RAL-GZ 430 10 Scool Furniture 2022The title of your publication

Quality and Testing Regulations for School Furniture

Quality Assurance

RAL-GZ 430/10

Dated: January 2022

Editor

RAL Deutsches Institut für Gütesicherung und Kennzeichnung e. V.

Fränkische Straße 7

53229 Bonn

Tel.: (+49) 228 68895-0

Fax: (+49) 228 68895-430

E-Mail: RAL-Institut@RAL.de

Internet: www.RAL.de

Reprinting, even in parts or extracts, is not permitted. All rights, including those of translation into other languages, are reserved by RAL.

© 2022, RAL, Bonn

Quality and Testing

Regulations for

School Furniture

Quality Assurance

RAL-GZ 430/10

Deutsche Gütegemeinschaft

Möbel e. V.

Friedrichstraße 13 - 15

90762 Fürth

Tel.: +49 911 950 999 80

Fax: +49 911 950 999 850

E-Mail: dgm@dgm-moebel.de

Internet: www.dgm-moebel.de

These Quality and Testing Regulations have been established by RAL Deutsches Institut für Gütesicherung und Kennzeichnung e. V. (RAL German Institute for Quality Assurance and Labelling) under the principles for quality labelling in a recognition process together with expert groups and responsible authorities

Bonn, January 2022

RAL Deutsches Institut für Gütesicherung und Kennzeichnung e. V.

Foreword to the Furniture Quality Assurance RAL-GZ 430

RAL-GZ 430 has been the “gold standard” for good furniture quality for more than half a century. However, its contents require constant adaptation in order to meet the needs of changing consumer requirements on the one hand and technical as well as social developments on the other. Standards, laws, and other recognised rules of technology are constantly changing. They are an essential part of RAL-GZ 430, which in its quality requirements, however, often goes beyond normative basic requirements.

With the claim of a holistic quality standard for furniture, RAL-GZ 430 includes in testable form the topics of processing quality, utility and comfort, product safety, healthy living as well as sustainability in product design and material selection.

The previously proven requirements and test methods have been adopted largely unchanged in this new edition of the RAL. In detail, however, changes, updates and adaptations were necessary, based on the experience in dealing with this set of rules and due to changes in standards which are referenced in this RAL.

As the person responsible for the editorial processing of the results of the DGM working groups, I would like to express my special thanks to the staff of these working groups as well as to the editorial team of the DGM. Without the dedicated cooperation and competent contributions of the voluntary DGM working group participants, further development and updating of RAL-GZ 430 would not have been possible.

Reimund Heym Head of Technology and Standardisation

It all started with RAL-GZ 430. It is the basis for the “Golden M” certification, which focused on quality, function, and environmental compatibility early on. It was and still is a matter of consumer protection.

I am all the more pleased that the Deutsche Gütegemeinschaft Möbel e. V. recognised early on that quality, and thus durability, is an essential part of sustainability. Various certification offers in this area followed, whether it was climate neutrality or emission measurements of the products. Then, in 2019, very consistently, the Advisory Board for Sustainability was founded to meet the everincreasing pressure for change, which was also of a legislative nature. Today, sustainability is no longer a trend, nor is it a megatrend, but a must, an imperative.

We need to recognise that companies are part of the environment and part of society, that we are all part of a system with interdependencies, no matter what we do or don’t do. Sustainability management is a journey that never ends for companies. With its various certifications, the DGM offers companies goals and intermediate destinations for this journey, and thus also offers the end-consumer reliable information on the subject of sustainability.

With this in mind, I am honoured to be able to shape the future with the wonderful people on the Advisory Board and I look forward to continued constructive discussions leading to results for the good of all.

Dr Susanne Steinhauer Chairwoman Advisory Board for Sustainability

1. Area of Application

These Quality and Testing Regulations apply to the condition of school furniture that may be labelled with the RAL quality mark. All legal regulations must be observed as a matter of principle. In addition, quality assured furniture must meet the requirements as defined below. All standards relating to the scope of these Quality and Testing Regulations shall be consulted as well

Only the most recent versions of standards or their relevant replacements are valid. The requirements take into account as standard climate according to DIN 50014 a temperature of 23° C and a relative humidity of 50% and apply to furniture in new condition.

Proper transport and professional assembly of the products are assumed.

2. Quality and Testing Regulations

The basic requirements for quality assured furniture are regulated by the relevant standards and guidelines of the Quality and Testing Regulations, compliance with which is mandatory as a prerequisite for initial testing according to Section 3.1.

Furniture that contains functional and constructional elements not included in RAL-GZ 430 must conform to current technological standards.

3. Monitoring

Monitoring is divided as follows:

• Initial testing

• Internal quality control

• External quality control

• Repeat testing

• Testing and monitoring report / Approval license

• Testing costs

• Inspectors

3.1. Initial testing

Passing the initial test is one of the requirements for the award and use of the quality mark of the Quality Association. Initial testing is carried out in the production facilities of the applicant. As part of this assessment, random laboratory test samples are taken from ongoing production by the commissioned third-party inspector. If the applicant can provide test certificates for supplied products or materials, the test procedure is reduced. It is, however,

important that these documents (test certificates may not be older than 1 year) are based on the current technological standards and the tests were carried out by competent and neutral testing institutes

3.2. Internal quality control

Ongoing internal quality control, which can be reproduced at any time, is mandatory for all quality mark users. Users must carefully record the results of internal quality controls, keep them for at last 5 years and present them to the appointed inspector for inspection upon request within the scope of external quality control procedures.

3.3. External quality control

In order to ensure the consistent quality of quality assured products, external quality control is carried out every 2 years on the premises of the quality mark user. Within the first 3 years of awarding the quality mark/membership, external quality control is carried out annually. This test covers the inspection of the results of all quality control measures (e. g. internal quality control, test reports from competent, neutral testing institutes) and the inspection of the proper manufacturing of “quality assured school furniture”.

3.4. Repeat testing of external quality control

If deficiencies in the quality assurance are detected during external quality control measures, the Quality Committee can order a repetition of the test, whereby the type, content and scope of this test are determined by the Quality Committee of Deutsche Gütegemeinschaft Möbel

e. V. Should the repeat test also conclude with a negative result, the Quality Committee may, in agreement with the Executive Board, take further measures in accordance with Section 11.5 of the Implementing Regulations for the Award and Use of the Quality Mark

3.5. Test and monitoring report / Approval license

The contracted external inspectors must draw up corresponding test reports on the tests and quality control procedures carried out; the applicant or quality mark user each receive copies of said reports.

Based on the passed tests, the DGM office issues an approval license for the furniture programs listed therein for a certain term.

3.6. Testing costs

The applicant or quality mark user must bear all arising testing or monitoring costs.

3.7. Inspectors

The Quality Association appoints suitable, expert testing institutes to carry out tests and monitoring measures.

Institutes entrusted with this task must prove their identity to the applicant or quality mark user by submitting a written identification before starting their work.

4. Sustainability

Sustainability is to be understood as a development that is ecologically compatible, socially just and economically efficient.

Important in this context is a long product life, which can only be achieved through high quality, which contributes significantly to saving resources and which is therefore an essential part of sustainable economic activity. Another aspect of sustainability is the consideration of social impacts.

Sustainability as well as the environment and personal health are particularly important to consumers today. In close cooperation with leading testing institutes and taking into account more recent specifications of the Federal Environment Agency, the requirements were revised and adapted to the latest scientific findings.

These requirements apply to school furniture as purchasable by consumers in furniture stores. Manufacturers must ensure that all supplied materials (including those from abroad) comply with the statutory European and German regulations (e. g. Chemicals Act, Banned Chemicals Ordinance and Ordinance on Hazardous Substances, REACH POP) as well as additional DGM requirements.

In case of mandatory normative, legal, safety-relevant as well as contractual specifications regarding the use of materials, substances and requirements, the effects on the requirements according to RAL-GZ 430, especially in the contract sector, are not taken into consideration.

Initial and monitoring tests are to be carried out according to Point 3

4.1. Protection of health

The preparations (paints, adhesives, stains, coatings, etc.) must not contain substances of the following categories as formulation components:

Substances according to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP Regulation):

Categories Carcinogenic 1A and 1B, Mutagenic 1A and 1B, Toxic to reproduction 1A and 1B

a) Sensitising substances according to the Technical Rule for Hazardous Substances (TRGS) 907 and the EC Regulation 1272/2008, Annex VI

b) Substances which are of very high concern for other reasons, and which have been included in the list (so-called candidate list 1) established in accordance with REACH Article 59(1)

c) Acutely toxic (poisonous) of the category Acute Tox. 1 or Acute Tox. 2

d) Toxic to specific target organs of the category STOT SE 1, STOT SE 2, STOT RE 1, or STOT RE 2

Excluded from these regulations are:

a) Process-related, technically unavoidable impurities that are below the classification limits for mixtures.

b) Monomers or additives that react to form polymers or are chemically bonded (covalently) into the plastic during plastic production if their residual concentrations are below the classification limit for mixtures.

