About ISEA

ISEA, the International Safety Equipment Association, is the association for personal protective equipment and technologies – equipment and systems that enable people to do work in hazardous environments.  Its member companies are world leaders in the design, manufacture, testing and application of protective clothing and equipment used in factories, construction sites, hospitals and clinics, farms, schools, laboratories, emergency response and in the home.  For more than 75 years, ISEA has set the standard for personal protective technologies, supporting and promoting the business interests of its member companies, united in the goal of protecting the health and safety of people worldwide.
 
Included in the association are products and technologies for:

• protection of workers against impact, cuts and abrasions, chemical and biological agents, noise, radiation and thermal hazards and electricity;
• detection, analysis, classification and measurement of hazards;
• early warning to workers, and warning to others of the presence of workers;
• mitigation of the effects of accidental exposure, such as first aid, emergency eyewash and showers.

These include equipment for head, eye and face, respiratory, hearing, hand and fall protection; high visibility apparel and headwear; environmental monitoring instruments; emergency eyewash and shower equipment; first aid kits, protective apparel; ergonomic protective equipment, respiratory protective escape devices and personal hydration systems.

ISEA is a recognized leader in the development of safety equipment standards, in the US and around the world.  It works with Congress and government agencies to influence the policy makers whose decisions affect the industry.  It is a forum for information sharing and industry action, providing market insight and promoting the use of personal safety equipment at work.  
 
Since 1933, the association has been dedicated to the pursuit of its mission:

The mission of ISEA is to support and promote the common business interests of its member companies. ISEA member companies are united in the goal of protecting the health and safety of people worldwide exposed to hazardous and potentially harmful environments.

The association provides the forum through which its members can work to:

• promote the standardization of safety equipment,
• represent the industry's interests before government bodies, and interpret government actions to the industry,
• collect and disseminate information about the industry,
• maintain links to other organizations in the safety industry worldwide,
• promote the proper use of personal protective equipment as essential to worker safety and health.

Read the 2010 ISEA Annual Report

Read the Strategic Plan for 2011 and 2012

Organizational Structure

ISEA takes its direction from its member companies, and is organized for flexibility and maximum participation.  Voting membership is limited to manufacturers, and suppliers, distributors, test labs and other service providers are eligible for associate membership.

Member companies may join one or more product groups, allowing them to actively participate in programs and standards development that focus on product-specific issues and needs. Each company has one vote on any matter that comes before a product group, and one vote on any matter before the entire association.

Representatives of member companies are active on a number of committees that address issues important to the safety equipment industry, and guide the association's activities. These cover areas such as government relations, standards policy and planning, marketing and communications, risk management and education.

Overall association policy and direction is set by a nine-member Board of Trustees. Board members are elected by the entire membership, and serve staggered three-year terms. The chairman of the Board, vice chairman of the Board and immediate past chairman are also elected by the membership.

All association activities are implemented by a full-time professional staff.