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When we think about uniforms for firefighters, police officers, or healthcare workers, we rarely consider how complicated it is to buy them. Behind every protective garment lies a complex process involving procurement laws, technical specifications, suppliers, testing laboratories, and the workers who will wear the clothing. Experts say that public procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE) and uniforms is far more challenging than it appears.
These challenges were discussed in a recent ECPC2027 webinar PPE procurement management: challenges and opportunities by Professor Inga Dāboliņa from Riga Technical University and Professor Ada Traumann from TTK University of Applied Sciences. The webinar is part of a series leading up to the European Conference of Protective Clothing (ECPC2027), which will take place at TTK University of Applied Sciences in May 2027.
A complicated system
According to Professor Inga Dāboliņa procurement of uniforms involves many stakeholders: manufacturers, distributors, researchers, public institutions, and end users. This makes the process complex from the start.
Procurement specialists are usually experts in legal procedures and tender rules but often lack technical knowledge about textiles. “They are specialists in law, not in textiles,” Dāboliņa explained. As a result, technical requirements for clothing may be defined without sufficient understanding of materials, comfort, or garment construction.
Slow procedures in a fast-moving industry
Public procurement procedures can take one or two years to complete. During that time, textile technologies and materials may evolve significantly.
Dāboliņa noted that by the time a procurement process finishes, new fabrics or improved garment designs may already exist. Yet tenders often rely on older specifications, meaning the final uniforms may not reflect the latest innovations.
The problem with technical specifications
During the webinar, Professor Ada Traumann presented results from a survey of suppliers and procurement specialists about tender documentation. The study showed that specifications often contain unclear or incomplete information. Important product details may be difficult to find, while vague descriptions such as “soft” or “warm” create confusion. Technical drawings are also frequently missing.
Traumann explained that suppliers often struggle with unclear wording such as “equivalent or better,” which leaves room for interpretation and uncertainty. In some cases, the required materials or colours may not even exist on the market.
Testing and ergonomics
Protective clothing must perform well in demanding conditions, yet ergonomic testing is often limited. Dāboliņa pointed out that field tests with real users are essential, but feedback from such tests is not always systematically collected.
Toward better procurement
Both speakers emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between researchers, suppliers, and public institutions. Prof Traumann suggested developing a unified structure for technical specifications to make documentation clearer. Prof Dāboliņa highlighted the importance of involving textile experts throughout the procurement process and supporting joint projects between industry and research institutions.
Ultimately, ensuring high-quality protective uniforms requires more than simply purchasing garments—it requires cooperation, expertise, and procurement systems that keep pace with innovation in the textile industry.
The webinar is available to watch in full HERE.
The next webinar in the series: Inclusive Firefighter Protective Clothing will take place on April 10, 2026. Speakers include Jemma Forgie, Josephine Bolaji, and Jackqee Qiu, webinar is moderated by Professor Ada Traumann. Register for the webinar HERE.
Learn more about the ECPC2027 conference and the webinar series: https://ecpc2027.ee and ECPC LinkedIn
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