Why do sterile dressings even have an expiry date?
Sterility is a guarantee with a time limit, not a permanent property of the material. Manufacturers run shelf-life studies to determine how long the packaging and material stay reliably sterile and effective, provided the packaging stays unopened, undamaged and dry. Nothing dramatic happens the moment the date passes, quality simply declines step by step: adhesives lose their grip, gauze can start sticking together, and the sterility guarantee no longer holds. That is why the date on the individual item matters, not just the date printed on the kit lid, loose components can carry a different expiry date than the kit as a whole.
Which parts run out first?
Not everything in your kit ages at the same pace. Antiseptic wipes are usually first in line: the moisture inside evaporates slowly through the packaging, even while sealed. Burn gel and hydrogel dressings follow shortly after, the gel can thicken and lose its cooling effect. Plasters generally last a bit longer, but the adhesive layer dries out over time and stops sticking exactly when you need it most. Sterile compresses, gauze and bandages tend to last longest, as long as the packaging stays intact. Do not assume one date on the lid covers everything inside.
A twice-yearly check, not an afterthought
Dutch working conditions law, the Arbowet, requires every employer to organise effective first aid provisions, including sufficient and suitable supplies within reach (Article 15 Arbowet). The law does not fix an exact interval, but Het Oranje Kruis, the Dutch first aid authority, applies a practical rule of thumb: check both the contents and the expiry dates every six months. In higher-risk environments, think workshops, construction sites or kitchens, checking more often is a sensible idea. Assign this task to a specific first aid officer or prevention employee. Without a clear owner, the check quietly slips, everyone assumes someone else is handling it.
A practical step-by-step check
1. Grab the contents list for the kit, usually printed on the inside of the lid.
2. Go through every item for its own expiry date, not just the date on the outside.
3. Inspect the packaging: tears, stains, moisture or discolouration mean immediate replacement, regardless of the date.
4. Restock anything expired, damaged or used.
5. Note the check date and the next check date on the label or control card inside the kit.
6. Log briefly who did the check and what was replaced, useful for an audit or after an incident.
Restock, or replace the whole kit?
In most cases restocking is the logical choice: individual items that expired or were used get replaced, and the kit itself stays in service. It is the fastest and most cost-effective route, and exactly why refill sets are sold per component.
A full replacement makes more sense when the kit itself is damaged or dirty, when a large share of the contents turns out expired at once, or when it is simply no longer clear what is inside and since when. In that case a new, fully stocked kit is quicker sorted than hunting down loose parts one by one.
De Groene Koffer stocks both options side by side: individual refill sets for the six-monthly check, and complete first aid kits and boxes for when a full replacement is the smarter move. That way your first aid stock stays up to standard without ordering more than is actually needed.