TUV – the new safety benchmark?
Laser safety is a priority for laser system manufacturers, distributors and users. That’s why an accreditation that focuses entirely on validating the safety of products of all kinds to protect users and the environment against hazards is something to be aspired to.
TÜVs, short for the German, Technischer Überwachungsverein (in English, Technical Inspection Association), began as a German private sector regulatory body in 1866 in Mannheim, exactly 150 years ago. Its original mandate was for the safety of steam engines and boilers. Similar TÜV associations then followed the Mannheim example and established themselves in industrial centres throughout Germany.
Accident Prevention
Because of their success in preventing steam accidents, these associations were trusted with other inspection tasks. In recent years, the associations have evolved through a progress of mergers into TÜV SÜD, a global provider of technical services. Several other TÜV companies share the TÜV trademark; all those who do are members of the TÜV Trademark Association.
A More Stringent Standard
The TÜV SÜD Mark is an extension of both the ISO and EN accreditations. It is a more stringent certification process than either of these accreditations and allows those organisations awarded the Mark to demonstrate to their respective marketplaces:
- compliance with all applicable legislation
- on-going surveillance of production facilities
- proof of product performance
- Quality Management System details
One of the first laser system manufacturers to receive the TÜV SÜD accreditation is our product partner, Alpha Laser.
Alpha Laser
Alpha Laser are laser welding specialists and their accreditation involves the functional safety of machinery standards, EN ISO 13849-1 which replaces EN 954-1. This was withdrawn in 2011 because state-of-the-art technology had overtaken the standards it set.
The continuous revolution in today’s technology demands that newer, more advanced standards are required to ensure machine safety. It seems that TÜV will now become the benchmark.
If you would like to know more about Alpha Laser’s TÜV SÜD accreditation and their range of laser welding, mobile laser welding and laser hardening systems, please contact sales@tlm-laser.com