Pre-CommerciAl ProCuremenT of Innovative Personal ProtectiVe Equipment for First REsponders

The ACTIVE PCP project addresses critical shortcomings in Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for first responders, aiming to enhance their safety, operational efficiency, and adaptability in the face of evolving threats, including Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive (CBRN-E) incidents. The project leverages the Pre-Commercial Procurement (PCP) approach to drive innovation in PPE, focusing on multi-hazard scenarios and integrating advanced features such as lightweight materials, ergonomic designs, health monitoring sensors, and GPS tracking systems.Key objectives include: (a) developing harmonised technical specifications through extensive stakeholder consultations; (b) encouraging supplier participation across Europe via open market consultations and matchmaking activities; (c) advancing innovative PPE prototypes through phased R&D, including design, prototyping, and pilot testing in real-life emergency scenarios across various EU Member States.The ACTIVE PCP initiative also emphasises compliance with EU safety and procurement standards, ensuring interoperability and cross-border applicability. The project fosters collaboration between public procurers, suppliers, and researchers, creating a robust ecosystem for innovation. Planned dissemination activities, such as workshops, training sessions, and publications, aim to maximise awareness and adoption of the project outcomes.Expected impacts include improved PPE usability and reliability, reduced costs through reusable and scalable designs, and enhanced responder preparedness and effectiveness in high-risk situations. Additionally, the project will strengthen the European industrial base by validating and commercialising advanced technologies, ultimately boosting EU resilience to large-scale emergencies and disasters. The ACTIVE PCP consortium consists of strong end-users and innovation procurement experts.