4.1.1. Requirements for test samples

The examination in test chambers can be carried out both as whole-body tests and as component tests. The selection of test samples is to be agreed between the testing institute and the manufacturer and is to be carried out in such a way that all model variants awarded the quality mark are represented by the test

4.1.2. Test material

The final products falling within the area of application differ in shape, materials and the number of materials used. Therefore, in each individual case, the test procedure and the selection of test samples must be determined by the testing institute responsible for the surveillance test in consultation with the manufacturer.

For furniture made of wood and wood-based materials with a three-dimensional surface, there are two ways of testing:

a) Whole-body testing, especially for small furniture, chairs, etc.

b) Component testing, especially for modular furniture and furniture programs with similar components.

4.1.2.1. Whole-body testing

The product to be tested must be taken directly from current production. Supplied parts may not be older than 10 days. A deviation from this specification is permissible if the manufacturer proves that individual supplied parts used in the normal production process are regularly older than 10 days.

1 Link to the candidate list of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH): https://echa.europa.eu/de/candidate-list-table

Immediately after removal from production, the product must be placed in airtight packaging; box furniture must be packed in closed state

Note:

During component testing, it is permissible to use the following calculation formula to extrapolate the total concentration of complete products consisting of known area segments of the tested components, based on the established concentrations of volatile organic compounds of the individual components. The proportionate areas of the total product must be calculated for each component and entered into the formula with the emission values determined:

Ccalc. = Calculated total concentration for complete product in µg/m³

n = Number of components tested

i = Compendent index

Ai (%) = Area share of the i-th component in %

Ci = Concentration of the i-th component in µg/m³

This method can be foregone if none of the tested components exceed the permissible emission values or if the entire product is tested

4.1.2.2. Component testing

In the case of component testing, e. g. for furniture programs, the testing institute selects the components to be tested in consultation with the manufacturer. The different materials used, in particular different coating systems, must be taken into account. The selection must be made in such a way as to ensure compliance with the requirements of the award criteria for the product to be tested. In the case of components with a total area share of no more than 5% of the product, sample analyses and emission testing are not necessary.

The components to be tested are taken directly from the current production in sufficient quantity. Supplied parts may not be older than 10 days. A deviation from this specification is permissible if the manufacturer proves that individual supplied parts used in the normal production process are regularly older than 10 days. In the case of flat components, at least 3 parts must be taken as a stack, of which only the middle part is used for the emission test

The testing institute must be consulted about the exact sample quantity, taking into account the size of the component and the emission test chamber to be used. The samples taken from the same components must be immediately packed together in airtight packing. The individual samples should be placed as close to each other as possible to minimise unavoidable emissions during transport to the testing institute.

4.1.2.3. Transport

The packaged sample material must be transported to the testing institute as quickly as possible. No more than 7 days may elapse between packaging and arrival at the testing institute.

4.1.3. Sample preparation

Until the start of the test, the test sample or sample material must be stored at the testing institute in packaged form.

When preparing the test samples for the emission test, only those flat components should be used that are stored on the inside of the stack and not those on the outside.

Components and complete products can be tested in their original condition in a large test chamber. In this case, p ossible low results for semi-volatile compounds must be taken into account. As a rule, test samples are to be taken from the sample material which can be examined in a test chamber suitable for volatile organic compounds. The test samples should represent the materials used and the different surfaces of a complete piece of furniture. Any narrow surfaces exposed by cutting must be sealed with a suitable sealant.

Self-adhesive, low-emission aluminium foil has proven suitable for this purpose. Any selfemission of the aluminium foil must be determined in preliminary tests.

When calculating the emission area, the surfaces on both sides and the narrow surfaces (without surfaces subsequently sealed as a result of test sample cuts) must be included.

After completion of the test samples, they must be immediately placed in the test chambers or stored in packages until the test chamber is loaded.

For the manufacturer's own internal documentation, a sampling protocol (dates of production, packaging, shipping, etc.) must be created for each sample.

The time between packaging of the samples at the manufacturer and loading of the chambers should be as short as possible. According to DIN EN 16516, the test must be started within 8 weeks after sampling, provided that the sample is stored in the laboratory in the specified packaging and under normal indoor conditions. Sampling, sample receipt and test start must be documented in the test report.

4.1.4. Emission requirements for school furniture

1) The test can be terminated on the 7th day after loading if the required final values of the 28th day are reached and no increase in concentration of one of the detected substances can be detected compared to the measurement on the 3rd day

2) Sum of individual substances ≥ 5 µg/m ³) at test chamber concentration

3) The substance Dimethylformamide (DMF, CAS 68-12-2) is treated separately during the assessment of CMR properties. For DMF, a limit value (based on the LCI value) of < 15 µg/m³ after 28 days applies. The value after 3 days shall not be included in the total evaluation. For the calculation of the R value, DMF must still be taken into account. This regulation is valid for a transitional period until 31.12.2023. As of 01.01.2024, it will no longer apply. Formaldehyde and acetaldehyde are excluded from the CMR assessment (classification: Carc. 1B)

4) The R value is based on the current list of LCI values according to AgBB; https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/sites/default/files/medien/4031/dokumente/agbb_bewertungsschema_2021.pdf

Definitions of TVOCspec und TSVOC

TVOCspec: Sum of all individual substances found ≥ 5 µg/m³ in the retention range C6–C16 (between n-hexane up to and including n-hexadecane). The determination is carried out in accordance with the currently valid AgBB scheme. Data in the AgBB scheme for C substances apply here to CMR substances of category 1A and 1B

TSVOC: Sum of all individual substances ≥ 5 µg/m³ in the retention range > C16–C22. In individual cases, LCI values have been derived for SVOC. The SVOCs for which LCI values have been determined are to be included in the R value calculation for the requirements after 28 days and are no longer subject to the sum SVOC value. The sum of the TVOCspec value and the sum of the individual SVOC with LCI value must not exceed the TVOC requirements after 28 days (AgBB procedure).

General information on TVOC and TSVOC:

The basis for measuring the emission of volatile organic compounds and formaldehyde is the BAM test method in the current version. The requirements for the test chamber procedure and the analysis are based on DIN EN 16516 in conjunction with the DIN EN ISO 16000 et. seq. series of standards

4.1.4.1. Odour

The odour test shall be performed after a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 28 days of residence time in the test chamber. In case of a previous test according to Point 4.1.4 testing can be carried out after the previous test is completed. In the case of several tests, the result of the last test series (longest period in test chamber) is definitive.

Requirements:

Score to be maintained: Level 3.0

The majority of individual scores must not be above level 3.0.

The average must be ≤ 3.0

Testing:

Odour neutral room:

Temperature: 23° C ± 1° C

Humidity: 50% r. h. ± 5% r. h.

Airflow rate: Depending on the type of test sample

Chamber volume: The chamber volume is based on the specified test chamber size (Table 1)

Room loading: Depending on the type of test sample

At least 7 test persons independently assess the odour intensity according to a 5-point scale:

1 = no odour

2 = weak odour

3 = distinctive, not unpleasant odour

4 = unpleasant odour

5 = unbearable odour

The following should be recorded:

• Age and sex of test persons

• Room size

• Room temperature

• Room humidity (rel. humidity)

• Date of assessment

• Time span between production and odour assessment

• Type of odour

Test persons: The test persons (at least 7 persons, at least 3 of them women) should spend at least 10 minutes in a room with clean air before the odour test. The odour assessment is performed undiluted. The test persons should not have any previous exposure to the odours to be evaluated

Mean value:

Of all the individual values determined, one highest and one lowest are not to be used for averaging. Only the mean value is given in test reports.

4.1.5. Additional material requirements

4.1.5.1. Chlorophenols

Pentachlorophenols / Tetrachlorophenols / Trichlorophenols

Test specimen: wood-based materials

Requirements:

PCP Tetrachlorophenols Trichlorophenols

Wood-based materials < 3 mg/kg < 3 mg/kg

Method of analysis:

The sample is heated with 1 m KOH in a drying oven. An aliquot of the extract is derivatised with acetic anhydride. The derivative is extracted with n-hexane and analysed on capillary GC by ECD. Other methods are permitted if comparability has been demonstrated

4.1.5.2. Azo dyes

Test specimen: leather, natural fibres, and synthetic fibres

Requirements:

Azo dyes which release certain amines must not be used (according to REACH Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006). This requirement applies to substances and materials that come into contact with human skin for more than a short period of time.

Values to be observed:

The amines listed in Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006 (REACH VO) must not be detectable (i. e. < 30 mg/kg).

Testing:

The test procedure is described in “Amtliche Sammlung von Untersuchungsverfahren nach §64 Lebensmittel- und Futtermittelgesetzbuch” (German Food and Feed Code):

Natural fibres: B 82.02-2 (DIN EN ISO 14362-1)

Polyester fibres: B 82.02-4 (DIN 14362-2)

The following must be stated in the test report, if concentrations per amine component below 30 mg/kg are present:

“According to the scope of testing, azo dyes, the use of which is prohibited under Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006, were not detected.”

