Laboratories

AITEX has recently been approved by ENAC (The National Accreditation Body) as a Certification Body for Personal Protection Equipment in compliance with ISO/IEC 17065:2012.

AITEX has recently been approved by ENAC (The National Accreditation Body) as a Certification Body for Personal Protection Equipment in compliance with ISO/IEC 17065:2012 within EU Regulation 2016/425, under the following evaluation of conformity schemes: Module B (EU Type Examination), Module C2 (Conformity of type based on production monitoring plus random supervised product monitoring) and Module D (Conformity of Type based on production QA).

The scope of Approval 155 C-PR364 granted to AITEX can be viewed on ENAC’s website (www.enac.es) covering the scope, products and hazards that AITEX can test. AITEX is also registered as Notified Body number 161 on the European Commission’s website (nando).

This new approval enables AITEX to provide certification of category II and III PPEs as both types require the application of Module B and, in the case of Category III, either Module C2 or D.

Depending on the evaluation procedure within (EU) 2016/425 which the client requires AITEX to test for as a Notified Body:

Module B: the EU Examination of Type is the part of the evaluation procedure that a Notified Body uses to approve the technical design of a PPE, verifying and certifying that the design complies with essential health and safety requirements required by the Regulation.

Module C2: the Notified Body will test the product to verify the QA procedures during manufacture and the homogeneity of the PPE and its conformity with the type described on the EU Type Examination Certificate and applicable health and safety requirements.

Module D: the Notified Body will evaluate the internal QA system to verify compliance with the requirements referred to in para. 3.2 Annexe VIII. It shall presume conformity with those requirements in respect of the elements of the quality system that comply with the corresponding specifications of the applicable harmonised standard.

The accreditation process integrated the requirements of ISO / IEC 17065: 2012 to the systems that AITEX previously applied, to certify under the conformity assessment schemes of Module B and C2 Personal Protection Equipment, establishing for these products the application procedures for Module D, which AITEX had previously only used for Marine Equipment. Thus, by integrating systematics with different scopes, AITEX has standardised within a single Accreditation Scope, the certifications for which it is approved, specifically in 155 C-PR364. For further details, visit the official ENAC website.

For more information:

ENAC: www.enac.es

European Commission:  Notified bodies nando

More than 2300 professionals from the cosmetic industry gathered at the 4th Cosmetorium fair held on October 23 and 24 at the Fira Montjuïc in Barcelona. This year is the second time AITEX has participated, and the fair covered a much larger exhibition space than previous years. 137 exhibitors, both national and international, who presented their new launches, products and services, supported the event: 13% more than the previous year.

Cosmetorium represents the largest showcase for the sector in our country. Manufacturers’ innovations and launches marked the new trends within the industry, with a clear commitment to conscious, responsible and sustainable cosmetics throughout the cosmetics manufacturing chain.

Within the scientific program organised by Cosmetorium, AITEX gave a conference on electro-spinning technology and its applications in cosmetics, which proved popular and generated considerable interest among leading companies in the sector. Electrospinning allows a new generation of nonwovens to be created, in a network of intertwined nanofibres. In the cosmetic sector, technology is used to manufacture masks or patches with active compounds, which dissolve and become absorbed completely during use, without creating waste.

AITEX also participated in the Tech Focus program on innovation in efficiency and effectiveness tests for hair care products, which was attended by leading companies in the sector who wanted to learn first-hand the range of innovative trials AITEX can provide.

AITEX has a stand at the leading health and safety in the workplace fair in Düsseldorf from the 5th to the 8th November 2019

AITEX will be in Hall 4 Stand 4F01, introducing all the certification and testing services it offers in personal protective equipment. The A + A Fair actively contributes to progress and innovation for the benefit of people and businesses, and is the leading fair in occupational safety and health.

