SIST EN 15338:2007/kFprA1:2009

Overview

EN 15338:2007/FprA1 is a CEN draft amendment to the European standard EN 15338:2007 - titled Hardware for furniture - Strength and durability of extension elements and their components. The amendment (FprA1, 2009) updates Annex A to align this standard with other product standards within CEN Working Group 8 (WG 8). Its purpose is to clarify product information requirements so furniture manufacturers and specifiers can reliably choose extension elements (e.g., drawer slides, runners, telescopic extensions) based on validated strength and durability data.

Key Topics and Requirements

• Scope: Focuses on strength and durability testing of furniture extension elements and their components.
• Product information (Annex A): Manufacturers must supply clear information to assist designers and manufacturers in selecting appropriate extension hardware.
• Field of application: Product documentation must state the material suitability of the extension elements (for example, suitability for solid wood, particle board, etc.).
• Test result reporting: The product information must include the relevant test results as referenced in Annex C (columns 1, 2 or 3). This ties performance claims to the standardized test outcomes defined in the main standard.
• Editorial clarification: Minor wording updates (e.g., changing “test results” to “the test results”) improve consistency and reduce ambiguity in documentation.

Applications and Practical Value

This amendment enhances practical use of EN 15338 in real-world settings:

• Furniture manufacturers and product developers use the standard to select and specify extension elements that meet required strength and durability levels for given furniture types.
• Designers and engineers rely on the material suitability information to ensure compatibility between hardware and furniture substrates (e.g., particle board vs. solid wood).
• Procurement teams and specifiers use the standardized test result disclosures to compare products objectively and to document conformity in technical files.
• Test laboratories and certification bodies reference the standard to interpret and report results consistently.
• Retailers and OEMs benefit from clearer manufacturer documentation when assessing warranty, performance claims, and lifecycles.

Related Standards

• This amendment aligns EN 15338 with other CEN WG 8 furniture product standards covering hardware and performance testing. For integrated compliance, consult other CEN furniture hardware standards and national implementations.

Keywords: EN 15338, hardware for furniture, extension elements, strength and durability, furniture hardware standard, product information, test results, Annex A, CEN, WG 8.