On World Health Day, Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone (AMTZ), the Association of Healthcare Providers India (AHPI), and the Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AiMeD), have launched the Healthcare Textiles Processing Facility Certification Scheme. This scheme involves certifying the facilities that process healthcare textiles, including personal protective equipment (PPE), to ensure their quality.

The Healthcare Textiles Processing Facility Certification Scheme aims to ensure that healthcare textiles and PPE meet international standards for quality and safety. The certification process will include site visits, documentation reviews, and testing of samples. The certification will be valid for three years, after which the facility will need to undergo a recertification process, according to local media reports.

Experts from various healthcare organisations such as AMTZ, AHPI, and AiMeD have contributed to the development of the Healthcare Textiles Processing Facility Certification Scheme. The scheme adheres to global standards and recommendations established by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The certification scheme will focus on the processing of healthcare textiles that are reusable, as single-use textiles pose a risk to the environment and are intended for one-time use only.

Independent third-party certifying agencies will conduct the certification, which must be accredited according to the relevant international standard, ISO 17065, and approved by AMTZ. This ensures that the certifiers are competent, impartial, and consistently adhere to the certification process.

Healthcare textiles processing facilities both in India and abroad can now apply for the Healthcare Textiles Processing Facility Certification Scheme.