AITEX’s advanced protection equipment laboratory

At  the Textile Technological Institute (AITEX), we strive to continue innovating and improving the services we provide, focusing our attention on the evolution of our laboratories towards aspects of Personal Protective Equipment that were previously beyond our remit. The Institute’s laboratories have been working for many years as a Notified Body in the evaluation of the conformity of PPE in the form of gloves, clothing and harnesses. Taking this invaluable experience as a base, and seeking to meet customer demand, we have been working to provide our laboratories with the necessary equipment to evaluate PPE for Eye and Facial Protection, Respiratory, Head Protection and Evaluation of Dielectric Gloves for high voltage work.

Global and comprehensive eye and face protection service

AITEX will be present at Cosmetorium in Hall -1 stand 235 on the 23rd and 24th October at the Palau de Congresos in Barcelona.

Cosmetorium is an event created by the Spanish Society of Cosmetic Chemists (SEQC) to create an all-round forum on the formulation, manufacture and distribution of cosmetics in response to the needs of the sector, and to highlight Spain’s importance as a centre of excellence in the cosmetics industry.

AITEX has a long tradition in applied chemistry in the textile industry and can now apply this expertise and potential to the world of cosmetics. The Institute is fully equipped with the latest and most sophisticated laboratory facilities and pilot plant and the Cosmetic’s Technical Unit is able to provide highly innovative R+D services to the cosmetics industry.

More information: 

AITEX: www.aitex.es/cosmetica

Cosmetorium: www.cosmetorium.es/

AITEX will be at the leading health and safety at work fair in Düsseldorf from the 5th to the 8th November 2019.

You will find AITEX in Hall 4 Stand 4F01, where we will be promoting our testing and certification services for PPEs. The A+A Fair makes a huge contribution to progress and innovation to the benefit of individuals and companies and is the world’s foremost health-and-safety-at-work fair.

AITEX’s Advanced Protection Equipment Laboratory

It is our stated objective at AITEX to keep on innovating and improving our services by focusing our attention on evolving our laboratory facilities to cover items of Personal Protection Equipment that we cannot certify at present. We have worked steadily for years as a Notified Body on the evaluation and conformity of PPEs such as gloves, articles of clothing and harnesses. This experience has become a cornerstone for our work responding to the needs of our clients and is the basis for the continuous improvements and refitting of our laboratory facilities to cover a wider range of PPEs including Eye and Facial protection, Breathing, Protective Head Gear and Dielectric Gloves for high voltage work.

EU Certification of Type

Before a PPE can be sold in Europe, it must comply with the health and safety requirements set out in Law 2016/425, via the evaluation of conformity procedure: EU Type Examination.
Using the procedure, the Notified Body will not only evaluate a prototype PPE through harmonised testing but will also evaluate its technical documentation, the information booklet which accompanies it and any labels and markings which are attached. A product that successfully passes the EU Type Examination will be issued with an evaluation report and an EU Certification of Type by the Notified Body.
Either of the following two options will accompany the EU Certification of Type:

• Type Conformity based on an internal production control and random supervised testing (module C2).
• Type Conformity based on production QA (module D)

More information: 

AITEX: www.aitex.es/equipos-de-proteccion-individual-lab

A+A: aplusa-online.com

The need to protect ourselves from the sun and the irreparable damage it causes to our skin is a common topic in the media and skin care articles. According to researchers, Spain is one of the European countries that will suffer the most from the consequences of climate change in the coming years.

Studies indicate that future summers will be hotter and longer, and that winters will be warmer . Good news for the development and sales of sunscreen products that are about to go on the market. Historically, sales of these products are associated with the summer months, but these predictions are expected to alter consumer trends, making sales less seasonal.

The social implications of sunlight

Sunlight has always played a fundamental role in human evolution as the synthesis of vitamin D, essential to bone development, needs sunlight. Although the human body has melanin that acts as a physical and chemical barrier to the harmful effects of UV rays, it does not provide enough protection. Every day more is known about the harmful effects (both visible and invisible), caused by sunlight on the skin yet many people are still ignorant of the dangers of daily exposure to radiation without protection.

Throughout history, having paler skin was a symbol of distinction, separating the upper class from working class, who were tanned from working outdoors under the sun without any protection.

