In November 2015 a new European standard for ladders was published. EN 131-1:2015 Ladders - terms, types, functional sizes supersedes EN 131-1:2007+A1:2011which is withdrawn.

The new standard contains modifications compared to the old standard in order to improve the stability of ladders in use.

The main changes to the revised standard are:

  • in figures stabilisers or wider base width for leaning ladders were introduced;
  • further terms 3.48, 3.49 and 3.50 for stabilisers were added in Clause 3;
  1. bar type stabiliser
  2. lateral type stabiliser
  3. pole type stabiliser
  • Requirements for minimum base width for leaning rung ladders and leaning step ladders were specified in 4.2.1 Table 2 and Table 6.
  1. The minimum permanently available base width for leaning rung ladders and leaning step ladders shall be derived from the formula b2 contained in Table 2 and Table 6

This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, at the latest by May 2016, and conflicting national standards shall be withdrawn at the latest by November 2016.

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