Proof via manufacturer’s declaration possible.

4.1.5.3. Dispersion dyes and pigments

Requirements:

• Carcinogenic dyes

• Mutagenic or teratogenic dispersion dyes

• Potentially irritating dyes

• Dyes containing heavy metals are not permissible

Testing according to DIN 54231

Proof via manufacturer’s declaration possible.

4.1.5.4. PAH (Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons)

Testing and evaluation according to AfPS GS 2019:01 PAC

GS Specification “Testing and Evaluation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) in the Award of the GS Mark” of the Product Safety Committee (AfPS) as of April 2020 or the respective current regulation.

Proof via manufacturer’s declaration possible.

4.2. Protection of the environment and climate

4.2.1. Energy and eco-balance

The efforts of manufacturers to minimise the energy and atmospheric environmental impact associated with the transport of their products and supplier materials must be evident from appropriate documents.

The use of self-generated, renewable energy (e. g. burning waste wood) and the purchase of CO2 neutral energy are to be preferred.

To optimise the use of materials and energy with regard to a sustainable eco-balance, the implementation of a life cycle assessment based on the systematics of the standards

DIN EN ISO 14001, DIN EN ISO 14040 and DIN EN ISO 14044 is suitable.

A life cycle assessment or environmental declaration of the products according to DIN EN ISO 14025 (EPD verification) is also recommended.

4.2.2. Human and ecosystem health

In addition to the legal regulations on the handling of chemicals that are harmful to humans and the environment (e. g. REACH Regulation), this Furniture Quality Assurance RAL-GZ 430 contains extensive testing requirements to ensure furniture that has been tested for harmful substances

4.2.2.1.

Liquid coating systems

Operators of coating plants must comply with the requirements of the 31st Federal Imission Control Act (BlmSchV). This shall be proven via the manufacturer’s declaration.

4.2.3. Use of materials

4.2.3.1.

Solid wood and wood-based materials

Solid wood and wood-based materials must comply with EU Regulation 995/2010 and, as far as possible, originate from sustainably and legally managed forestry (FSC/PEFC documentation or similar evidence). When using waste wood in wood-based materials, the Waste Wood Ordinance must be observed. Proof of the pollutant limit values of the Waste Wood Ordinance according to testing in compliance with the EPF standard.

4.2.3.2. Plastic components

Plastic components > 50 g should be labelled according to DIN EN ISO 11469 and should not contain additives of other materials that conflict with recycling.

4.2.3.3. Adhesives

The VOC content of adhesives should not exceed 10% for water-based systems and 30% for solvent - based systems

4.2.3.4.

PVC

The use of PVC should be limited to furniture parts for which no equivalent other materials are available and for which the special properties of PVC are required.

The use of PVC must be indicated in the product information (PI). Dismountable PVC parts are exempt from this regulation if they are clearly marked as PVC parts

4.2.4.

4.2.4.1.

Circular economy

Constructional layout – wear – durability

The principles of recycling-friendly design (VDI 2243) must be observed. The use of recyclable and biodegradable materials is to be preferred.

For wear parts, a functional, compatible replacement is ensured over a period of at least 5 years.

The durability of the products shall be ensured by appropriate design.

4.2.4.2. Packaging

Packaging material must be suitable for reuse or recycling. The packaging must be designed in such a way that any volatile components of the furniture can outgas

4.2.4.3. Reusability / recycling

With regard to reusability and recycling, no material preservatives (fungicides, insecticides, flame retardants) and no halogenated organic compounds may be added to the furniture, or the materials used for its production (wood-based materials, adhesives, coatings, etc ).

This excludes fungicides used solely for in-can preservation in water-based coatings and glues or flame retardants in which inorganic ammonium phosphates (diammonium phosphate, ammonium polyphosphate, etc.), boron compounds (boric acid, borates) or other waterreleasing minerals (aluminium trihydrate or similar) are used for flame retardation.

4.3. Social responsibility

With a view to sustainable human resources development and to ensure health, occupational safety and social working conditions, a company should, in accordance with good management practice, define and document responsibilities and procedural rules concerning this matter.

These include in particular:

• Fair hiring practices

• Continuing education of employees

• Social responsibility in company regulations

• Social ethics

Social ethics may also include social measures for the local environment of the operating site (e. g. sponsoring cultural or charitable institutions)

Compliance with the requirements can be achieved through membership of the UN Global Compact 12.7 or equivalent certificates The Deutsche Gütegemeinschaft Möbel supports the UN Global Compact and its 10 principles. These guiding principles for business and human rights are to be implemented by the quality mark users. The implementation is documented during the monitoring audits.

With regard to social responsibility for products of the supply chain over which the company has no direct influence, preference is to be given wherever possible to supplier companies that take social standards into account.

4.4. Advertising statements

Advertising claims must not contain any statements such as “biologically tested” or similar statements that play down hazards as laid out in the EU Directive 67/548/EWG Article 23 (Designation) Section 4 (e. g. “non-toxic”, “no risk to health”, “free from …”).

5. General Quality Principles

It is a prerequisite for “furniture with the quality mark” that suitable materials and construction elements are used which are appropriate to the product and have been professionally processed. Safety, function, and utility are assessed according to the latest standards of technology at the time of product launch. Environmental and health protection as well as product information are essential quality features.

Deviations from the Quality and Testing Regulations

Deviations from the requirements laid out in the Quality and Testing Regulations may be made if an equivalent or higher quality and safety objective is achieved by other means. Suitable proof is required.

Visual inspections

Visual inspections are carried out under the following conditions (unless otherwise specified):

General assessment: At distance of 2 to 3 m

Detailed assessment: At distance of 0.7 ± 0.1 m

Assessment basis: normal vision; diffuse daylight (without direct sunlight or artificial light).

Parts that are not visible in the position of use or subordinate parts as well as irregularities that are only visible in grazing light are excluded from the assessment

5.1. Product information

The product information for school furniture shall be made available to the retailer for marketing purposes and for passing on to the end customer and contains the following details based on RAL-GZ 430/10:

1. Product name

2. Product label*

3. Structural design

4. Materials

5. Surface treatment

6. Model variants

7. Dimensions

8. Weight

9. Maximum load

10. Cleaning and care instructions

*Labelling obligations according to the Product Safety Act (ProdSG) must be observed

Visual inspection; document verification

In addition, the following information, if applicable, should be included in the product information:

• Information on wear parts and their repair or replacement, repair service if necessary (For wear parts, a functional compatible replacement of at least 5 years is guaranteed).

• Information on the type and origin of the wood predominantly used.

• Information on other materials (proportion > 3 weight percent)

• Information on the assembly of the products and disassembly for removal and subsequent material recycling. For special product groups, the Eco Design Directive (2009/125/EC) must also be observed.

• In the case of furniture that falls under the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act (ElektroG) 12.3 appropriate labelling must be applied to the furniture and the method of disposal must be indicated in the operating instructions

• If PVC must be used, this must be stated in the product information.

6.1. Quality of wood and wood-based materials

6.1.1. Wood equilibrium moisture content

Wood moisture during processing: Exposed wood: 6 to 10%.

This must not be exceeded or fallen short of during processing.

Covered frames: max. 12%

Testing according to DIN EN 13183-1

6. Construction of School Furniture

6.1.2. Visible / non-visible wood

May have the characteristics listed in the characteristics overview based on DIN 68360 Part 2 (withdrawn since June 1996 – replaced by DIN EN 942)

Visual inspection

6.1.3. Solid wood – Assessment criteria

Characteristics overview based on DIN 68360 Part 2 – 5/81 (standard withdrawn*)

ID: Non-visible parts

IND: Visible parts

Characteristics ID IND

General The wood must be healthy (free from wood-destroying fungi and insects) and free from pith on the parts visible after assembly.

Surface The surface must be even and sanded. Saw and plane marks on the parts visible after assembly are inadmissible, unless a specific treatment of the surface, e. g. brushing, sandblasting, or burning, has been agreed.

Colour differences

Blue stain

Permissible

Permissible: blue stain, i. e. low blue stain in the initial stage

Permissible: natural colour differences

Not permissible: on surfaces that remain visible. Bluing on non-visible surfaces is permissible

Sapwood

Permissible: e. g. for pine and other wood types with similar properties as sapwood.

Not permissible: for wood types whose heartwood and sapwood differ significantly in properties

Grain deviation

Longitudinal cracks

Not permissible: spiral graining and deviations in grain direction exceeding 2 cm per m.

Permissible: small cracks and permanently**(see footnote) repaired cracks which run in the direction of the grain, do not pass through and do not interfere after surface treatment

Transverse cracks Not permissible

Resin pockets / resin zones

Bark remnants

Permissible: resin pockets permanently** (see footnote) repaired down to the base.

Permissible: if they are permanently** (see footnote) repaired

Permissible: resin pockets if they are permanently** (see footnote) repaired down to the base.