In the early twentieth century, scientific advances revealed the therapeutic benefits of sunlight and many experts began to recommend sunbathing for numerous diseases. Almost overnight, European high society decided that having pale skin was no longer attractive, creating an industry of fashionable cosmetics.

New services

AITEX has incorporated and developed cutting-edge equipment to measure the sun protection factor of solar products both “in vivo” and “in vitro”.

The equipment allows us to carry out multiple high performance SPF (Sun Protection Factor) tests and dermatological studies quickly. The simulators meet the latest spectral irradiation standards: ISO – International Organization for Standardization, FDA – Food and Drug Administration, JCIA – Japan Cosmetic Industry Association and COLIPA – The European Cosmetic and Perfumery Association.

In addition, the systems are fully integrated for a fast, efficient and accurate analysis of the UV transmittance of sunscreens, liquids, lotions, creams, textiles, spray, gels, powders, emulsions, etc.

With over 25 years’ experience, OEKO-TEX® leads the world in certifying manufacturers and products and educating consumers to protect our planet through responsible decisions. OEKO-TEX® provides standardised solutions that optimise manufacturing processes and offer high quality and more sustainable products. All products in the OEKO-TEX® portfolio reinforce customer systems, processes and products and, ultimately, help create more sustainable businesses. To date, 10,000 manufacturers, brands and retailers in almost 100 countries are working with OEKOTEX® to ensure that their products have been screened for potentially harmful substances, and millions of consumers worldwide look for OEKOTEX® labels before making their purchasing decisions.

LEATHER STANDARD by OEKO-TEX®

In 2017, OEKO-TEX® launched the LEATHER STANDARD by OEKO-TEX®. The Standard is a worldwide testing and certification system for leather and leather goods at all production levels, and includes crust, finished leather, leather clothes, leather gloves, belts, bags and accessories.
The certification is part of the OEKO-TEX® Association’s products and services portfolio. The most frequent and worrying substances found in leather goods are arylamines, chromium (VI), formaldehyde, pentachlorophenol and cadmium, all of which can be detected and controlled by LEATHER STANDARD by OEKO-TEX®.

Like STANDARD 100 by OEKOTEX®, the certification is valid for a year, can be extended if the applicant so requests and distinguishes between four kinds of products. The longer a product is in contact with the skin and the more sensitive the skin, the stricter the limits that must be met.
• Product class I: Products for babies and children up to 3 years of age (leather garments, leather gloves, etc.)
• Product class II: Products in direct contact with the skin (leather trousers and jackets, leather underwear, etc.)
• Product class III: Products without direct skin contact (lined leather jackets / coats, leather bags, leather belts, etc.)
• Product class IV: Decoration and furniture materials (leather upholstery covers, etc.)

STeP by OEKO-TEX® for leather manufacturers

Today’s consumers demand not only high quality leather and leather textile products, but increasingly require that these products are safe for health, respect the environment and are manufactured using socially responsible production methods. Therefore, OEKO-TEX® has extended the STeP by OEKO-TEX® certificate for leather producers, which certifies that the production of leather is completely sustainable.
The objective of the certification system is that the production processes remain environmentally friendly and promote the improvement of the health and safety of consumers, and the socially responsible working conditions of companies throughout the supply chain. The STeP by OEKO-TEX® certification criteria are regularly updated to certified companies, thus there is a continuous improvement in environmental aspects and social responsibility, which strengthens the economic situation and competitiveness of certified companies.
Requirements and evaluation criteria for the Certificate
STeP by OEKO-TEX® certification requires conformity with the following modules:
STeP by OEKO-TEX® evaluates the conformity of the entire production chain.

