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Belarus discussed issues of expanding domestic production of personal protective equipment. This discussion took place during a round table on the topic "Modern requirements - a driver for the development of the light industry in the five-year quality plan," BELTA was informed by the press service of the State Committee for Standardization.
Heads and specialists of organizations of the "Bellegprom" concern and the State Committee for Standardization were invited to participate. The business part was a professional discussion on expanding domestic production of personal protective equipment. In particular, those used for protection against thermal risks of electric arcs.
An electric arc is a type of powerful electrical discharge in a gas (e.g., in air). It is used in welding, arc furnaces, lamps, and occurs involuntarily during short circuits or switching, requiring special extinguishing measures. To protect personnel from its radiation, burns, and electric shock, which can be fatal, personal protective equipment with special properties is used. For example, the fabrics from which such clothing is made. The sectors most in need of it are energy, transport, and electrical engineering.
The initiative of the "Bellegprom" concern is aimed at unlocking the potential of domestic enterprises in this segment. At the same time, the import-substituting product must be of high quality and surpass the samples currently presented in the country. The basis for solving this problem is the corresponding base of standards and tests. This required a constructive discussion of interaction and experience exchange issues among specialists - manufacturers, testers, and consumers.
The discussion, moderated by the Chairman of the State Committee for Standardization Elena Morgunova and the Chairman of the "Bellegprom" concern Nadezhda Lazarevich, was attended by specialists from these departments and subordinate enterprises, as well as the Ministries of Energy, Transport and Communications.
Following the discussion held at the Belarusian State Institute for Standardization and Certification, the parties presented their positions and outlined further steps for developing modern requirements and testing methods, as well as creating new unique testing grounds for bringing new domestic products with confirmed characteristics to the market. The need for systemic solutions to protect the domestic market was also highlighted, including the development of an input control system for state procurement of these personal protective equipment using budget funds.
Approaches to implementing the initiative in cooperation with all interested parties, and not only light industry enterprises, will be continued.