Besides the classical back protectors and lumbar protectors provided for by EN 1621-2.2003, a new device for the protection of the central part of the back has been added.

Therefore, the protection devices will be identified as follows:

• FB: Full Back Protector – Protective device which, once worn, aims at reducing the seriousness of lesions caused by impacts in the central part of the back and in the shoulder blades area;
• CB: Central Back Protector – Protective device which, once worn, aims at reducing the seriousness of lesions caused by impacts in the central part of the back;
• LB: Lower Back Protector – Protective device which, once worn, aims at reducing the seriousness of lesions caused by impacts in the lumbar part;

As in current EN 1621-2.2003 two performance levels against impact are provided for.

Level 1 (medium peak strength <18kN and single value <24kN) and level 2 (medium peak strength <9kN and single value <12kN).

Level 2 protectors offer higher protection than level 1 protectors but may be heavier and have restrictions to their use.

Between the two standards there is a difference in the number of samples which must undergo the impact test and conditioning.

EN 1621-2.2003 (Clause 6.1) provided for the test on 3 samples, 1 of the smallest size, 1 of the medium size, and 1 of the largest size, which must be conditioned at room temperature (Clause 6.2).

A minimum of 5 impacts (Clause 6.5) evenly distributed on the protectors had to be performed.

The impact centres had to be at a distance of 90 mm: the first at (40 ± 5)mm from the border line of the protection area, the second at (60 ± 5)mm from the border line, the third in the centre of the protection area and another two in the most delicate areas.

On the contrary, in compliance with prEN 1621-2:2012 (Clause 5.1.3) the following tests are compulsory:

-          For the impact test on a device conditioned at room temperature (Clause 5.1.6.1), and differently from Clause 6.2 of EN 1621-2.2003: 1 for each size (2 samples in case of one-size products);

-          For the impact test on a device conditioned at high humidity after hydrolythic ageing (Clause 5.1.6.2): 1 in the middle size on the size range;

OPTIONAL TESTS:

-          For the impact test on a device conditioned at high temperature (Clause 5.1.6.3): 1 in the middle size of the size range;

-          For the impact test on a device conditioned at low temperature (Clause 5.1.6.4): 1 in the middle size in the size range;

The impacts to be performed on each sample by using the equipment described at point 5.1.1 are 5: 3 impacts distributed randomly on the test surface and 2 impacts on weak points identified visually (if there are more than two critical points, choose the worst).

The distance between the impact centres must be of over 50 mm, with the impact centre at a distance of at least 10 mm from the perimeter of the test area, and with the centre of the longitudinal anvil at a minimum distance of 45 mm from the test perimeter.

When the protector is tested in compliance with points 5.1.6.1 (room temperature impact test), 5.1.6.2 (wet impact test) and, if necessary, 5.1.6.3 (high temperature impact test) and/or 5.1.6.4 (low temperature impact test), the performance level of the protector is determined by the worst result of the average values obtained in each of the four test conditions.

The new standard will widen the application field by regulating not only gloves for professional use but also all those used in motorcycling activities, there included also sports and competitive motorcycling.

Indeed, all requirements will be divided into two performance levels: the user will be able to choose the PPE with a protection level which is the most suitable for the activity s/he carries out without jeopardizing comfort and dexterity.

Dolomiticert would like to sum up the main changes to requirements and test methods caused by the coming into force of the new standard:

-       “Dye fastness”: removal of the requirement;

-       “Restraint”: values of resistance of the glove from slipping off divided into two levels and change of the test cones used during the test;

-       “Tear resistance”: introduction of different minimum values for the two levels depending on the three main areas of the glove (palm, back and fourchettes);

-       “Stitching resistance”: removal of the burst test method in compliance with EN 13595-3 and difference in the minimum values of the fourchettes as against the other parts of the glove;

-       “Cut resistance”: application of the test only to the areas of the palm and back;

-       “Resistance to abrasion from impact”: placing of the test area only on the outer part of the palm;

-       “Impact attenuation protective area”: introduction of the value of minimum surface of knuckle protection for different glove sizes;

-       “Impact attenuation”: introduction of attenuation values for the two performance levels;

“Pictogram”: introduction of the level of protection of the glove (1 or 2), of the optional symbol of knuckle protection (KP) and of the year of the applied Standard under the pictogram.

