Each country and region has its own testing standards for a product, the names of these standards may be different, but most of the testing requirements for the product are similar. A product of excellent quality should be able to pass the minimum requirements (not absolutely, because there are also differences in the details of the requirements in different countries.) no matter which country it is tested by its standards.

For example, our ladder, in the EU countries and the UK, it needs to pass the EN131 standard; in the United States and some South American countries, its testing standard is ANSI, while in Australia and New Zealand, it is AS/NZS1892.1.

Under the standard, there is also a difference between third-party testing agencies, the most authoritative testing agency in Europe is undoubtedly TUV, and some other international authoritative and formal agencies are SGS, Intertek, BV, CCIC and so on.

So to sum up, it is best to choose products with EN131, ANSI, AS/NZS1892.1 certificates issued by TUV, SGS, CCIC and other institutions.

EN131 Testing Standard

Take the EN131 standard as an example to see what tests a ladder needs to pass before it can get a final certificate.

What is EN131?

EN131 is the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) harmonized standard for portable steps and ladders made of metal and certain other materials such as GRP. It covers minimum safety requirements.

There are two classifications of a standard: EN131 Professional and EN131 Non-Professional.

There are separate requirements for ladder stools (EN14183), loft ladders (EN14975), telescopic ladders (EN131-6), mobile ladders with platforms (EN131-7) and single or multi-joint ladders (EN131-4).

Here we only need to focus on the EN131-6 standard for telescopic ladders, it was updated in early 2019, the old version EN131-6:2015 has been withdrawn, if you buy or wholesale telescopic ladders now, please recognize the EN131-6:2019 standard.

Testing Overview

We often test ladders both in house and at third party certification bodies to ensure that our products are safe and durable. Take a look at what tests GOKULAD needs to pass to get the EN131-6 certificate.


Step Distance Test	Slow Descent Test
What is tested?	What is tested?
The distance between each section of the ladder steps.	Does the ladder have a mechanism to prevent injury when the ladder retracts.
How is it tested?	How is it tested?
● Use a ruler to measure the distance between the steps.	● Place the ladder vertically, and do not operate it against the wall when it is closed. ● Push the buttons on both ladder steps with your fingers.
Requirements	Requirements
The test requires the ladder step distance to be no more than 30cm.	The test requires the ladder to descend smoothly and slowly, so that people will not be injured in time to retract their hands.


Drop Test	Bending Deflection
What is tested?	What is tested?
Whether the key components of the ladder are still intact after the fall.	The distortion degree of loading of the ladder.
How is it tested?	How is it tested?
● Place the ladder 90° vertically. ● Ensure that both sides of the ladder will land and then let the ladder fall freely.	● Lay the ladder flat. ● Add weights to the ladder and gradually increase the weight to see how much the ladder bends.
Requirements	Requirements
The test requires the closure button of ladder will not collapse out after landing, because after the button is damaged, the ladder can not be function correctly.	The bending range is calculated based on the length of the ladder, and the test requires that the ladder be able to pass the normal degree of bending under its length without breaking.


Lateral Deflection	Strength Test
What is tested?	What is tested?
The distortion degree of loading of the ladder lateral side.	Weight-bearing capacity of the ladder.
How is it tested?	How is it tested?
● Place the ladder on its side. ● Add weights to the ladder lateral side and gradually increase the weight to see how much the ladder bends.	● The ladder is placed at 65 degrees to the ground and the load is applied to the middle step of the ladder. ● For non-professional ladders (ladders for home use), the test load is 229 kg; for professional ladders (ladders for work), the test load is 275 kg.
Requirements	Requirements
The bending range is calculated based on the length of the ladder, and the test requires that the ladder be able to pass the normal degree of bending at its length without breaking.	The ladder must support the test load for 1 minute; the ladder must be fully functional after the load is removed.


Pull Out Test of Rungs
What is tested?
Whether the ladder column and the steps will be separated under test load.
How is it tested?
● The test suspends the ladder on one stile while the test load is applied to the lower stile. ● The test load was 265 kg. ● The test is perfomed on a rung in the top third, lower third, and the middle.
Requirements
The ladder must support the test load without the rung brackets breaking or loosening.

DEYOU Factory Testing

Our ladders are tested and certified - for us as a manufacturer, this means product liability.
You can always contact us to confirm our patents, designs and actual certificates. We look forward to hearing from you.