Examples of the standards and directives to which WESCO products comply
In all fields, Wesco commits itself to putting products on the market which are compliant with all applicable directives and standards.
How are the standards created and applied?
1. As a result of complaints or consumer requirements, the European Union establishes decrees (with safety requirements), in collaboration with experts, for the use, production and sale of equipment.
2. AFNOR (The French Association for Standardisation) and the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) creates standards and testing methods in accordance with the decrees. Manufacturers who comply with these can guarantee safety in accordance with the law to their customers.
3. Finally, approved laboratories test the products in line with the standards. They issue the manufacturers or importers with a certificate of compliance with the standards for selling the products on the European market.
Directives
A directive is a
European Union ruling which favours harmonisation of national legislation of European Union member states. It gives the member states an objective, leaving them the choice of how they will reach this objective (laws, decrees, general principles…).
For Example: The 2005/84/CE directive regulates the use of two categories of phthalates:
- Phthalates DEHP, DBP and BBP are forbidden in all plasticised material nursery nursing toys and articles (with a concentration of over 0.1%),
- Phthalates DINP, DIDP and DNOP are forbidden in all plasticised material nursery nursing toys and articles, made for contact with the mouth (with a concentration of over 0.1%).
Standards
A standard is a set of precise requirements and testing methods to be used systematically as rules to abide by, they are guidelines to ensure that a product complies with the necessary standards.
• Toys
Toy standard EN71. This European standard is sub-divided into several parts, with specific requirements for each part:
Standards EN 71-1: Mechanical and physical properties of a toy (to avoid a part snapping off or breaking too easily, for example).
Standards EN 71-2: Flammability (to avoid flames spreading in the case of an accidental fire).
Standards EN 71-3: Migration of certain elements (the materials, dyes, and above all heavy metals, must not be harmful to children’s health).
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The EC marking that is compulsory for selling a product within the European Union gives proof of compliance of this product regarding the standards concerned.
• Beds
Standard EN716: for fixed and folding children’s beds for use in the home.
NF EN 716-1: Safety requirements (1996), mainly dimensional requirements
NF EN 716-2: Testing methods (1995), dimensional, resistance and stability tests, etc
NF EN 716-3: Folding beds (2000).
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• Cots
XPS 54 045: Safety requirements and testing methods 2003, dimensional, resistance and stability tests, etc
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• Motor skills educational equipment
Standard NF S54-300 defines the safety requirements and testing methods applicable to Motor Skills Educational Equipment.
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• Type Tests
The standards do not cover all products. In this case we ask approved laboratories to carry out type tests on our products, inspired by toy standards, furniture standards, and so on.
Useful Links:
Some Laboratories:
- SGS: An inspection, verification, testing and certification laboratory :
http://www.sgs.com/home.htm- CTBA: Wood and Furnishing Technical Centre
http://www.fcba.fr/1_le_group/uk_metiers.php