Dolomiticert would like to underline the differences between the content of the new standard project and the old 1996 version. Please find them below:

-          a preface has been added to explain the idea behind the standard according to which the anchor devices are dimensioned to carry the dynamic load of a person, equipment included, while for the static test the minimum safety factor refers to two people;

-          in the part referring to the target of the standard, it is specified in a stronger way that the anchor devices the standards refers to are devised to be used by one single person and that it must be possible to remove them from the fixed structure;

-          moreover, always with reference to the target, the devices which are not within the scope of the standard are listed, for example: anchor devices to be used by more than one person, anchor devices to be used in any sports or leisure activities, equipment which complies with standards EN 516 and EN 517, elements or parts of a structure which are installed in order to use other anchor devices such as beams and structural anchor points;

-          terms and definitions are updated thanks to new examples of anchor devices which are or which are not included in this standard;

-          anchor device classes (A, B,C, E and E) have been replaced by types of anchor devices (A, B,C, E and E) in order to identify the differences among the various anchor devices in a much easier way;

-          the part regarding requirements has been rewritten in order to include and/or review the requirements for materials, resistance to corrosion, ropes/tapes, design and ergonomics;

-          also the part regarding specific requirements for the various kinds of anchor devices has been updated and integrated with the introduction of two additional tests (deformation test and integrity test after the dynamic resistance test);

-          as said, the part regarding test methods has been integrated with the two new types of test which were not required in the previous version; specifically, devices belonging to types A, B, C and D are now tested for deformation, dynamic resistance and integrity, static resistance, while type E devices are now tested for deformation, dynamic performance, post-stop suspension, and static resistance;

-          the dynamic resistance test requires the use of a testing sling made with a mountaineering dynamic rope, complying with EN 892, with 11 mm diameter, with ends made with two Bulin knots, while in the old version a polyamide cable-laid rope with 12 mm diameter with three strands was used in compliance with ISO 1140, its ends were made of 75 mm loops obtained by sealing five passage strands with lead;

-          moreover, the fall height of the 100 kg mass is now determined with a further test on the single sling, in order to evaluate the fall height needed to determine a stop peak of 9 kN, while in the previous version of the Standard the fall height was determined considering a 2.5 m fall of the mass before the devices came into action;

-          with reference to the dynamic test it is now explicitly asked (even if it is not one of the test requirements) to record the load peak on the anchor point, the deflection of the anchor device and the displacement of the anchor point;

-          the static resistance test now requires metal anchors to be subject to a load of 12 kN while for anchors containing non metal material the maximum load must be 18 kN. In the old version of the standard there was no distinction and also the maximum load value was different;

-          all static tests have been rewritten, updated and reviewed;

-          as for marking, please note that all devices must be marked to be used by one single person;

-          requirements about the information which must be provided by the manufacturer have been added and the text of the minimum information to include in the leaflet accompanying the device has been rewritten;

-          new and clearer pictures of examples of devices and test configurations have been added.

Now this grant can be easily consulted at the following address:

http://www.gazzettaufficiale.biz/atti/2012/20120079/12A03536.htm

Who may need it?

All footwear manufacturers may need it, because the standard offers a valid analysis method of the criticality of flexion all over the sole and in the part of the waist, and it can be considered a safe method to validate moulds used for the production of soles of a certain material.

How is this test carried out?