Not permissible

Bark must also be removed from non-visible parts

Characteristics ID IND

Tree edge

Insect damage

Permissible: without bark in places that are no longer visible after assembly.

Not permissible: except for isolated feeding tunnels up to 2 mm in diameter made by green wood insects

Not permissible

Knots

a) Not improved knots

Permissible: only sound, intergrown knots that do not affect the stability of the parts and their usability. Note: Stability and usability may be affected if, for example, the largest knot diameter is greater than 1/3 of the width of an element, as in the case of a frame

Not permissible: wing knots and dark knots

b) Plugged knots Dowel edges must be glued over the entire surface. Gluing depending on the application of the element according to stress group B2 to B4 in compliance with DIN 68 602 (replaced by DIN EN 204).

Permissible: dowels up to 25 mm in diameter and chain dowels up to 3 dowels.

Not permissible

*The national standard has been replaced by DIN EN 942-6/2007. This DIN, however, does not contain the assessment criteria proven in practice in the same way.

**Permanently here means repair with wood that is also glued in over the entire surface at the edges.

6.1.4.

Veneers

Not permissible on visible surfaces are:

• Glue penetration

• Visible adhesive joints

• Resin pockets

• Loose, overlapped, and sanded spots and cracks

• Deviations disturbing the overall appearance

• Markings after the substrate and glue have dried

• Zigzag showing through

Permissible on visible surfaces, if indicated in the product information, are:

• Minor, healthy intergrowths in the veneer, which are natural in nature

• Mirrors in oak*

• Lime deposits in teak and walnut*

• Cross cracks in knots*

• Gum in cherry*

*Evidence of authenticity

Visual inspection

Note: Display products must largely correspond to the series standard in their visual appearance

6.1.5. Wood-based materials

Particle boards, plywood, MDF boards, hardboards, OSB boards must comply with the applicable standards (DIN, EN, ISO) and plastic-coated flat pressed boards must comply with brochure 004 of the AMK (Working Group The Modern Kitchen)

Screw tightness:

According to AMK brochure 003

Warping of structural elements made of wood-based materials:

Permissible form deviation 1.5 mm / 1 m measuring length

Testing according to above mentioned standards

6.2. Other materials

6.2.1. Glass

6.2.1.1. Flat glass

Typical material characteristics are:

• Colour tolerance due to the raw materials used

• Colour tolerance due to different dimensions (thickness, length, width). This can be particularly noticeable with a coloured coating.

Testing according to DIN EN 572 Part 4

6.2.1.2. Mirror glass

Testing according to DIN EN 572 Part 2

Drawing defects

Bubbles, waves, streaks must not be visible when viewed from a distance of 0.7 m.

In the case of illuminated glass components (especially those illuminated by LED lighting), glass characteristics typical of the product may become clearly visible (e. g. bubbles, waves, streaks).

Visual inspection

6.2.1.3. Frameless glass components

Edge processing:

Minimum requirement: edged, bevelled ≥ 1 mm or rounded r ≥ 1 mm

Corners: bevelled ≥ 2 mm or rounded r ≥ 2 mm

Visual inspection, measuring

Drilled holes

Deviation from DIN EN 572 Part 4:

Shell defects in drilled holes up to 1 mm at edge of the hole are permissible.

Visual inspection, measuring

6.2.2. Mirrors

The requirements of DIN EN 1036-1 apply.

6.2.3. Plastics

Duroplastic surfaces (HPL, CPL coatings) must comply with the applicable standards (DIN, EN, ISO).

6.2.4. Metal Materials for school furniture

All metal elements for use in school furniture must be treated in such a way that they are corrosion-resistant, smooth, and clean on the upper as well as visible surfaces and rounded at corners and edges (DIN EN 16121, DIN EN 1729).

After the corrosion test, there must be no signs of corrosion on the visible surfaces.

Testing according to DIN EN ISO 6270-2, 2 cycles, AHT (condensed water alternating climate), visual inspection, haptic test

Construction, material shapes and thicknesses

The material shapes and thicknesses are to be dimensioned according to the relevant technical rules (e. g. according to GUV guidelines).

6.3. Surface finishes

6.3.1. Painted materials

6.3.2. Melamine resin coated surfaces (MFB, HPL, KF panels)

6.3.2.1. Graphite test

For melamine resin coated surfaces, a graphite test must be carried out in accordance with DIN 4575 The rating must be grade 5.

6.3.3. Metal surfaces

Galvanised surfaces possibly with additional sealing.

After the corrosion test, there must be no signs of corrosion on the visible surfaces.

Testing of the layer thicknesses, mechanical stressability (abrasion), visual inspection of the surfaces (pores, microcracks), testing of the corrosion resistance according to DIN EN ISO 6270-2, 2 cycles AHT (condensation water alternating climate)

Painted and coated surfaces

After the corrosion test, there must be no signs of corrosion on the visible surfaces.

Visual inspection, test of mechanical stressability (abrasion, scratch resistance), adhesion (cross-cut characteristic value 1 to 2); testing of the corrosion resistance according to DIN EN ISO 6270-2, 2 cycles AHT (condensation water alternating climate)

6.3.4. Corrosion resistance of fittings

Requirements:

• All hardware parts visible in the assembled state must not show any base material corrosion after 3 cycles.

Exceptions are:

Screw slots, rivet heads, cut edges, aluminium and zinc die-cast parts

• Functionality must not be impaired.

Note:

In spot-welded constructions that have been subsequently finished, problems occasionally occur in tests according to DIN EN ISO 6270-2, but these are not confirmed in practice. This occurs particularly with optically high-quality galvanic surfaces. Because of this peculiarity, additional investigations are still required for a test method suitable for practical use.

Testing according to DIN EN ISO 6270-2: 3 cycles AHT (condensation alternating climate)*

*A test concept for testing the corrosion resistance is in progress.

6.4. Constructional requirements

6.4.1. Floor unevenness

To compensate for uneven floors, use height adjusters (e. g. for tables).

6.4.2. Edges / narrow surfaces / joints

Requirements:

• Edges must be free of tear-out and must be broken or rounded evenly over the entire length

• The edges of the standing surfaces must be chamfered or fitted with glides.

• All narrow surfaces of chipboard visible in the position of use must be covered. Covering on all sides is recommended.

• Finger joints must be tight and must not be visually obtrusive.

Visual inspection and dimensional inspection, if necessary haptic test in loaded condition

6.4.3. Glue and adhesive joints

Visible glue and adhesive joints must be properly sealed. They must not show any excess glue at the points visible in the position of use.

Visual inspection, functionality test

6.5. Strength and durability

6.5.1. Tables and chairs for educational institutions

After the test, there shall be no breaks or other damage which could affect the functionality of the product.

Testing according to DIN EN 1729 Part 1 “Chairs and tables for educational institutions” –Safety requirements and test methods

7. Safety

To proof safety with regard to the requirements of the Product Safety Act (ProdSG), all relevant and current technical regulations, DIN standards, VDE and GUV regulations etc. as well as the resolutions of the relevant think tank groups of GS Test Centres must be taken into account in the product design.

The standard DIN EN 1729-1 applies to dimensions of school furniture and standard DIN EN 1729-2 applies to mechanical safety.

In accordance with the Product Safety Act (ProdSG) the following applies:

A product may only be made available on the market if it does not endanger the safety and health of persons or other legal interests listed in the legal ordinances pursuant to Article 3 when used as intended or in a foreseeable manner.

The requirements according to DIN EN 1729 (Parts 1 and 2) must be met. If glass is used, safety glass must be used. (Exceptions: In closed box furniture and for furniture in rooms adjacent to classrooms).

The accident prevention regulation GUV-V S1 must also be taken into account.

8. Electrical Appliances

Only electrical equipment and components that comply with the current and relevant EU directives or EN standards may be used.

In the case of furniture subject to registration in accordance with the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act (ElektroG), appropriate labelling must be applied to the furniture and the method of disposal must be indicated in the operating instructions.

Note for electrical safety: see annex 12.3.

9. Labelling

Furniture that complies with these Quality and Testing Regulations and which has been awarded the quality mark can be labelled with the quality mark shown below:

RAL-GZ 430 / 10

The implementation regulations of the Deutsche Gütegemeinschaft Möbel apply exclusively to the use of the quality mark.

10. Amendments

Amendments to these Quality and Testing Regulations require the prior written consent of RAL to become effective. They come into force after a reasonable period of time after they have been announced by the Executive Board

11. Implementing Regulations for the Award and Use of the Quality Mark of the Deutsche Gütegemeinschaft Möbel e. V.

11.1.

Assessment basis

The assessment basis for the quality mark consists of the Quality and Testing Regulations for Furniture. It is amended and further developed in line with technical progress.

11.2. Awarding the quality mark

11.2.1 The Deutsche Gütegemeinschaft Möbel e. V. awards the right to use the quality mark for furniture to manufacturers of quality furniture upon application.