TEXTILE MANUFACTURE

• Dry and wet spinning, twisting and processes related to fabrics

• Wovens, non-wovens, non-woven production processes and related processes
• Pre-treatments, dyeing, printing, finishing and processing
• Making up textile articles
• Accessory manufacture (zips, buttons, labels)
• Foam and mattress manufacture
• Textile logistics
• Others (e.g. fibre production)

LEATHER AND HIDE PRODUCTION

• Beamhouse • Leather finishing • Retannage, tanning and greasing • Leather and hide logistics

Steps to obtaining certification
In order to obtain the STeP by OEKO-TEX® the following stages must be passed:

1. REQUEST CERTIFICATION. Complete the application form on the OEKO-TEX® website.
2. ONLINE EVALUATION TOOL. Fill in the online form
3. ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION. Evaluation by the OEKO-TEX® STeP auditing team
4. COMPANY AUDIT. The OEKO-TEX® STeP auditor will verify the data submitted on the evaluation tool.
5. EVALUATION. Corrective actions and OEKO-TEX® STeP auditor support
6. CERTIFICATION AND FINAL REPORT. OEKO-TEX® prepares a detailed final report

STeP by OEKO-TEX® allows a manufacturer to look at their manufacturing conditions in depth along the entire value chain from the viewpoint of sustainability.

The advantages of STeP by OEKO-TEX®

Brands and retailers.
STeP allows companies to search for suppliers worldwide that meet responsibility, environmental and social protection requirements. This means that the entire supply chain has a clear and deep-seated commitment to the STeP values offering clear advantages to the end user.

Textile, leather and hide manufacturers.
The advantages it offers to manufacturers is that it significantly increases the efficiency of their production processes. The certification system helps them position themselves in terms of sustainability and social responsibility while in addition, identifying areas where improvements can be made.
STeP by OEKO-TEX® for leather producers is an independent certification that certifies that the production conditions are sustainable, and contributes to improving corporate image, which in turn allows the company to develop new markets and suppliers.
If you are interested in applying for any type of OEKO-TEX® certificate, contact AITEX, an OEKO-TEX® member Institute.

For more information: www.aitex.es/certificaciones

Si está interesado en solicitar cualquier tipo de certificado OEKO-TEX®, puede contactar con AITEX, Instituto miembro de OEKO-TEX®.
Más información en: www.aitex.es/certificaciones

UV STANDARD 801 is an independent testing and certification system with which textiles can be evaluated, certified and labelled according to how effectively they protect against UV rays.

Sun exposure: prevention

Excessive exposure to the sun can have harmful effects on health. Ultraviolet radiation is the main cause of the harmful effects of solar radiation on the body, which can cause immediate damage, from a slight reddening of the skin to burns, or injuries both immediate (skin reddening) and more long-term (skin cancer). There is no longer any doubt about the danger of prolonged exposure to the sun; it is essential for consumers to be aware of the need to take all necessary precautions to avoid the consequences of cumulative solar radiation, especially with babies and toddlers. Most textile manufacturers are greatly interested in the problems and the dangers of exposure to sunlight and the protection that can be provided by textile, since consumers want to choose textiles that guarantee a high level of UV protection.

UV STANDARD 801 Certification

UV STANDARD 801 certification is for any type of fabric that will be in prolonged contact with sunlight, regardless of its composition, structure or colour: swimsuits, sportswear, caps, etc. there are two product categories depending on use:
• Class I: Fabrics for clothing
• Class II: Fabrics for shade

The Standard was developed in 1999 by the International Association of Testing for Protection against UV Radiation. The certification process measures the UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor), which specifies the sun protection factor of textile materials. Textiles with UV protection provide an extremely effective barrier against UV rays. Depending on the substrate used, they can provide a UPF of up to 80.

AITEX’s mission is to continue to innovate and improve the services we provide by concentrating on the evolution of our laboratory facilities for PPE’s which were outside the scope of our original remit. As a Notified Body, we have worked for years evaluating the conformity of PPE’s such as gloves, clothing and harnesses. Harnessing our experience to meet our clients’ demands, we have strived to equip our laboratories with the most up to date equipment to evaluate PPEs designed for eye, facial and respiratory protection, helmets and dielectric gloves for high-tension power line workers.

There are many different types of risk factors which could affect an operator’s eyesight at work and the right type of PPE must be selected for a given health and safety risk.

Another risk to which operators may be exposed, and of no less importance, is that of lung diseases contracted from breathing contaminated or oxygen-deficient air at work. The employer must provide operators with respiratory protection as a preventative measure whenever necessary, as risks may cause irreversible harm or even death, and this type of PPE is classified as Type III.

