Type testing (product safety)
The type test is the technical examination of a product. The aim of this check is to find out whether the product complies with the specifications , standards or guidelines and is suitable for the intended safety application. For this purpose, certain test procedures and test setups are developed to check the respective conformity .
Type tests can be carried out in the company's own testing facilities or, alternatively, many companies have their products checked by testing organizations. External testing organizations are, for example, TÜV , DEKRA or Intertek .
Structure of type tests
The structure of the type test usually consists of two parts: first, during the concept test, a concept is drawn up in accordance with the underlying standards. Furthermore, the product specifications and the exact requirements are defined.
In the second part, the main test, verification takes place with the following content, for example:
- Functional analysis
- Inspection of the documentation of the products
- Environmental audits
- electric security
Type testing according to EU standards
In Europe , product safety and conformity with EU standards is ensured by the following standards:
- EN standards (previously ISO standard )
- CENELEC standards based on standards of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)
Conformity with these European standards can be declared based on the corresponding type tests. The EU standards not only define the test requirements, but also the test results and test items to be achieved, such as “protective devices, safety components on machines / systems (...) drive controls with safety functions and bus systems”.
- Example stroller
In stroller the European standard EN 1888 applies and the following components must be tested in the type tests:
- materials
- Structure and stability
- Slider
- Parking brakes
- Latches
- Carrying handles
- Removable or swivel seat units
- Strength and durability of fasteners
- Restraint system and fasteners
- Strength of the wheels
- Behavior on irregular surfaces
- Dynamic strength
- Durability of the marking
- Plastic packaging and product information
Type testing according to Chinese standards
In the PR China , type tests carried out, for example, according to European standards are not recognized. Instead, it is required that type tests are carried out in accordance with Chinese standards in order to guarantee product safety and conformity with Chinese standards .
Until 2015, the type tests also had to be carried out in an accredited testing facility in China. Thus, European companies could not fall back on European testing organizations.
Since 2015, companies have been able to carry out type testing in their own testing facility. For this, certain criteria must be met:
- Test facility must be certified according to ISO standards ISO / IEC 17025 ( English General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories )
- a test engineer from the People's Republic of China has in the test to be present and either the type examination itself conduct ( Testing on Manufacturer's Premises ) or the correct execution of the test witness ( Witness Manufacturer's Testing )