Profile
The driving force behind PVA
Technical File Services is Paul Varnsverry (pictured). Paul first became involved with the preparation of product
standards in 1984. With an involvement in manufacturing protective
clothing for motorcyclists, Paul was regularly consulted by the
governing body of motorcycle sport in the UK: the Auto-Cycle Union. Paul Varnsverry's work with the ACU
expanded to incorporate his involvement with a technical
subcommittee responsible for the drafting of a standard for
competition clothing for motorcyclists. This standard was not
implemented, but many of its doctrines can be found in European
Standard EN 13595, which was published in 2002.
Paul has been involved in the development of the European
standards for protective motorcycle clothing through his
membership of both British Standards Institution
(BSI) subcommittee PH/3/9 - in which capacity he is Principal UK
Technical Expert - and Comité Européen de
Normalisation (CEN) committee TC162/WG9; including his role as
convenor of the WG9 Project Group charged with the responsibility of
finalising European Standard EN 13595 Parts 1 to 4 for motorcyclists'
jackets, trousers and suits.
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Whilst Paul Varnsverry's work in the field of design, development,
testing and certification of motorcyclists' clothing is well known and
respected, his work with a variety of other industries should not be
overlooked.
Football player's shinpads, horse riders' body protectors, helmets for
cyclists, helmets and impact protectors for roller-sports, and
personal defence equipment for police officers are other areas where
Paul Varnsverry maintains an interest and an involvement. In 1998, he
proposed a new BSI work item covering protective clothing and
equipment for use in violent situations and in training by police,
prison officers, security officers, bullion handlers, couriers,
nursing staff in secure mental institutions and others facing threats
of physical violence in the course of their employment.
This proposal was made following the publication of the "Police
(Health and Safety) Act 1997; which brought the UK's serving police
officers within the scope of UK Health and Safety at Work legislation
for the first time. No official standards were available for
protective equipment manufactured for these user groups (although
advisory technical specifications have been produced in some cases)
and Mr. Varnsverry identified a very real need for authoritative
standards which would be of benefit to end users, purchasers and
manufacturers. Since many civilian employers and employees also choose
items of protective clothing and equipment selected by the police and
military - because the threats they face in their employment may be
similar - these standards have a far broader range of appeal that
might initially appear to be the case. Mr. Varnsverry sits as Chairman
of the BSI committee responsible for this work programme and is
regularly consulted for advice on equipment specifications by police,
military and other agencies both in the UK and overseas.
Mr. Varnsverry is also Convenor of European Standards committee CEN/TC
162/WG11 (body protection for sports); with a very active and
extensive work programme encompassing protection for martial arts,
football, fencing, equestrian activities, roller sports, ice hockey
and field hockey.
CEN/TC 162 has also appointed Mr. Varnsverry to the "Market
Surveillance Task Group ", which investigates fraudulent claims by
manufacturers and importers, and contraventions of the PPE Directive;
and will be liaising with legislative bodies and enforcement agencies
Europe-wide to improve their responses to such transgressions. The PPE
legislation is a highly technical subject area which, in many cases,
has by their own admission been beyond the comprehension of the
enforcement authorities, which has hindered their ability to respond.
Mr. Varnsverry is also a specialist advisor to the Association of
Chief Police Officers of England and Wales (ACPO) Motorcycle Project
Group – a subcommittee of the ACPO National Uniform Project Group -
and has drafted the technical content for the national operational
requirement for police motorcyclists’ protective clothing.
Mr. Varnsverry regularly lectures both within the UK and
Internationally, to both civilian and non-civilian audiences,
including:
UK Ministry of Defence Lower Limb Protection Symposium
Protective Clothing and Survival Equipment Conference
National Tactical Trainers Conference (UK Police)
Parliamentary Advisory Committee on Transport Safety
British Motorcyclists’ Federation
Motor Cycle Council of New South Wales (Australia)
Tactics and Tactical Equipment Seminar (Canada)
Mr. Varnsverry has also written on developments in the field of
motorcyclists’ clothing in “Textiles for Protection” (Woodhouse
Publishing; ISBN-13:978-1-85573-921-5)
Speaking on his work in the field of CE marking of PPE and product
standards, Paul Varnsverry commented: "Consultation, dialogue,
research and understanding are all issues to be covered if product
development is to provide the client and the consumer with products
which are fit for purpose. Through this philosophy, PVA Technical File
Services strives to provide its clients with formidable levels of
service. Our clients keep coming back to us with new projects, and as
a fairly young company we are reassured by the constant stream of
referrals which we are receiving; which suggests that our approach to
business - both ours and that of our clients - is the right approach."
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