11.2.2 The application for the award of the quality mark must be submitted in writing to the office of the Deutsche Gütegemeinschaft Möbel e. V., Friedrichstraße 13-15 in 90762 Fürth. The application must be accompanied by a list of the products which the applicant wishes to have approved for quality assurance as well as a legally binding signed certificate of commitment (Sample 1).

11.2.3 This application is reviewed by the Quality Committee. The Quality Association commissions a neutral testing institute to carry out the initial testing. The test result is sent in writing to the Quality Committee, the applicant, and the Executive Board of the Quality Association. In addition, the Quality Committee may arrange for a factory inspection to be carried out by authorised inspectors or inspectors authorised by the testing institute. The applicant shall bear the costs for this as well as the cost for the inspection of the products. The Quality Association may authorise the testing institute to request an advance payment for inspection costs.

11.2.4 If the result of the inspection is positive, the Executive Board of the Quality Association awards the quality mark to the applicant on the recommendation of the Quality Committee. The award is certified (Sample 2). If the result of the inspection is negative, the Quality Committee will defer the application. It must give reasons for the deferral in writing.

11.3. Use of the quality mark

11.3.1 Users of the mark may only use the quality mark for products that comply with the Quality and Testing Regulations.

11.3.2 The Quality Association has the sole right to have marking materials of the quality mark produced for all purposes (embossing stamps, printing blocks, matrixes, seal stamps, rubber stamps, etc.) and to issue them or have them issued to the users of the quality mark or to grant permission for their production and to specify the type of application in more detail.

11.3.3 The Executive Board may issue special regulations for the use of the quality mark in advertising on brochures, offers, order confirmations and delivery bills, etc., in order to maintain fair competition and prevent misuse of the quality mark.

11.3.4 The right to use the quality mark ends in case of death, opening of insolvency proceedings, liquidation, withdrawal or if the user of the quality mark renounces the right to use the quality mark by legally signed declaration to the Managing Director by registered letter on a date determined by the user.

11.3.5 If the right to use the quality mark has been legally withdrawn, the award certificate and all means of labelling with the quality mark must be returned; there is no entitlement to reimbursement. The same applies if the right to use the quality mark has otherwise expired.

11.4. Quality Control

11.4.1 The Quality Association is entitled and obliged to monitor compliance with the Quality and Testing Regulations as well as the lawful and proper use of the quality mark.

11.4.2 Every user of the quality mark must take the necessary precautions to ensure that the products bearing the quality mark comply with the Quality and Testing Regulations. Careful records must be kept of the required internal quality control procedures. In addition, every user of the quality mark shall subject these products to the monitoring tests arranged by the Quality Association to the extent and frequency in accordance with the requirements of the Quality and Testing Regulations and shall bear the testing and transport costs incurred as a result.

11.4.3 The Quality Committee commissions neutral testing institutes (officially recognised material testing institutes or equivalent testing institutes) to carry out the monitoring tests and makes the necessary agreements with them.

11.4.4 Assessors authorised by the neutral testing institutes may carry out monitoring tests at the company of the quality mark user at any time without prior notification up to twice a year, inspect the records of the company's own inspections and visit the company during operating hours. Products requested by the assessor as test pieces

are to be handed over immediately. The assessor is entitled to dismantle finished products during the inspection. If the test is carried out elsewhere, the test pieces must be clearly marked by the assessor immediately upon removal. Products of the quality mark user can also be taken from the trade.

11.4.5 The appointed testing institute determines the test results independently of the bodies of the Quality Association. The testing institute prepares a test report for each test, a copy of which is sent to the Quality Association and to the quality mark user in question. Further dissemination of the test result is prohibited.

11.4.6 In case of a negative test result or in case of complaints about products of the quality mark user, the Quality Committee has the test repeated.

11.4.7 In the case of inspections requested from the Quality Association by third parties, the inspection costs are borne by the complainant in the event of an unjustified complaint, and by the quality mark user in the event of a justified complaint.

11.5. Sanctioning of violations

11.5.1 If the Quality Committee identifies deficiencies in quality assurance, it proposes sanctioning measures to the Executive Board of the Quality Association. Depending on the severity of the violation, the Board may:

11.5.1.1 Issue an instruction and/or a warning against the user of the quality mark,

11.5.1.2 Order an increase in the number of monitoring tests to be carried out for a certain period of time,

11.5.1.3 Impose the payment of a contractual penalty depending on the extent of the breach in question, up to EUR 10,000 in favour of the Quality Association,

11.5.1.4 Withdraw the right to use the quality mark temporarily or permanently.

11.5.2 If deviations from the Quality and Testing Regulations or an infringement of the conditions of use of the quality mark are detected during inspection of the products of the quality mark user, an instruction or warning will be issued. Depending on circumstances, the latter is issued in conjunction with an ordered increase in the number of monitoring tests to be carried out and/or by the imposition of a contractual penalty. The contractual penalty is to be paid to Deutsche Gütegemeinschaft Möbel e. V. within 14 days after the decision has become legally binding.

11.5.3 The right to use the quality mark will be withdrawn temporarily or permanently if the Quality and Testing Regulations or the conditions for use of the quality mark have been repeatedly violated, or if the quality mark has been misused, or if a deliberate violation

of the Quality and Testing Regulations has been proven, or if the quality mark user otherwise grossly violates the quality assurance through their conduct.

11.5.4 Should a member use the quality mark without authorisation or allow a third party to affix it to their products or permit the third party to use the quality mark in any other way, a contractual penalty of up to EUR 10,000 will be due for each individual case. Any legal action ensuing from such behaviour will not be affected by the issuing of said penalties.

11.5.5 A penalty as laid out under Section 5.1 may also be issued if the quality mark user delays or obstructs immediate monitoring tests as described under Section 4.

11.5.6 The affected party must be heard before any measures are taken. Before the right to use the quality mark is withdrawn from a quality mark user, the affected party must be given the opportunity to make a statement within a period of 4 weeks.

11.5.7 In urgent cases, the Chairman of the Quality Association may provisionally prohibit a quality mark user from using the quality mark with immediate effect. Such an order must be confirmed or rescinded by the Executive Board of the Quality Association within 14 days.

11.5.8 The duty of the Quality Association to intervene against impairment of the use of the quality mark and in the event of misuse of the quality mark also obliges the users of the quality mark under trademark law to notify the Managing Director of the Quality Association without delay of any violations of the conditions of use of the quality mark and any cases of misuse of the quality mark of which they become aware and to submit substantiating documents so that the violation can be prosecuted in an appropriate manner. Failure to do so shall be punished in accordance with Section 5.1.

11.5.9 Measures taken by the Quality Association to protect the quality mark within the meaning of these provisions shall not affect the right of quality mark users to assert any claims for compensation for damage directly incurred by them as a result of infringement under civil law.

11.6. Objection

11.6.1 The quality mark user may lodge an appeal with the Quality Committee against a penalty notice in accordance with Section 5.1 within 4 weeks of notification of the notice. A decision on the appeal must be made within 4 weeks. The appeal has a suspensive effect; however, in the event of an acute risk of misleading the market, the Quality Committee may provisionally confirm a sanctioning measure in accordance with Section 5.1.4 even before deciding on the appeal.

11.6.2 If the objection is rejected, the complainant may take legal action in accordance with Section 11 of the Articles of Association within 4 weeks of being served with the decision rejecting the complaint.

11.7. Reinstatement of usage rights

If the right to use the quality mark has been withdrawn, it may be re-awarded after three months at the earliest. The procedure is determined in accordance with Section 2. However, the Executive Board of the Quality Association may impose additional conditions.

11.8. Amendments

These Implementing Regulations together with samples (declaration of membership, award certificate) are recognised by RAL. Amendments, including those of an editorial nature, require the prior written consent of RAL to become effective. They come into force after being announced by the Executive Board within a reasonable period determined by the Executive Board of the Quality Association.

Certificate of Commitment for the Quality Assurance of the Deutsche Gütegemeinschaft Möbel e. V.

1. The undersigned / the undersigned company hereby applies to the Deutsche Gütegemeinschaft Möbel e. V. for

 admission as a member*

 the award of the right to use the quality mark for furniture in conjunction with the product related addition according to Section 2 of this Certificate of Commitment.

2. The undersigned / the undersigned company confirms that they have read the Quality and Testing Regulations for Furniture in conjunction with the

 Quality and Testing Regulations for Cabinet Furniture, RAL-GZ 430/1*

 Quality and Testing Regulations for Kitchen and Bathroom Furniture, RAL-GZ 430/2*

 Quality and Testing Regulations for Tables, Chairs and Corner Seats, RAL-GZ 430/3*

 Quality and Testing Regulations for Upholstered Furniture, RAL-GZ 430/4*

 Quality and Testing Regulations for Beds, RAL-GZ 430/5*

 Quality and Testing Regulations for Mattresses, RAL-GZ 430/6*

 Quality and Testing Regulations for Waterbeds, RAL-GZ 430/7*

 Quality and Testing Regulations for Office Furniture, RAL-GZ 430/8*

 Quality and Testing Regulations for Children’s Furniture, RAL-GZ 430/9*

 Quality and Testing Regulations for School Furniture, RAL-GZ 430/10*

 Quality and Testing Regulations for Outdoor Furniture RAL-GZ 430/11* ­ The Articles of Association of the Deutsche Gütegemeinschaft Möbel e. V.,

The Quality Mark Statutes for the quality mark Furniture,

The Implementing Regulations with Samples 1 and 2 and hereby recognise them without reservation as binding in themselves.

