Safety Footwear Quality and Product Assurance

We have invested heavily in our own laboratory which will offer us a far greater opportunity to test during product development and beyond. This compliments the certification and due diligence testing regime which is already well established.

The United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) is the sole body recognised by Government for the assessment and verification of testing laboratories against international standards. Accreditation by UKAS demonstrates Arco's competence, impartiality, and capability, and helps to underpin the credibility of testing services

Our five-step product assurance process provide absolute confidence in our product range. Customers can be assured that Arco products will undergo a thorough sampling, approval, and testing regime throughout its life. Our manufacturers undergo quality and ethical audits, and we only work with vendors who share our standards.

Step One - Supplier Evaluation Process

Our supply chain for Arco products is assessed and monitored by an independent notified body, to ensure compliance is maintained to ethical and quality standards.

Step Two - Product Development Process

So that we can monitor the development of new or re-sourced own brand products, we have in place a three-tier sampling procedure throughout the development process which includes inspection of:

• Approval samples
• Pre-production samples
• Production samples

Arco is a global business. At our Asia office in Xiamen, China we have an in-house team who work with colleagues from the UK to carry out inspections against detailed product specifications and Acceptable Quality Limits (AQL) requirements. Similar inspections are also completed at other international and UK sources of supply. Products will also be tested in our in-house laboratory.

Step Three - Production Verification Process

Pre-shipment inspections are carried out prior to products being despatched from the manufacturer, either by the vendor's own quality team or by our own representatives. All Arco goods received at our National Distribution Centre and our Clothing Centre undergo Goods Receipt Conformity Testing and are inspected and tested to verify there has been no deterioration of product quality during shipment and to ensure conformity to specification.

Step Four - Performance Testing Process

All products meet the relevant European Standards and to ensure the documentation is in place and recorded, we undertake an intensive regime of Due Diligence Conformity Testing throughout the year. Arco products are tested in our SATRA Accredited Product Assurance laboratory or by an independent ISO 17025 approved laboratory. If a product does not meet the required standards, then we ensure that the batch is quarantined and products do not reach customers.

Step Five - Market Performance Evaluation Process

Whilst our customer research tells us that our customers are confident in the quality of our products, we do from time to time have customer returns. We have a comprehensive procedure to ensure the analysis of faulty returns from our customers which enables us to work with vendors to continuously improve our product range.

The Arco Product Assurance laboratory contains a complete set of test equipment to allow tests to be carried out to the requirements of EN 20345. This specifies basic requirements for safety footwear used for general purpose. Additional optional elements may also be tested such as particular hazards on specific flooring. The standard includes tests against mechanical risks, slip resistance, thermal risks and ergonomic behaviour. Testing is carried out in accordance with ISO 20344 the standard specifying methods for testing footwear designed as PPE.

Browse our innovative range of safety footwear today. Offering a wide selection of trusted brands, innovative materials and in-house designs, you’ll find the best safety boots and shoes for your working environment here at Arco.