Ladder Certification

British and European Ladder Certification Standards

All ladders manufactured and supplied within the United Kingdom and the European Union should be manufactured to specified standards and correctly classified. These requirements apply to all portable ladder types and include both step ladders, platform steps and extension ladders. Specialist single use ladders, (eg. pole ladders, loft ladders), and fixed access ladders, (eg. static roof access ladders), are not intended for classification under these standards.

There are three main classifications of ladder – Class 1, Class EN131 and Class III. Each classification indicates the safe working load that a ladder is designed to support.

The value of the safe working load is intended to cover the weight of a single person and their equipment and is also referred to as the 'Maximum Static Vertical Load'.

These classifications can be broadly categorised into the type of use that a ladder is designed to support ie. Heavy Duty Industrial Use, Commercial Light Trade Use and Light Domestic Use.

Ladders have also been previously classified under their 'Duty Rating'. These values, based upon the frequency of use and type of environment in which a ladder was used, were originally determined by the British Standards organisation. These values are now outdated by the most recent classifications and users should be aware that a Duty Rating does not provide an accurate measurement of a ladder's safe working load. Hence the value of the Maximum Static Vertical Load should be used to provide a more accurate indication of the relative strengths of different ladders.


The table below shows the three main ladder classifications...

Classification	Duty Rating	Maximum Static Vertical Load	Application
Class 1	130kg	175kg	Industrial
Class EN131	115kg	150kg	Commercial
Class III	95kg	125kg	Domestic

Ladders should be colour coded to provide a simple visual indication of their classification - Class 1 Ladders are commonly marked in blue, Class EN131 Ladders are commonly market in green or yellow and Class III Ladders are identified by the colour red. Colour identification is often used on the feet of ladders and steps and attached user instructions and warning labels.

Class 1 Ladders are the highest rated ladders in terms of strength and quality. These ladders are suitable for use in heavy duty industrial applications and environments.

The European Standard EN131 is a Europe wide classification and it replaces the old British Class II Ladder Standard. Within the UK this classification is known as BS EN131. Ladders of this type are most suitable for commercial light trade work or heavy duty DIY use.

Class III Ladders are only suited to occasional light domestic tasks and are definitely not suitable for use within any commercial or trade environment. Ladders-Direct do not recommend Class III ladders for domestic use and would advise users to purchase at minimum a BS EN131 quality ladder – this will provide much better service, a longer life and offer a significantly safer option than a lightweight domestic Class III ladder.

Within the three main ladder classifications described above there are a number of British Standards which relate directly to the ladder type. Relevant classifications are...

* BS 1129:1990 (British) Applies to Timber Ladders and Steps
* BS 2037:1994 (British) Applies to Metal and Aluminium Ladders and Steps
* BS EN 131:1993 (European) Applies to both Timber and Aluminium Ladders and Steps

Users should be aware that these Ladder Certifications and Classifications indicate minimum standards - good quality Ladders and Steps will exceed these standards.