Number of employees: ............... ________________________

(Place and date)

*Please mark as appropriate

(Stamp and signature of the applicant)

Certificate

On the basis of the test report submitted to the Quality Committee, the Deutsche Gütegemeinschaft Möbel e. V. hereby awards the company

Mustermann GmbH

Marktplatz 1, 12345 Witzhausen, Deutschland

the Quality Mark for Furniture

Which has been recognised by RAL Deutsches Institut für Gütesicherung und Kennzeichnung e. V. (RAL German Institute for Quality Assurance and Labelling) and is protected as a collective trademark through registration at the German Patent and Trademark Office

in connection with the product-related addendum according to the following mark illustration

FÜRTH, 01. 01. 2022

Chairperson of the Board CEO

RAL-GZ 430/____

12. Annex

12.1. Acceptance report

12.2. Complaint protocol

Date – time:

Name – Furniture store and clerk:

Name – Model – Execution –

Commission:

Order confirmation number –

Delivery from:

Description of damage:

1. Was the packaging already damaged when handed over by the shipping company?

Yes □ No □

When was the damage reported?

2. When/how was the damage detected?

Date: ………………………………………

 During receipt of goods  During loading  During assembly

 Approx. … day/s after assembly by the end customer  In use since ........................

3. Brief description of the “defect type” of the complaint:

□ Compression mark (dent) □ Fracture/ breakthrough

□ Scratch (transverse – longitudinal - diagonal)

□ Compression (edge – surface) □ not functional

4. Brief description of defect – please mark location (if possible with digital photo, possibly use folding rule for size estimation):

Wardrobe

Body (interior)

Body (exterior)

Outside right/left

Back panels

Doors/front

Ancillary units – Dressers – Consoles

Outside drawers

Functional part

Electrical part

Other

Place, date

Signature of end customer

Signature of sales representative

12.3. Guideline for electrical equipment / components in furniture

For all employees from the areas of Purchasing – Construction – Quality assurance

Index

General remarks

Labelling in accordance with the Product Safety Act (ProdSG)

Directives

Significant product changes

Combination of components

Requirements for different product groups

General classification of devices and modules according to the Low Voltage Directive or the Machinery Directive

Abbreviations and their meaning

Installation in furniture

General remarks

Aim:

This guideline provides an overview of the essential standards and technical rules to be taken into consideration where statutory regulations on product safety and product labelling in the European Economic Area are concerned.

General instructions for purchasing:

1. The supplier must submit precise product-specific test certificates on product safety in accordance with the relevant EU directives. Declarations of conformity alone or only the cover page of certificates are not sufficient for manufacturer liability. It must be ensured that the test reports or test certificates are up to date.

2. A release from liability with the pre-supplier must be contractually stipulated.

3. The system requirements for the respective area of application must already be contractually specified when the order is placed.

4. The requirements for the individual destination countries with regard to labelling and normative requirements are to be listed and requested with the order.

Note on the specification of standards:

If no date of issue is given for standards or guidelines, the current version applies. Special attention must be paid to any transitional periods.

Application of the Low Voltage Directive:

The Low Voltage Directive is to be considered only for certain nominal voltages of a device:

For DC voltage: 75 to 1500 Volt

For AC voltage: 50 to 1000 Volt

For electrified furniture that has a connection to the main network, the Low Voltage Directive applies in all cases.

Disclaimer: These guidelines are intended as a guide and make no claim to completeness. In individual cases, it is also necessary to check which requirements must be met in accordance with the relevant legal regulations. No liability can be assumed for individual cases.

Labelling according to the Product Safety Act (ProdSG of 8 November 2011)

Consumer products must generally be labelled according to Section 6 of the Product Safety Act with:

- Name and contact address of the manufacturer

- Clear labelling for identification of the consumer product

If the manufacturer is based outside the European Economic Area, some obligations are transferred to the importer. For example, the importer must ensure that a European address is provided and that the technical documentation for the product is available or prepared.

If products are manufactured outside the EU but sold under the name of a European ( trading) company (OEM business), then the European company becomes a quasi-manufacturer and must fulfil all the obligations of a manufacturer (including the issuance of the declaration of conformity).

Liability risks: Incorrect and misleading labelling of products may give rise to regulatory or competition law liability risks. In the event of a hazard, regulatory authorities may order product recalls. Likewise, in the event of liability, insurance law problems may arise in the event of gross negligence, which may even lead to the loss of insurance coverage.

Directives

A product must bear the CE label if the product falls within the scope of at least one EC Directive that requires this label.

The “CE Directives” are usually all equally valid. If a product falls within the scope of several directives, then all of them must be observed (e. g. Low Voltage Directive and EMC Directive). In the declaration of conformity, several directives must be mentioned accordingly (or several declarations of conformity must be issued).

Exceptions:

If a product falls within the scope of the Machinery Directive and the Low Voltage Directive, then formally only the Machinery Directive applies to the declaration of conformity. However, the technical safety requirements of the Low Voltage Directive, which is mentioned as a cross-reference in the Machinery Directive, must be fulfilled.

If a product falls within the scope of the RED Directive, then the EMC Directive and the Low Voltage Directive formally fall away in the declaration of conformity. However, the RED Directive itself contains cross-references to the technical requirements of the EMC Directive and the Low Voltage Directive.

In the case of furniture that falls under the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act (ElektroG), appropriate labelling must be applied to the furniture and the method of disposal must be indicated in the operating instructions.

In the case of declarations of conformity in accordance with EC Directives based on internal

manufacturing controls, special technical instruction may be required for employees in manufacturing who install electrical components or manufacture machines.

Significant product changes

The existing conformity assessment documents (and thus also the declaration of conformity and the CE labelling) always apply only to the product in the condition in which the assessment was made.

If a product is substantially changed, e. g. by a processing company, then the person who makes these changes becomes the manufacturer of a new product and must carry out a new conformity assessment (including declaration of conformity and labelling). Such changes may include operative changes to the product itself, but also changes to the environmental conditions intended by the original manufacturer:

Example: Installation of a device actually intended for desktop operation in a closed housing (=> problems with heat dissipation). Commercially available AV/IT devices, for example, are usually not designed for complete integration, but for free-standing installation with sufficient air space for cooling around the device .

Combination of components

When combining components into a final product (e. g. wiring of multiple ballasts, connecting cables and lamps), it CANNOT be assumed that the complete product automatically meets the requirements of all directives if the individual components are CE marked individually:

- In some cases, the combination results in new requirements.

- The combination may cause limit values to be exceeded that are still met individually

12.3.1. Requirements for different product groups

12.3.1.1

Complete luminaires

Installation and mounting variants

Normative and legal requirements

Standard series EN 60598 (Luminaires):

DIN EN 60598-1 General requirements

EN 60598 -2 -1 Fixed luminaires

DIN EN 60598-2-2 Recessed luminaires

DIN 57710-14 (MM marking; national standard, withdrawn)

Luminaire components and ballasts

Standard series DIN EN 61347 (Lamp control gear/modules)

DIN EN 61347-1 General requirements

DIN EN 61347-2-2 Electronic converters for filament lamps

DIN EN 61347-2-3 Electronic control gears for fluorescent lamps

DIN EN 61347-2-11 Electronic modules for luminaires

DIN EN 61347-2-13 Electronic devices for LED modules

DIN EN 62031 LED modules for general lightning

DIN EN 62471 Photobiological safety of lamps (in particular lamps with LED);

DIN EN 62493 Electromagnetic fields (EMF) in lighting equipment

Labelling including declaration of conformity

CE labelling and declaration of conformity in accordance with the Regulation 2017/1369/EU

Test records and conformity documents

GS Approval Certificate – if available at least declaration of conformity related to Low Voltage Directive (2014/35/EU) and EMC Directive (2014/30/EU) including risk assessment. ENEC mark (voluntary private test mark)

Safety

Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU; Product Safety Directive (2001/95/EG); Product Safety Act (Implementation of Directives 2001/95/EC and 2014/35/EU)

Instructions for use

Product Safety Act (ProdSG)

Requirements from directives and standards

EMC – Electromagnetic compatibility

Directive 2014/30/EU

DIN EN IEC 55015 Radio disturbance characteristics

DIN EN 61547 Interference immunity

DIN EN IEC 61000-3-2 Harmonic currents

DIN EN 61000-3-3 Voltage changes / fluctuations

RED Directive

RED Directive 2014/53/EU (only if radio interface exists)

ErP Directive – Energy consumption

Directive 2009/125/EC

Regulation 2019/2020 Establishment of ecodesign requirements for light sources and separate operating devices

