| We all live in an age where prices, on the whole, | | | | central quality, in the case of the UK, the British |
| have never been cheaper for basic commodities. | | | | Standards Institute. This specification covered 3 |
| This is perhaps more noticeable in the Marial Arts | | | | very important areas of safety: |
| world, where the uptake of new students over | | | | 1. Impact Testing |
| the past 15 years has never been higher. And | | | | 2. Toxicity of materials used |
| today, it is a common fact that the most active | | | | 3. Zones of protection offered |
| uuptake in any Martial Art style is by children. | | | | In short, for an item to carry the CE Approved |
| Parents, rightly, see the practising of Martial Arts | | | | logo, it had to withstand a number of very |
| as a stimulant for their offspring. Discipline, | | | | important test criteria. It had to demonstrate that |
| politeness and respect are three of the virtues | | | | it could withstand force of impact to the relevant |
| students will learn. Add to that confidence, and, in | | | | areas it protected and that the materials were |
| todays increasingly violent world, an ability to | | | | not harmful to health. Meeting all the relevant test |
| perhaps defend oneself from attack, the Martial | | | | areas meant that a product was deemed |
| Arts still offers one of the most satisfying all | | | | Approved for use and could carry the presitigious |
| round fitness and personal development training | | | | CE approved mark. |
| available anywhere. | | | | So, in 1995, this requirement became law. As with |
| As a result of such large numbers now training, | | | | many new laws, a period of implementation was |
| the competition side has grown and developed. | | | | granted, to allow manufacturers to have their |
| The exclusive minor meeting once held between | | | | products tested accordingly. In 2008, one would |
| local clubs has blossomed into major regional, | | | | expect that any safety equipment they |
| national and international events, giving people the | | | | purchased would be approved. Sadly, this is not |
| opportunity to truely compete on a World level. | | | | the case, and CE Approved equipment, for Martial |
| As a result of this development, equipment and | | | | Arts at least, is almost non-existent. |
| safety has also moved on somewhat from the | | | | In an age where price appears to be the most |
| early days! I remember entering competitions | | | | important issue to the consumer, and with the |
| when the only protection you wore was a | | | | seeming ease with which almost anyone can |
| gumshield! Injuries were common, from cuts and | | | | import products from overseas, we have, |
| bruises to bone breaks, but despite the risk, | | | | unfortunately, an industry where there is little or |
| nothing could compare to the stimulus of walking | | | | no regulation or control over what is sold, the |
| onto the mat to take on your opponent. The | | | | quality standards nor the reliability. If you search |
| risks were there, we just never gave them a | | | | the internet, you can find head protectors for as |
| second thought! | | | | low as £12, totally unapproved, and |
| Since then, Health and Safety has become more | | | | therefore, technically, illegal. At the other end of |
| and more prevalent in our lives, and with the | | | | the scale, you can find an approved head |
| increase in the numbers of people taking up | | | | protector ranging in price from around £20 |
| Martial Arts, especially children, so the injuries | | | | upto £35, depending on the brand. So, for |
| increased. Safety was something that could no | | | | just £8 pounds or so more, you can have |
| longer be overlooked, especially in areas where full | | | | a fully tested, fully apporved, completely legal, |
| contact sparing was permitted. As a result, | | | | and, perhaps more importantly, peace of mind |
| sparring equipment became more and more a | | | | knowing that, if you, you child or anyone else |
| requirement of competition entry. | | | | suffers and injury, your insurance will cover you. |
| Gradually, equipment became available more | | | | Contrast this with mainland Europe, where it is |
| readily that would offer protection to those areas | | | | almost impossible to find non CE approved |
| deemed most at risk. Although simple protection | | | | equipment. Here, the legislation is rigorously policed |
| was in use to protect the hands and shins, this | | | | and enforced. Why is this not the case here in the |
| was, in effect, all that was used. Head Guards and | | | | UK? I guess this is question only Trading |
| Chest protection were adopted, along with | | | | Standards can answer, and from experience, no |
| Forearm Protectors and so during the 1990's | | | | answer has ever been forthcoming, no matter |
| especially, a full set of safety protection was | | | | how many times the question is asked. |
| available. However, this was largely unregulated, | | | | So, next time you are buying sparring and safety |
| meaning that suppliers could sell whatever they | | | | equipment, ask youself a question......"What price is |
| wanted. | | | | my safety, or even my life worth?" Sounds |
| In 1995, the European Community introduced a | | | | dramatic maybe, but consider this, serious injury |
| specification, endorsed by all the member | | | | or even death is always a possibility, especially |
| countries quality institutes, outlining basic criteria | | | | with blows to the head and body. Nothing is a |
| that all PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) had to | | | | concrete guarantee, but for the sake of just a |
| meet. Known as CE Approval, this specification is | | | | few pounds or dollars, is it really worth the risk? |
| administered by each country under it's own | | | | |