No cause for concern

With the imminent withdrawal of PAS 23, and its anticipated replacement by BS 6375 Parts 1, 2 and 3, manufacturers have expressed some concern about the validity of their existing test evidence.

Chiltern Dynamics is reassuring clients that their PAS 23 test evidence will remain valid for a minimum of 12 months and probably considerably longer. According to Paul Andrews, head of section, mechanical testing, the door and window industry may not notice its absence until, for example, they require a test to be carried out, or submit test evidence for third-party certification.

He said, “There is no need to panic. For manufacturers, in practical terms, nothing has changed. It is anticipated that eventually the performance requirements of PAS 23 will covered by BS 6375 and the material specific standards bringing the standards into line with European test methods and requirements. There may be slight differences in how testing is carried out, but that is for us to manage and our customers will notice little difference.”

Mr Andrews stated that, in the meantime, PAS 23 test evidence would continue to be accepted ‘at the discretion of the certification bodies until February 2010, perhaps longer’. PAS 24 will remain in force, he added.

pandrews@chilterndynamics.co.uk