The market for health and safety products has shown steady growth in recent years, according to the second edition of the “Health and Safety Products Market” recently published by AMA Research. The report investigates the recent and current trends in the overall market for health and safety products, including comment on key influences and future prospects, in addition to a specific analysis of the main product sectors.

Despite its maturity, the market for health and safety products in non-domestic applications has experienced reasonably good levels of growth over the last 3 years – with 2009 set to experience strong growth as a result of the impact of ‘swine flu’ on the sector. Hygiene and PPE products dominate the market - hygiene products are the largest sector with an estimated 44% market share. Levels of cleanliness and hygiene remain a top priority, particularly within the health and food industries. High profile media interest in outbreaks of MRSA and epidemiologic diseases such as swine flu are likely to see that this sector remains central to the health and safety market.

Defining ‘PPE’ products is difficult, but clothing and footwear are estimated at 44% of the sector, with respiratory and hand protection accounting for a further 32%. The PPE sector has benefited from an increase in demand following changes in legislation and the persistent threat of foot and mouth and bird flu outbreaks, while the performance of hygiene products has been influenced by the increased awareness of health and hygiene issues in both public and private sector organisations, with skin care a growing sector. In comparison, the first aid products sector has experienced low growth over the last three years. While the safety signs sector had performed unusually well in 2007, due to the enforcement of anti-smoking legislation, its growth has slowed significantly.

The report indicates that periods of growth have been triggered by the enforcement of new regulations, changes to existing regulations and exceptional circumstances such as natural disasters and outbreaks of animal and human related diseases. In the longer term, price competition has been intensifying due to the gain in share of unbranded and own brand products and the increasing use of lower-value disposable items, while value growth has been supported by product development, with a general trend towards higher value products offering enhanced features in terms of comfort and protection.

Distribution remains relatively fragmented reflecting a wide range of end use applications, though the general ‘industrial distributors’ and H&S specialists together account for around 50% share. AMA’s report also provides an insight into the future prospects for the market for health and safety products. Up to 2013, the annual growth rate is likely to be slightly higher compared to the 2003-2008 period, as new regulations and further ‘outbreaks’ will provide stimulus to the market.