Type III PPEs provide protection in high-tension work, and the use of insulating gloves and sleeves is obligatory in any work environment where the risk exists. The laboratory performs non-destructive testing to current standards to individually test PPEs before use and then again six months later to ensure that the article continues to provide the class of protection for which it has been designed.

Last but not least is head protection: the head houses different vital organs that need protecting  and which are exposed to different risks including mechanical injuries such as trauma and impact, noise, vibration, electromagnetic radiation, electricity, aerosols, particle vapours etc.

AITEX has extended its scope as a Notified Body to cover the evaluation of different filtration and respiratory equipment. To meet these wider needs, the Institute has recently installed a range of testing equipment to comply with the various standards necessary to certify a whole array of protective equipment.

Requirements for helmets

The minimum requirements that a helmet must comply with depend on the degree and nature of the risk. According to the EU’s harmonised list of standards, the following apply to helmet certification:

• EN 397:2012+A1:2012 Industrial Safety Helmets
• EN 50365:2002 Insulating helmets for use on low voltage installations
• EN 812 Industrial bump caps
• EN 14052 High performance industrial helmets
• EN 443:2008 Helmets for firefighting in buildings and other structures
• EN 966:2012+A1:2012 Helmets for airborne sports
• EN 1077:2007 Helmets for alpine skiers and snowboarders
• EN 1078:2012+A1:2012 Helmets for pedal cyclists and for users of skateboards and roller skates
• EN 12492:2012 Mountaineering equipment. Helmets for mountaineers. Safety requirements and test methods

Ocular and facial protection requirements

Harmonised standard EN 166:2001 specifies the necessary requirements for a PPE to be certified as offering protection against a range of risks, and further classifies the PPE as optical (EN 167: 2001) and non-optical (EN 168:2001). The first category covers properties including transmittance, optical power and light diffusion.

Obligatory requirements include the following tests: incremental resistance, resistance to ageing, stability in high temperatures, UV resistance, resistance to corrosion and fire, and others.

Specific requirements depend on the type of protectors and particular protection against different risks including: optical radiation, impact by high speed particles, molten metal, burning solids, liquid splashes and drips, large dust particles, gases and fine particles, electric arc flash and side protection. Electrical arc flash is tested under GS ET 29 and performed at AITEX’s Madrid facilities.

Optional requirements include resistance to surface deterioration by fine particles, fogging, protection with high IR reflectance and impact by high-speed, high-temperature particles.

Requirements for respiratory protection

Filtering respiratory equipment can comprise the following components:

1. Face adaptor + filter

– Face adaptor:

• Full mask (EN 136).
• Half or quarter mask (EN 140)

– Filters:

• Particle filter (EN 143)
• Gas filter, gas and particle filter (EN 14387)

– Masks without inhalation valves and with detachable gas filters, gas and particle filters or particle only filters (EN 1827)

2. Self-filtering mask

– Self-filtering masks can be fitted with a valve or not:

• Against particles (EN 149)
• Against gases and gases and particles (EN 405)

Requirements for insulating gloves and sleeves

AITEX tests safety equipment made of elastomers for electrical work (rubber and latex, synthetic, natural or combined).

Insulating gloves are covered by EN 60903:2003 + C1:2003 + C2:2005 and are categorised as below:

• Insulating gloves (IG).
• Composite gloves (with mechanical properties) (CG).
• Long composite gloves (LG).

Classification by special properties are designated as follows:

• A    Acid
• H    Oil
• Z    Ozone
• R    Acid, oil and ozone
• C    Very low temperatures

Insulating sleeves are covered by EN 60984:1992 and IEC 60984:2014 and are categorised as below:

• Straight sleeve
• Curved or angled sleeve

Classification by special properties are designated as follows:

• A    Acid
• H    Oil
• Z    Ozone
• S    Oil and ozone
• C    Very low temperatures

EU Certification of Type

Before any PPE can be marketed in the EU it must meet the health and safety requirements laid out in EU Standard 2016/425, through the following evaluation of conformity procedure: EU Examination of Type (module B).

