Product Standards

In 2018, together with the Product Advisory Council (PAC) and the International Society of Wheelchair Professionals (ISWP), we developed an evaluation rubric for manual wheelchairs and accessories. This enables objective comparison across similar products and establishes a minimum standard for quality. Since the first invitation to bid (ITB) in 2018, 18 products have been competitively selected for inclusion in the CLASP catalog.

Our approach is informed by global best practices. The World Health Organization’s Global Cooperation on Assistive Technology (GATE) initiative provides leadership on service and procurement guidelines, and we use the Priority Assistive Products List (APL) to guide product selection.

We continue to expand the catalog by sourcing products based on identified market needs and on a case-by-case basis. For more information about product specifications, see the World Health Organization’s Assistive Product Specifications.

Product applications are reviewed by the Product Advisory Council (PAC), a peer-nominated group of clinical, technical, and wheelchair-user experts from around the world. Formed with guidance from ISWP, the PAC evaluates products based on criteria such as:

• Manufacturing and quality standards, including ISO 7176 or equivalent certification
• Product specifications and usability
• Market potential

In some cases, products that have not undergone the full PAC review process are included from trusted suppliers with proven manufacturing standards and product quality.

If you have any questions regarding the PAC, please email info@clasphub.org.