The new European Regulation 2023/988 on General Product Safety, mandatory for ladder manufacturers and importers from December 13, 2024, aims to ensure safety and health in the use of portable ladders, stools, and work platforms by both users and professionals.
This regulation updates and revises the European framework on general product safety, repealing European Directive 2001/95/EC. The previous directive established safety standards for products marketed in the EU but did not fully consider technological advancements and changing consumer habits. This led to the uncontrolled commercialization of ladders with irregular markings and questionable origins, endangering user safety.
In 2023, Spain recorded over 22,000 workplace accidents caused by ladders, particularly affecting the construction, service, and gardening sectors. These figures highlight the need to prioritize safety not only in professional settings but also at home, where many users are unaware of the risks associated with using poorly maintained or low-quality ladders.
What are the obligations for ladder manufacturers under the new regulation?
To ensure that products marketed in the EU are compliant and safe, ladder manufacturers must meet several obligations, including:
Ensuring that products are designed and manufactured in accordance with general safety requirements
Manufacturers must guarantee that ladders pose no health or safety risks for users. This means designing safe products that comply with European standards and meeting the strictest quality certification requirements.
Analyse risks and prepare technical documentation with a general description of the products and the essential characteristics necessary to assess their safety
Manufacturers must inform consumers about the type of ladder, material, maximum load capacity, and intended use (professional or domestic). They must also provide details about structural design, safety measures, regulatory compliance, labelling (warnings on use limitations), and user manuals.
Ensure that products include a model or serial number that is easily visible and legible, and indicate their name, trade name, and contact information
To ensure traceability and facilitate communication between the customer and the manufacturer in case of any incident or claim, ladder manufacturers are required to provide users with information about both the product and the manufacturer.
Therefore, portable ladders, stools, or work platforms must clearly and visibly include the model or serial number, the manufacturer’s name, postal address, and email address. If space constraints prevent this information from being included directly on the product, it should appear on the packaging or in the accompanying document to ensure users can easily access it.
Take the necessary corrective measures to ensure that the product complies with safety requirements, including the possibility of withdrawing or recalling the product from the market
Ladder manufacturers are required to implement the necessary actions to correct any issues affecting the product’s safety. Therefore, if defects are detected during use or inspections, manufacturers must carry out corrective measures –such as changing production processes, adjusting the design, or changing manufacturing materials– to resolve the issue.
If the safety defect is serious and cannot be resolved, the product should be withdrawn from the market or recalled, asking users to return it. The “Safety Business Gateway” system has been created to improve communication between companies and authorities, enabling manufacturers and operators to report dangerous products and accidents.
Manufacturers must investigate any claims and information about accidents involving the products sold, keeping an internal record of product incidents and the corrective actions taken
This section aims to ensure that products marketed provide the highest level of safety during their useful life when performing work at height, requiring manufacturers to act quickly and effectively in addressing any safety-related problems.
At KTL-Ladders, we offer our customers and users safe, efficient, and innovative ladders, stools, and work platforms that comply with safety standards. Additionally, we implement manufacturing processes that guarantee stability and durability to ensure the highest safety when working at heights, offering solutions tailored to the client’s needs.
