SMIL started testing Natural Rubber Latex (NRL) examination gloves for the NHS in Wales almost 20 years ago.During the intervening years,test methods for perforations have become standardised,and manufacturing has relocated to Malaysia and Sri Lanka,where competition has burgeoned.A review of historical data has revealed that although the quality of gloves submitted for testing prior to contract adjudication has improved,there is still evidence of lapses in quality as evidenced by the testing of gloves taken from central stores in Wales for contract monitoring purposes.The laboratory has recently experienced problems involving vinyl gloves from China,and a drop in quality is predicted in the short to medium term whilst the Chinese glove manufacturers introduce quality systems appropriate to the European healthcare market.
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