When we speak of “better testing” in procurement, the term can seem subjective. For some, better may mean more rigorous; for others, cheaper or faster. The key is to establish a shared criterion that works for both suppliers and buyers. At its core, better testing should ensure accountability, that buyers can confidently demonstrate that the products they purchase are genuinely fit for purpose. Without this alignment, testing risks becoming either an unnecessary expense or an unreliable safeguard.

When we speak of “better testing” in procurement, the term can seem subjective. For some, better may mean more rigorous; for others, cheaper or faster. The key is to establish a shared criterion that works for both suppliers and buyers. At its core, better testing should ensure accountability, that buyers can confidently demonstrate that the products they purchase are genuinely fit for purpose. Without this alignment, testing risks becoming either an unnecessary expense or an unreliable safeguard.

Procurement professionals are entrusted with significant responsibility. Their decisions affect not only budgets but also operational performance, safety, and public trust. Robust testing is a crucial tool that allows them to justify their choices. When a product fails in service, accountability falls squarely on procurement teams. Testing therefore needs to provide clear, practical evidence that a product will perform as expected in real-world conditions.

Historically, manufacturers bidding for public sector contracts have faced eye-watering costs for product testing. In some cases, the bill has exceeded £50,000 for 20 products, an expense that many smaller manufacturers simply cannot absorb. Such costs act as a barrier to entry, stifling competition and leaving tenders dominated by only the largest, best-funded players. This dynamic undermines innovation and may prevent the public sector from accessing better products at better value.

In contrast, the Drop Test offers a simpler, more affordable, and equally effective measure of product performance. By simulating the real stresses a bin bag encounters during use, it provides a direct and transparent indicator of strength and durability. Importantly, the Drop Test can be performed at 10% of the traditional cost, reducing the burden to just £2,000–£5,000 for the same 20 products. This makes compliance far more accessible for smaller, innovative suppliers.

Although much attention focuses on public procurement, private companies also demand accountability and performance assurance. Both sectors share the same fundamental challenge: ensuring that the products they buy deliver what they promise, without introducing unnecessary complexity or cost. By adopting practical methods such as the Drop Test, private firms can achieve the same level of confidence as public bodies, but with far greater efficiency.

Another significant step forward is recognising that a wide range of laboratories across the UK are fully capable of carrying out performance-based tests. There is no need to rely on a handful of expensive providers when others can deliver the same service at a fraction of the price. By broadening the list of approved laboratories, procurement teams can encourage competition among testers, drive down costs, and ensure greater flexibility in meeting demand.

Lower-cost, performance-focused testing also has an important side effect: it levels the playing field for manufacturers. When testing is prohibitively expensive, the market tilts in favour of established giants with deep pockets. More affordable testing opens the door for smaller, more agile manufacturers who may offer superior innovation, sustainability, or customer service. This diversity benefits not only the procurement process but also the end users who rely on high-quality products.

For too long, procurement testing has been weighed down by outdated procedures that do not reflect modern materials, technologies, or priorities. Advances in polymer science, extrusion methods, and sustainability practices mean that product design has moved forward, but testing has not kept pace. Embracing performance-based methods like the Drop Test allows procurement to catch up, ensuring testing remains relevant and aligned with contemporary needs.

The strength of the Drop Test lies not only in its practicality but also in its transparency. Unlike complex multi-test systems that are difficult for non-specialists to interpret, the Drop Test provides clear, observable results. This transparency builds trust across the supply chain: suppliers can confidently stand behind their products, procurement teams can justify their choices, and end users can feel assured of quality.

In the end, better testing laboratories are not just about cheaper services or faster results. They are about modernising procurement, reducing unnecessary barriers, and focusing squarely on fit-for-purpose performance. By adopting accessible, transparent, and cost-effective methods such as the Drop Test—and by broadening the pool of laboratories that can deliver them—both public and private procurement can achieve a more balanced, innovative, and accountable system. The result is not only fairer competition but also better products, better value, and better outcomes for all stakeholders.