After the samples have been glued to a circular fabric belt, they are flexed with a frequency of 90 revolutions per minute on two rolls having different diameters: the motor roll (225±1.0 mm) and the bending roll (90±1,0 mm) to alternate resting and flexing as happens during footwear normal use. After carrying out a series of 50,000 cycles the samples are examined and a report is drawn up containing the number of spontaneous cracks and the features of  such cracks (such as depth and length).

The new standard EN ISO 20344:2012 has brought the following changes to test methods:

-       Annex A, addition of the new procedure of calibration of the plasticine used in the compression resistance and toe cap impact resistance tests;

-       Annex C, addition of the new table with shoe sizes in order to establish a correct correspondence between different shoe sizing systems;

-       4.1, clarification about sampling methods with the correct number of samples on which to carry out different tests;

-       5.1, clarification about test methods on ergonomic features;

-       5.4 and 5.5, addition of references to EN 12568:2010 in order to make tests on footwear and single toe caps as similar as possible;

-       5.8.8, different test methods for anti-penetration inserts made of non-metallic material, which are clearly distinguished from metallic inserts;

-       5.15.2, addition of a new test method for water dynamic penetration into footwear;

-       6.4.2 and 6.5.2, addition of test method for rubber uppers with consequent removal of references to ISO 2023;

-       6.11, removal of chromium determination method VI quoted in the old Standard and addition of compliance to the method quoted in ISO 17075;

-       withdrawal of clause 5.11, “electric insulation determination”.

The changes introduced by new EN ISO 20345:2012 are summed up in the following points:

-       5.3.5, addition of the specific clause for resistance to sliding and elimination of the previous annex A;

-       5.3.6, addition of the “harmlessness” clause to check that the footwear materials are not harmful to users;

-       5.8.1, addition of the “Design” clause for soles which contains requirements about: thickness, area with bulges and bulges rise;

-       6.2.1.1.2, addition of a different requirement for anti-penetration non metallic soles about which a distinction is drawn from the metallic ones (the same distinction is drawn also in EN 20344:2012);

-       6.2.2.3, insulating footwear must comply completely with EN 50321;

-       6.4.1, the requirement of resistance to fuel oils for soles changes from compulsory to optional;

-       Annex A, addition of hybrid footwear definition and addition of fundamental requirements for compliance with the Standard.

We hope you will find this material useful, please contact us for further information.

As you can see in the attachment, the Official Journal contains a list of the rules in force as from 16^th February  which will have to be used to determine the essential requirements provided for by the reference directive.

Moreover, we inform you that you can find the translation of the Official Journal in the language you prefer by clicking on the following link:

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/Notice.do?checktexts=checkbox&val=647553%3Acs&pos=1&page=1&lang=en&pgs=10&nbl=98&list=647553%3Acs%2C629287%3Acs%2C625725%3Acs%2C576506%3Acs%2C574534%3Acs%2C568734%3Acs%2C555940%3Acs%2C554247%3Acs%2C548424%3Acs%2C524932%3Acs%2C&hwords=89%252F686%257E&action=GO&visu=%23texte

For further information, please contact us as soon as possible.

We hope you will find this information useful.

Dolomiticert means more and more compliance to UIAA: by applying the strict standards required by the International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation, the Longarone lab obtained an extension of the accreditation for accessory cords, mountaineering tapes, energy absorbing systems, snow anchors and braking devices.

Namely, the reference standards are: Accessory cord UIAA 102, Tape UIAA 103, Energy absorbing systems (SYS) UIAA 128, Snow anchors UIAA 154 and Braking device UIAA 129.

In September, with the completion of the procedure for mountaineering ropes, which is now being finalized, Dolomiticert will be able to issue test reports in compliance with all the UIAA standards in force.

As for the devices for protection against falls from a height, both for work and mountaineering, it is important to underline that Dolomiticert has all the equipment, the expertise and the accreditations to issue test reports in compliance with the European standards and, if necessary, to issue the relevant CE certificates in compliance with standard 89/686.