{"id":10364,"date":"2021-08-25T11:59:17","date_gmt":"2021-08-25T03:59:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsbites.hktdc.com\/?p=10364"},"modified":"2023-03-23T10:53:41","modified_gmt":"2023-03-23T02:53:41","slug":"inspection-protocols-for-surgical-masks-and-respirators","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsbites.hktdc.com\/covid-19\/inspection-protocols-for-surgical-masks-and-respirators\/","title":{"rendered":"Inspection Protocols for Surgical Masks and Respirators"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"10364\" class=\"elementor elementor-10364\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-fd54b22 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"fd54b22\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-db576b7\" data-id=\"db576b7\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-844d514 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"844d514\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, importers the world over have experienced the pinch of travel disruptions, lockdowns, and a general decrease in demand.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-57edb57 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"57edb57\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-d773e03\" data-id=\"d773e03\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-db7900b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"db7900b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Having said that, the demand for <a href=\"https:\/\/sourcing.hktdc.com\/en\/Product-Search\/surgical%20masks\/1?ref_source=newsbites\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">surgical masks<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/sourcing.hktdc.com\/en\/Product-Search\/respirators\/1?sort=BEST_MATCH&amp;ref_source=newsbites\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">respirators<\/a> has skyrocketed in both the medical community and among individuals. In Hong Kong, for example, you\u2019d be hard-pressed to find a single person who doesn\u2019t wear a face mask when they step out of their home.<\/p><p>As importers of masks and respirators look to ramp up production, they must maintain quality benchmarks and comply with mandatory certification standards, such as the ASTM F2100 standard for surgical masks. In addition to product testing, companies must have strong inspection protocols to minimize the risk of costly product recalls and longer lead times, thereby protecting their bottom line and brand reputation.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-54ef63f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"54ef63f\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-33cf267\" data-id=\"33cf267\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fbc5533 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"fbc5533\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">1. Surgical masks and respirators are not the same<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-c94a956 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"c94a956\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-42c5487\" data-id=\"42c5487\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2159f62 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2159f62\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Before we discuss the inspection angle, it is important to distinguish between the masks and respirators.<\/p><p>Masks are made to act as barriers to splashes or aerosols (such as the moisture from a sneeze), and they fit loosely to the face. Respirators, on the other hand, are made to filter out airborne particles such as viruses and bacteria and to create a tight seal around the mouth and nose.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7abb638 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"7abb638\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3e88d4c\" data-id=\"3e88d4c\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-de0dc33 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"de0dc33\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"364\" src=\"https:\/\/newsbites.hktdc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/3-ply-surgical-mask-600x364.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-10510\" alt=\"3 ply disposable face mask cut, with inner material sections.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/newsbites.hktdc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/3-ply-surgical-mask-600x364.jpg 600w, https:\/\/newsbites.hktdc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/3-ply-surgical-mask.jpg 759w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-641c10c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"641c10c\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e46793e\" data-id=\"e46793e\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1bb58b3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1bb58b3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>A 3-ply surgical mask consists of 3 main layers:<\/p><ul><li><strong> An outer<\/strong> hydrophobic non-woven fabric layer, which repels water, blood, and body fluids<\/li><li><strong> A middle<\/strong> melt-blown filter layer that is designed to filter bacteria<\/li><li><strong> An inner<\/strong> hydrophilic non-woven layer, which absorbs water, sweat, and spits<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4eed370 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4eed370\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-444477e\" data-id=\"444477e\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-60574ed elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"60574ed\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>A respirator consists of 4 main layers.<\/p><ul><li><strong> Two outer layers<\/strong> on either side of the respirator is a protective nonwoven fabric between 20 and 50 g\/m2 density to create a barrier both against the outside environment and, on the inside, against the wearer\u2019s own exhalations.<\/li><li><strong> A pre-filtration non-woven layer<\/strong>, which can be as dense as 250 g\/m2.<\/li><li><strong> A high-efficiency melt-blown nonwoven filter<\/strong> is the last layer<\/li><\/ul><p>Respirators provide less ventilation than masks. The average individual, who is not trained in how to utilize them, should never wear a respirator and opt for a surgical mask instead.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-9996c97 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"9996c97\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-46c7117\" data-id=\"46c7117\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bee0b2c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"bee0b2c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">2. Quality benchmarks for masks and respirators<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-873d86f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"873d86f\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6e8df8a\" data-id=\"6e8df8a\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dd77586 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"dd77586\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>There are so many things that can go wrong with masks and respirators during the production cycle. Needless to say, the stakes are high during a pandemic like COVID-19 and a failure to meet quality benchmarks can put populations at risk.<\/p><p>Here are five of the most important things that third-party inspectors (TPIs) look for in masks and respirators:<\/p><ol><li>Bacteria Filtration Efficiency \u2013 the device must be able to catch the percentage of bacteria it is supposed to<\/li><li>Particle Filtration Efficiency \u2013 the device must be able to filter the size of particle it\u2019s supposed to<\/li><li>Breathing Resistance \u2013 the device must hold its shape, while also providing adequate ventilation to the user<\/li><li>Splash resistance \u2013 ensuring that the device cannot be penetrated and contaminate the wearer<\/li><li>Flammability \u2013 the device must be flame resistant<\/li><\/ol><p>There are other product attributes that are important, such as the size of respirators and the durability of ear loops on masks. However, the five benchmarks above are the most critical for consumer safety.