Kit Recalls and BFA Kit Notices

The following brings together the BFA information on kit recalls and notices on BFA kit suspensions.

Please ensure you have suitable kit for competitions held by the region and please let us know if you have any problems via entry@southernfencing.org.uk

BFA notice (http://www.britishfencing.com/news/latest-news/?n=392)

On 7th May British Fencing announced an interim suspension in relation to Fencing Clothing supplied by SWORD PRICE FIGHTERS FENCING. This interim suspension remains in force.

 “DUELLIST”

On Wednesday 21st September a recall notice was issued by this company in relation to jackets, plastrons and breeches sourced from a manufacturer in China and BF published a Notice prepared by Duellist on its website. British Fencing announce that an interim suspension of all “Duellist” brand CEN Level 1 fencing jackets, plastrons and breeches of Chinese manufacture is now in place. Duellist have provided pictures of the labelling on their clothing to assist customers in identifying whether any such items are of from the Chinese source. See below.

British Fencing wish to make it clear that this interim suspension does not apply to Duellist CEN Level 1 clothing manufactured in France, nor to the Duellist FIE range.

In considering the testing results that have resulted in this decision British Fencing has also had to consider the potential risks to fencers posed by certain items of clothing sold by other suppliers.

An interim suspension is also imposed immediately with regard to the following items sold by:-

ENLIGHTEN EUROPE LTD t/a Enlighten Escrime Equipment

Enlighten Jacket 350 Newton CEN Level 1

ABSOLUTE FENCING GEAR USA

AF Unisex Breeches 21027 CEN Level 1

Please note that these interim suspensions only apply to British Fencing run activities (eg. competitions; academy etc.).

Duellist Fencing
Product Recall Statement
(http://www.duellistfencing.com/news-1.html)
NAME OF PRODUCTS   350n Clothing
Dear Duellist Customers
It has regrettably come to our attention that items of the Duellist 350n ‘Classic’ and ‘Evo’ range of clothing transferred over to us by the owners of Duellist* fail to meet current 350n CE standards. As part of our agreement with Duellist International ltd to manage the future of the brand, we have been clearing the existing ranges of Duellist stock on their behalf, and we accepted on good faith their and the manufacturers written assurance that the small amount of remaining clothing stock met the 350n standard. A recent test by Leon Paul, and subsequent in depth testing by ourselves at one of the FIE approved test houses has shown that garments sourced from one of Duellist’s Chinese suppliers does not meet the 350n standard
This is a matter of grave concern to us, the safety of fencers, and the quality of our products are paramount to the brand and all those involved in it, and as such we are immediately withdrawing from sale all items of 350n clothing sourced from China (Jackets/Breeches and plastrons). In addition we will be offering full refunds or exchanges to any fencers who have purchased 350n Chinese kit from ourselves since February 2011 (the Chinese sourced range contains inner wash labels in English, the French sourced range is in French), for those who bought their Duellist clothing prior to February 2011 please contact Duellist International Ltd directly on info@duellistswords.com.
While we have absolutely no evidence to suggest that the 350n ranges of Duellist clothing  were in anyway dangerous, or led to injuries of any kind during the period we or Duellist International Ltd have been selling them, we would still urge all those who purchased kit from ourselves since Feb 2011 to accept a refund or exchange. We will be emailing all those affected since Feb 2011 over the coming days to resolve the situation
We stress that no other items of the range are affected by this, all 800n kit meets the required standards, and 350n kit in the classic and Evolution ranges sourced from France greatly exceeds the requirements (481n average).
We will be issuing further statements in the near future as we look to resolve this situation as a matter of urgency, and I personally apologise to anybody who has been affected by this.
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact me regarding this matter.
Yours Sincerely
Alp Orge
(Brand Manager Duellist Fencing)
*Fitmay Fashions Ltd (Tempest) took over the sales and administration (but not ownership) of the Duellist Fencing Brand from Feb 2011. The ownership of the Duellist Brand remains with Duellist International Ltd and all products sold prior to that date are the sole responsibility of Duellist International Ltd

http://britishfencing.com/news/notices/?n=299

BRITISH FENCING STATEMENT REGARDING SWORD PRICE FIGHTERS

At the British Youth Championships (BYCs), the DT made a decision not to accept protective equipment* from SWORD PRICE FIGHTERS FENCING for that specific event. The decision was made by the DT with the appropriate delegated authority to make decisions for that specific event and time only. DT made this decision with the information they had to hand and only in the interests of young fencers’ safety. The DT also organised for equipment to be borrowed for those fencers who had turned up with this equipment.

British Fencing has asked its Safety Committee urgently to seek future assurances from Sword Price Fighters that its equipment fully complies with relevant safety standards.

British Fencing has asked the Safety Committee also to provide appropriate and urgent guidance for Competition Organisers; and to recommend further steps to be taken by British Fencing, clubs, event organisers, etc, to secure safety of equipment and clothing for fencers, acknowledging appropriate legal and insurance advice.

British Fencing

*masks were allowed following a check by British Fencing Armourers

ADDENDUM (07.05.2011)

Based on further advice received after the Board’s agreement to the above statement, British Fencing has suspended the use of this protective equipment whilst further enquiries are made, by the British Fencing Safety Committee, as to its fitness for purpose.

ADDENDUM (09.05.2011)

Further  to the Board notice on the 7th May, British Fencing has received  enquiries on club level use of Sword Price Fighter Fencing (SPFF)  equipment, and the potential insurance issues. British Fencing would  like to emphasise that this is an interim measure until we receive  further information and to assist members and clubs, we have added an  addendum to this notice which can also be viewed below:

British  Fencing has direct control and accountability over competitions it runs  itself. Other fencing activities, whilst they are authorised and  formally recognised by BF, are not within its direct control and  consequently BF is not directly accountable for them.

BF  insurance is designed to protect not just BF, but also other parties  with potential risk exposures such as regions, affiliated clubs,  registered coaches and members .

The  interim suspension announced by BF on 7 May on the use of Sword Price  Fighters protective clothing relates only to BF run activities (eg.  competitions; academy etc.).

Unless  it is ever legally proven that the SPFF kit is ineffective in relation  to safety when used whilst fencing, the insurance for such additional  parties remains in place and effective and will not be prejudiced by the  use of the clothing. There is no specific condition or exclusion under  the policy which removes cover in the event of a dispute over the  suitability of the safety equipment used.

However, under the Reasonable Precautions General Condition of the Insurance policy – “The  Insured shall take all reasonable precautions to prevent accidents and  any injury, loss, destruction or damage and shall take all reasonable  steps to observe and comply with statutory or local authority laws,  obligations and requirements.” It should be noted that “Insured” includes the other above insured parties, besides BF itself.

BF  must leave it to clubs, coaches and fencers to take their own decisions  about the use of any clothing, other than in BF activities, and would  expect this to form part of regular risk assessments.