One Point Zero – Covid 19 Newsletter
With the information changing daily around the COVID19 virus and preventative equipment measures, we at One Point Zero will be consolidating the information we learn into a weekly newsletter, making it easy to stay on top of the changing rules and regulations surrounding personal protection equipment (PPE) export and distribution.
Chinese Government Approval Register for All Medical Masks Exporting out of China
In response to complaints from some of the European countries, the Chinese government has implemented new regulations that require all suppliers of medical and surgical masks to be on an official government register.
This is to help streamline the export of goods out of the country and try to reduce the chaos that has been occurring over the last few months. It will mean however, that for a lot of people purchasing blind, they will likely never receive their shipments which will get seized at the border as many suppliers will not meet the standards required to gain a place on the register. This will unfortunately cost buyers who are required to pay in full for shipment to occur.
The Chinese Manufacturing Industry Has Been Struggling- Until Now
The first quarter of 2020 has hit the Chinese manufacturing industry hard, with companies internationally putting orders on hold, pausing distribution and not putting through repeat orders. This means many manufacturers are stuck with product that has not yet been paid for, making them desperate to make some money as the rest of the world is looking to them to provide PPE.
Manufacturers Switching Their Specialties to Cash In on COVID19
Unfortunately, the COVID19 pandemic has created a cash cow opportunity for manufacturers, who are altering their machinery and assembly lines in order to make PPE. Regrettably, even if you have established a good working relationship with a Chinese manufacturer over the years, do not trust that they can suddenly deliver PPE. Too often, they do not understand the safety standards that each product must adhere to, they are not necessarily licenced to create medical products and they are more likely to not have the correct documentation in place to be able to export product successfully.
If a product does not meet the safety standards associated with the item, the shipment will be seized and prevented from progressing through customs.
COVID19 Scams
There are a multitude of scams occurring around the sale of PPE. The perfect scam now is delivering nothing but being paid in full and sadly this is happening too often where the demand is currently far outstripping the supply.
Hundreds of factories are mass manufacturing PPE to sell in high volume and make a quick buck. Unfortunately, these factories know that there is a relatively small window of opportunity and are therefore not implementing the proper procedures and regulations to ensure up-to-specification product. Prior to shipping orders, factories demand payment in full before they will release product from their factories. As nearly all these shipments are being seized at customs, it is just a quick and easy way to take advantage of the desperate circumstances. A lot of manufacturers don’t care if buyers never receive their supplies, as there are many more queuing up to put their order in.
Requirement Documentation that is Required to Successfully Export PPE
In order to be able to manufacture and successfully ship PPE product out of China, factories need to provide a high level of documentation. Currently, only the companies who were already established as PPE vendors are likely to fulfil all the paperwork required.
Essential documentation that has to be provided to ensure product is up to standard and that the shipment will reach its intended destination include:
- Business license and registration to produce medical equipment
- Facility certification (ISO 13485)
- Government authorization to export medical goods
- Products must comply to YY0469-2611 Chinese national standards
- Goods certified CE & FDA third party auditors
Vendors who cannot provide the above list of documents, have a high likelihood of their product being seized and never reaching its buyers.
Looking for PPE?
One Point Zero have an approved and audited supply chain for PPE and are successfully distributing product across Europe. If you are looking for masks, respirators and other first response equipment, get in touch through our contact page or by emailing us at info@one-pointzero.com and one of our sales team will be in touch.