From the 1st January 2019, all ladders, stepladders and platform ladders sold in the UK have to comply with BS EN 131, rather than the previous British Standard.
Although UK based manufacturers have previously produced most of their products according to British Standards, BS2037 and BS1129 (class 1 and class 3 ladders), the new ladder standard requires suppliers to change from industrial and domestic regulations to meet the product standards of the European law, EN 131. This is to ensure that all ladder equipment complies nationally with non-professional (class 3) and professional (class 1) standards.
In advance of this standard coming into play, we developed all our ladders, stepladders and platform ladders to comply with EN 131. Our long-standing partnership with Altrex, has allowed us to provide equipment compliant with EN 131 due to their 65 years of experience producing ladders and stepladders according to the European Standards.
The main benefits of the new ladder standard help to ensure that all ladders have stronger durability (domestic vs professional) and have the same minimum capacity of 150kg. The three safety requirements updated as part of the new standards include:
Fortunately, old ladders that are in good condition can still be used, however, they must be regularly inspected to guarantee their safety.
You can buy or hire a new ladder in line with EN 131 directly from us at Pop Up Products, or alternatively, contact our list of trusted hire partners across the UK and Ireland. Always ensure you’re using the correct ladder required for the work involved and have adequate experience and training to use it safely.
With the new regulation in place, if you require any training to use a ladder or access tower, book a course to demonstrate you know how to use the equipment safely and professionally. Visit our training page to learn more about our courses.
For more information on the change in ladder standards, visit the Ladder Association.