Through the procedure, the Notified Body not only evaluates the prototype of the PPE using harmonised testing procedures, but also its technical documentation, the information leaflet accompanying the article and its labelling. Once approved, the Notified Body will issue an evaluation report and an EC Certificate of Type.

The EU Certificate of Type will be issued together with either of the following options:

•  Conformity of type based on an internal production appraisal and random supervised production QA checks (module C2) 
•  Conformity of type based on production QA testing (module D)

AITEX has recently been approved and notified to test, evaluate and certify personal respiratory protection equipment under module B and to issue the EU Certificate of Type. The Institute has also been approved to evaluate Category III PPEs (module C2); which requires AITEX to undertake random production testing at least once a year, and at the latest a year after issuing the certificate to verify production homogeneity and the PPE’s conformity with that described in its EU Certificate of Type. Once each step has been completed, the manufacturer must then display the EC kite mark on its products, in compliance with the EU’s harmonised requirements and may then market the articles.

Protection equipment in this category, and the EC mark, must show the identification number of the Notified Body that carries out the production QA testing and be accompanied by a Declaration of Conformity in accordance with annexe VI, Standard 2016/425, for each PPE model.

More information: 

AITEX’s Advanced PPE Testing Laboratory israel.soriano@aitex.es 

Maritime transport is a market in continuous growth and most articles connected with it require special certification. Among other requirements, any article must pass safety standards which are covered by international agreements.

Health and safety in international maritime transport

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) is the UN’s specialised agency that deals with the safety and protection of international maritime transport and the prevention of marine pollution by ships. It was created by virtue of an agreement adopted on March 17, 1948 in Geneva, under the auspices of the United Nations, and met for the first time in January 1959. It currently has 172 Member States.

In the beginning, its remit revolved around the drawing up of international agreements and regulations on safety and prevention of marine pollution. The first task of the IMO when it was created in 1959, was to adopt a new version of the International Convention for the Safety of Human Life at Sea (SOLAS Convention), the most important of all maritime safety treaties.

The main objective of the SOLAS Convention is to establish minimum standards for the safety of the construction, equipment and use of ships. Flag States are responsible for ensuring that ships flying their flag comply with the provisions of the Convention, which prescribes the issuance of a series of certificates as proof that this has been done.

The global dimension of shipping requires the European Commission to implement and support the international regulatory framework for maritime safety.

Harmonisation across the EU solves these problems. Directive 2014/90 / EU together with Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/773 and other international instruments, establish common rules to eliminate differences in the application of international standards through a series of clearly identified requirements and uniform certification procedures.

The free movement of goods is a cornerstone of the European single market and the EU has developed original and innovative instruments to eliminate barriers to the free movement of goods. The mechanisms established to achieve this objective are based on the prevention of new obstacles to trade, mutual recognition and technical harmonisation.

MarED (Marine Equipment Directive)

The Marine Equipment Directive (MarED) provides a framework for coordination and cooperation between its members, the Commission and observers in the implementation of the Maritime Equipment Directive. It is the intention of MarED to be a conduit for the exchange of information among the members and to harmonise technical aspects. In addition, MarED aims to resolve areas of doubt to enable a consensus to be reached on the procedures of EC-type examination and type examination modules in order to avoid differences between Notified Bodies.

AITEX’s role as a Notified Body

AITEX is Notified Body number 0161 and can issue marine equipment certificates for fire protection, accredited under EN ISO/IEC 17065:2012 and is recognised by the IMO. The Institute is approved to issue certificates for the following articles:

• MED/3.1: Primary deck coating
• MED/3.3: Firefighting equipment: Protective clothing (immediate proximity)
• MED/3.5: Firefighting equipment: Gloves
• MED/3.13: Non-combustible material
• MED/3.18: Flame-retardant surfaces and floor coatings
• MED/3.19: Upholstery, curtains and other hanging textiles
• MED/3.20: Upholstered furniture
• MED/3.21: Bedding

For more information:
AITEX’s Fire Behaviour Laboratory: cdolza@aitex.es