Regulation 2019/2015 Energy consumption labelling of light sources

Recycling RoHS and WEEE Directives

2011/65/EU (RoHS)

2012/19/EU (WEEE) only for certain luminaires/lamp types

Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act

Performance / Lifetime Relevant standards, e. g.:

DIN EN 60929 Performance ballasts for fluorescent lamps (applies only to tubular fluorescent lamps)

DIN EN IEC 62384 Performance LED ballasts

Control / Remote Control

For example

DIN EN 61347-2-11 Electronic modules for lamps (Twilight or proximity switch modules installed in luminaires)

DIN EN 61058-1 Device switch – General requirements

12.3.1.2

Direct integration

Audio / video and IT devices

Standard and legal requirements

DIN EN 60065 (Audio/video devices) Safety requirements

DIN EN 60950-1 (IT devices) Safety requirements

DIN EN IEC 62368 (IT devices) Safety requirements

Labelling including declaration of conformity

CE labelling and declaration of conformity

Test records and conformity documents

- Declaration of conformity

- Test reports for the individual standards

- Private test marks/certificates

- GS label with associated certificate

Safety

Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU; Product Safety Directive 2001/95/EC

Instruction for use

Product Safety Act (ProdSG)

Requirements from directives and standards (e. g. DIN EN 82079)

EMC – Electromagnetic compatibility

EMC Directive 2014/30/EU

DIN EN 55013 (A/V Emitted interference)

DIN EN 55020 (A/V Interference immunity)

DIN EN 50561-1 (IT radio disturbance)

DIN EN 55024 (IT interference immunity)

DIN EN IEC 61000-3-2 Harmonic currents

DIN EN 61000-3-3 Voltage changes / fluctuations

RED Directive

2014/53/EU (Only relevant for devices with radio interface or connection to the telephone network; devices used only for the reception of public radio and television broadcasts are exempt from the RED )

The standards are very diverse and depend on the frequency range and interface parameters => individual clarification required

ErP Directive – Energy consumption

Directive 2009/125/EC

Regulation 1275/2008 (Stand-by consumption)

Regulation 642/2009 Ecodesign requirements for televisions

Regulation 1062/2010 Energy labelling for televisions

Regulation 107/2009 Ecodesign requirements for simple set-top boxes

Regulation 278/2009 Power consumption of external power supplies

Regulation 617/2013 Ecodesign of PCs

Regulation 801/2013 Ecodesign of televisions

Recycling RoHS and WEEE Directives

RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU

WEEE Directive 2012/19/EU

Control / Remote control

The requirements are essentially included in the aforementioned directives / standards.

12.3.1.3

Direct integration

Domestic appliances

Normative and legal requirements

Standard series EN 60335 (General part and relevant special part)

DIN EN 60335-1 General requirements for all appliances

DIN EN 60335 -2 -5 Dishwasher

DIN EN 60335-2-6 Stoves, (built-in) ovens, hobs, steam cookers

DIN EN 60335-2-14 Kitchen appliances (e. g. all-purpose slicer)

DIN EN 60335-2-24 Cooling devices

DIN EN 60335-2-25 Microwave ovens

DIN EN 60335-2 -31 Range hoods

DIN EN 62233 Electromagnetic fields with regard to safety

Labelling including declaration of conformity

CE label and declaration of conformity

Test records and conformity documents

- Declaration of conformity

- Test reports for the individual standards

- Private test marks/certificates

- GS label with associated certificate

Safety

Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU; Product Safety Directive (2001/95/EC); Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC)

Instructions for use

Product Safety Act (ProdSG)

Requirements from directives and standards

EMC – Electromagnetic compatibility

EMC Directive 2014/30/EU

DIN EN 55014-1 Emitted interference

DIN EN 55011 (only for microwave ovens and induction; instead of EN 5014-1)

DIN EN IEC 61000-3-2 Harmonic currents

12.3.1.4

Motorised drives

DIN EN 61000-3-3 Voltage changes / fluctuations

(Higher interference immunity requirements apply if products are used commercially in industrial environments.)

RED Directive

(Only relevant for devices with radio interface or connection to the telephone network)

ErP Directive – Energy consumption

Directive 2009/125/EC

Regulation 1275/2008 Stand-by consumption

Regulation 643/2009 Ecodesign requirements for cooling devices

Regulation 278/2009 Power consumption of external power supplies

Regulation 1016/2010 Ecodesign requirements for dishwashers

Energy-labelling requirements for ovens, refrigerators and dishwashers

Recycling RoHS and WEEE Directives

RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU

WEEE Directive 2012/19/EU

Requirements for remote-controlled devices already partly included in the DIN EN 60335 series

Normative and legal requirements

DIN EN 60335-1 General requirements

(DIN EN 60335-2-103, DIN 18650-1); as well as other product-related requirements of the standard series DIN EN 60335

DIN EN ISO 13849 for functional safety in control systems

DIN EN 62233 Electromagnetic fields with regard to safety

Labelling including declaration of conformity

Depending on the type

(Component, partly completed machine, complete machine)

Test records and conformity documents

- Declaration of conformity

- Installation instructions in accordance with Machinery Directive

- Test reports for the individual standards

- Private test labels/certificates

- Risk assessments

Safety

Usually Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC) and applicable EU directives, e. g. Low Voltage Directive

Instructions for use / Operating instructions

Yes, plus assembly instructions

EMC – Electromagnetic compatibility

EMC Directive 2014/30/EU

DIN EN 55014 -1 Household purposes

DIN EN 55014-2 Interference immunity

DIN EN IEC 61000-3-2 Harmonic currents

DIN EN 61000-3-3 Voltage changes / fluctuations or

DIN EN 61000-6-2 / -3 (universal application also in commercial/ industrial environment)

RED Directive

Directive 2014/53/EU (Only relevant for devices with radio interface or connection to the telephone network)

ErP Directive – Energy consumption

ErP Directive 2009/125/EC

Currently no relevant implementing regulation exists.

Recycling RoHS and WEEE Directives

RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU

WEEE Directive 2012/19/EU

12.3.2. General classification of devices and modules according to the Low Voltage Direktive1) or the Machinery Directive2)

(Other directives are not considered in this note but may apply beyond it.)

Electromechanical drives for furniture must first be assigned to the Low Voltage Directive. Within the framework of the conformity assessment procedure according to the Machinery Directive2), the drives are to be differentiated, on the one hand, according to the “intended use” defined by the manufacturer and, on the other hand, according to the comprehensiveness of the delivery condition (“Does it fulfil the intended function without further ado or not?”).

The dependent accessories required for the drive, e. g. power supply units, controls, etc., which are purchased in direct connection with the drive and do not contain any moving

components of their own, are also subject to the Low Voltage Directive. Further documentation can be agreed between the customer and the manufacturer.

All cited standards must correspond to the valid dates of the EU Official Journals if they may be used for conformity assessment.

Test records and conformity documents for safety (LVD1))

Normative requirements

e. g. EN 15338, RAL-GZ 430/1-2, DIN EN 14749, EN 60335-1, EN 60335-2-103, EN 62233 [EMF]

Depending on the type of furniture, applicable EN standards for mechanical safety

EMC Directive3)

– Electromagnetic compatibility

EN 55014-1 (Household use)

EN 55014-2

EN IEC 61000-3-2

General principles:

RED Directive 2014/53/EU4)

Ecodesign Directive5) (ErP)

External power supplies

EN IEC 61000-3-3

or

EN IEC 61000-6-2/-3

Only relevant for devices with radio interface or connection to the telephone network

External AC/DC power supplies

Average efficiency:

If 1.0 W ≤ PO ≤ 51.0 W then 0.090 · ln(PO) + 0.500 shall apply. If PO > 51.0 W then 0.850 shall apply.

For no-load (idling)

PO ≤ 51.0 W 0.30 W

PO > 51.0 W 0.50 W shall apply.

PO = Output power according to nameplate

RoHS Directive6)

- Limitation of hazardous substances

WEEE Directive7)

- Take back / recycling / disposal

RoHS conformity of the drives must be demanded (as of 2013 usually by declaration of conformity).

WEEE specifics for the disposal and recycling of furniture with integrated electromechanical drives do not exist at the time of writing these notes.

IN PARTICULAR (labelling + accessories)

Intended

Operating equipment

LVD

12.3.3. Abbreviations and their meaning

1) LVD

DIRECTIVE 2014/35/EU OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 26 February 2014 on the harmonisation of the laws of Member States relating to electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage limits.