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7a3c061 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"7a3c061\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-98ebfd3\" data-id=\"98ebfd3\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2674e98 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2674e98\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">3. Raw Material Incoming Check<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-670913b elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"670913b\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4c28e41\" data-id=\"4c28e41\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-53a652f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"53a652f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Before you begin production on your masks and\/or respirators, you need to ensure that you have the right raw materials. TPIs are often employed for this purpose. A strong raw material incoming check allows you to streamline production, reducing the risks of costly wastage and delayed shipments.<\/p><p>For instance, if the elastic used to make the ear loops around your masks stretches out too easily then they won\u2019t provide the user with the best fit. Even if this doesn\u2019t put the user at risk of infection, it will affect your brand reputation and reduce the likelihood of repeat business.<\/p><p>When it comes to respirators that are used in high-risk medical settings, they have to fit tighter than masks. If the metallic strip attached to the top of the respirator isn\u2019t malleable enough to fit around the user\u2019s nose or strong enough to stay in position, this would be classified as a critical defect, rendering your product unusable and hazardous.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-80da333 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"80da333\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-9423208\" data-id=\"9423208\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b67da54 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b67da54\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">4. IPI and DUPRO<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-0723c64 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"0723c64\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-363c050\" data-id=\"363c050\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5f67c6d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5f67c6d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Even after you have sourced the correct raw materials, you may run into issues further down the production cycle. This is where a TPI can step in with Initial Production Checks (IPIs) and During Production Check (DURPROs). IPIs are conducted when 10-20% of your inventory has been produced, whereas DUPROs are typically conducted when 40-50% of your goods are produced.<\/p><p>Imagine if you discovered that your masks don\u2019t provide adequate splash resistance to the user. An IPI can help you identify the source of this problem and implement corrective measures before you are deep into the production cycle, where reworks are harder and wastage is more costly. If, for example, your melt blown filter is not dense enough, you can rework your design and production methods to ensure that it provides the protection that it\u2019s supposed to.<\/p><p>Let\u2019s say that you fix the issue with splash resistance, but then you discover that a certain percentage of your masks don\u2019t provide adequate ventilation. A DUPRO can help you diagnose and isolate this issue. If you find that this is because the hydrophobic outer layer is too thick, you can adjust thickness so your final batch of masks will be breathable, while providing adequate protection for the wearer.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-dc2075d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"dc2075d\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8358abe\" data-id=\"8358abe\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-de8aa90 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"de8aa90\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Recommendations from Bureau Veritas:<\/strong><\/p><p>Ensuring that your masks and respirators meet quality specifications and certification standards is critical. Find a trusted third-party certification body to qualify you the required standards is crucial for accessing the global &amp; local markets.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-66922c7 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"66922c7\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ae815c2\" data-id=\"ae815c2\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-806ae49 elementor-widget elementor-widget-author-box\" data-id=\"806ae49\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"author-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-author-box\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div  class=\"elementor-author-box__avatar\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/newsbites.hktdc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Stephen-LIM-600x600.png\" alt=\"Picture of Stephen LIM\" loading=\"lazy\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-author-box__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-author-box__name\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tStephen LIM\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-author-box__bio\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Director, Business Development of Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a3c479c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a3c479c\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-043c3a3\" data-id=\"043c3a3\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b59de62 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b59de62\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Content contributor: Bureau Veritas CPS HK (All rights reserved)<\/p><p>Bureau Veritas is perfectly positioned to help get you to get complaints, high-quality goods to market, and meet growing demand. With its inspection services\u2014combined with market-leading testing and certification. If you have any comments and\/or questions about this article, please visit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cps.bureauveritas.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.cps.bureauveritas.com<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e0a9844 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e0a9844\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-0c51107\" data-id=\"0c51107\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2257219 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"2257219\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-b0a1e53 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"b0a1e53\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-d2410c8\" data-id=\"d2410c8\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9ad205f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"9ad205f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/sourcing.hktdc.com\/?ref_source=newsbites\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"880\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/newsbites.hktdc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Start-sourcing-at-hktdc.com-Sourcing-.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-9447\" alt=\"Start sourcing at hktdc.com Sourcing\u00a0\" srcset=\"https:\/\/newsbites.hktdc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Start-sourcing-at-hktdc.com-Sourcing-.png 880w, https:\/\/newsbites.hktdc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Start-sourcing-at-hktdc.com-Sourcing--600x136.png 600w, https:\/\/newsbites.hktdc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Start-sourcing-at-hktdc.com-Sourcing--768x175.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 880px) 100vw, 880px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, importers the world over have experienced the pinch of travel disruptions, lockdowns, and a general decrease in demand. &hellip; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":10394,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[43,376],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10364","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-covid-19","category-medical-healthcare"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.7 - 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