit an affidavit along with their submitted sample, stating details of their manufacturing unit, GSTIN number, company registration number, Udyog Aadhar number or DIC registration number and other relevant details. They are also required to declare that they are textile manufacturers and not traders. The affidavit is to form a part of the UCC Certificate.