Scope of application: DC voltage: 75 to 1500 Volt, AC voltage: 50 to1000 Volt

2) DIRECTIVE 2006/42/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 17 May 2006 on machinery and amending Directive 95/16/EC (recast)

3) EMC Directive

DIRECTIVE 2014/30/EU OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 26 February 2014 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to electromagnetic compatibility and repealing Directive 89/336/EEC

4)RED Directive

Directive 2014/53/EU DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 05 June 2018 on radio equipment and telecommunications terminal equipment and the mutual recognition of their conformity

5) Ecodesign Directive

DIRECTIVE 2009/125/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 21 October 2009 establishing a framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for energy-related products (recast) together with COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 278/2009 of 6 April 2009 implementing Directive 2005/32/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to ecodesign requirements for the no-load power consumption of external power supplies and their average operating efficiency

6) RoHS Directive

DIRECTIVE 2011/65/EU OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 08 June 2011 on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (recast)

7) WEEE Directive

DIRECTIVE 2012/19/EU OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 04 July 2012 on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE

All the EU Directives cited have been transposed into national laws.

Normative and legal requirements

12.3.4 Installation in furniture Cabling / Connections / Sockets

- VDE 0620-101 “Euro plug” bipolar up to 2.5 A; usable in almost all of Europe (except Ireland / Great Britain)

- DIN VDE 0620-1 Plugs and sockets, extension cords, multiple socket strips for Germany (There are different national requirements for power plugs and sockets.)

- EN 60320 Device connectors (to be operated by laymen)

- EN 60799 Device connecting cables

Installation regulations (national in Germany):

VDE 0100 Part 713 (Electric installation in furniture)

VDE 0100 Part 701 (Electric installation in rooms with bathtub and shower

Labelling including declaration of conformity

CE label for complete extension cords

No CE for individual plugs according to national standards

Test records and conformity documents

- Declaration of conformity

- Test reports for the individual standards

- Private test labels/certificates

- GS mark with associated certificate (only for ready-to-use products, e. g. extension cords)

Safety

Low Voltage Directive (2014/35/EU), Product Safety Directive (2001/95/EC), Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC);

Product Safety Act (ProdSG): Implementation of Directives 2001/95/ EC and 2014/35/EU

Note: The individual plugs/sockets of the national mains systems in the household sector (e. g. Schuko) do not fall within the scope of the Low Voltage Directive (the General Product Safety Directive applies here). However, complete extension cords and multiple socket strips with these plug systems do fall within the scope of the Low Voltage Directive.

Instruction for use

Product Safety Act (ProdSG)

Requirements from directives and standards

Note: It is recommended to differentiate in the scope of application for consumers or professionals during assembly.

EMC – Electromagnetic Compatibility

Not relevant if EMC passive

ErP Directive – Energy consumption

Not relevant

Recycling RoHS and WEEE Directives

RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU

WEEE Directive 2012/19/EU

Further information for the installation in furniture:

Subsequent guidelines from the Gesamtverband der Deutschen Versicherungswirtschaft e. V. (German Insurance Association) can be found at: http://www.vds-industrial.de/service/suche/

Available only in German:

VdS 2324:

Richtlinien zur Schadenverhütung / Guidelines for loss prevention:

Niedervoltbeleuchtungsanlagen und –systeme / Low voltage lighting equipment and systems

VdS 2024:

Unverbindliche Richtlinien zur Schadenverhütung / Non-binding guidelines for loss prevention

Errichtung elektrischer Anlagen in Möbeln und ähnlichen Einrichtungsgegenständen / Erection of electrical installations in furniture and similar furnishings

https://shop.vds.de/de/produkt/vds-2024

12.4. Explanation of the term “force majeure”

Definition Deutsche Gütegemeinschaft Möbel e. V.

(Member of RAL German Institute for Quality Assurance and Labelling e. V.)

1. Definition

In general, the term "force majeure" is understood to mean an event that comes from outside, has no operational connection and cannot be averted even by the utmost diligence that could reasonably be expected (instead of many: BGHZ 100, 185). Events such as natural disasters (hurricanes, earthquakes or floods), (local) epidemics, pandemics, wars and political unrest are usually regarded as "force majeure". Official measures and warnings are also a strong indication of the existence of force majeure. 1

The supplier and the customer agree that the following circumstances are also to be attributed to force majeure:

o Transport and freight delays for which the supplier is not responsible (in particular in the event of delayed receipt despite timely handover of the goods from the Supplier to the transport person)

o Operational disruptions for which the supplier is not responsible or pandemic capacity reductions of any kind due to a lack of manpower, energy, preliminary products, raw materials and untimely or improper own preliminary supply of the supplier (interruption of the supply chains), which significantly change the economic significance or the content of the delivery or have a significant effect on the supplier's operations

o Damage at the supplier or his sub-suppliers caused by natural disaster

o Strikes or labour disputes including lawful lockouts

o Attacks on the supplier's IT system which are detrimental to the production process

o Delays for which the supplier is not responsible due to difficulties in obtaining the necessary official approvals

o In case of border closure or official measure, instruction, or warning

2. Legal consequences due to force majeure as defined under Item 1

A contracting party who is unable to deliver in accordance with the contract due to force majeure shall be obliged to inform the contractual partner immediately of the reason and the expected duration of the delay in delivery. At the request of the contractual partner, the supplier shall be obliged to explain the objective existence of the force majeure and the effects on the ability to deliver.

Contractual delivery periods shall be automatically extended by the duration of the hindrance due to force majeure. Other reasons for delay may not be taken into account. Claims for damages, contractual penalties, or termination/withdrawal from the contract due to the delay in delivery on account of force majeure may not be asserted.

In the event of delays in delivery due to force majeure, the contract shall be adjusted appropriately at the request of either party in good faith. Insofar as this is not economically justifiable from the supplier's point of view, the supplier shall have the right to withdraw from the contract.

Fürth, November 2021

1 Case law

Case law has ruled that the term “force majeure” within the meaning of travel law may include war, a terrorist attack, massive violent unrest (LG Frankfurt a. M. RRa 2015, 8; also BT-Drs. 8/2343, p. 12), a reactor accident (BGHZ 109, 224) or the outbreak of an epidemic such as SARS (AG Augsburg 14 C 4608/03).

12.5. Emission class for furniture according to RAL-RG 437

For the members of the DGM, healthy living has been a focus for many years. There has been great progress due to environmental protection and building refurbishment over the last few decades. Our homes have become increasingly tight due to thermal insulation systems and windows that seal properly. Natural air exchange is only possible through thorough ventilation or automatic ventilation systems, such as in low-energy houses or public buildings.

Pollutants can be emitted from a wide range of different products, such as building materials, adhesives, wallpaper, varnishes, furnishing materials or furniture. Therefore, all materials used indoors must be low in harmful substances and release as few emissions as possible into the ambient air.

In cooperation with leading testing institutes such as TÜV Rheinland and eco-INSTITUT, a group of DGM experts has developed emission classes for furniture. The objective was to develop a label that provides the consumer with the most important information on the emission profile in a simple way. This seems to be useful for a risk assessment in our opinion since the legislator does not specify limit values for many pollutants. Emission class A signifies a low risk of exposure to pollutants.

The emission label can be awarded to the following collections/models:

Seating furniture

Cabinet furniture

Tables

Office furniture

Slatted frames

Mattresses

Beds

The basic principles are stipulated in the RAL registration RAL-RG 437 Emission classes for furniture.

An emission label provides the consumer with information on pollutant emissions and is intended to protect the consumer from detrimental health effects. The emission label developed by the Deutsche Gütegemeinschaft Möbel e. V. refers to a collection / a model and is attached directly to the product/s. Proof of classification is based on appropriate pollutant tests, and the label is awarded exclusively by the Deutsche Gütegemeinschaft Möbel e. V.

12.6. Climate neutral furniture manufacturer for the furniture industry according to RALGZ 435

To mark their sense of responsibility towards climate change, furniture manufacturers can have themselves certified with regard to the Climate Pact. This provides consumers with an additional basis for decision-making, as it shows them that they are dealing with a piece of furniture whose manufacturer attaches importance to climate protection. In the further development of the climate pact, there is the possibility of being specially distinguished as a climate neutral furniture manufacturer. The award is made exclusively by the Deutsche Gütegemeinschaft Möbel e. V.

The foundation of the Climate Pact is a company's carbon footprint. Furniture manufacturers who join the pact have their “footprint” calculated annually by a neutral body on the basis of applicable standards. This footprint is made up of direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions.

Scope 1: Direct emissions of the company resulting from the consumption of primary energy sources

= Burning of fossil raw materials for energy production, heat generation, fuels for company-owned cars and trucks, process emissions, and refilling of cooling and air-conditioning systems.

Scope 2: Indirect emissions resulting from the generation of self-procured energy

= Secondary energy sources such as electricity, district heating, steam, or cooling energy.

Scope 3: All indirect emissions resulting from the operation of all daily business processes and the product life cycle

= Mining and processing of raw materials, consumables and supplies, upstream chains of fuels, thermal energy, process energy and electricity production, employee travel, external logistics, business flights, business travel incl. overnight stays, commercial waste, paper and cardboard consumption, water consumption.

The Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact

The Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact

1. Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights.

2. Businesses should make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses.

3. Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining.

4. Businesses should uphold the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour.

5. Businesses should uphold the effective abolition of child labour.

6. Businesses should uphold the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.

7. Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges.

8. Businesses should undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility.

9. Businesses should encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.

10. Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery.