Securing of Cargo on Road Vehicles: European Standards

There are 3 key European Standards documents relating to the safe securing of loads, including EN 12640, EN 12641 and EN 12642.

Don-Bur can offer trailers and bodywork compliant with these standards, including curtainsiders and box vans.

Reference

HSE Guidelines For Load Security on Curtainsiders

DfT Safety Of Loads On Vehicles

Layman's guide to understanding EN12642-XL

EN Standards

 

EN 12640:2001: Securing of Cargo on Road Vehicles. Lashing Points on Commercial Vehicles for Goods Transportation: Minimum requirements and testing

The document specifies the minimum requirements and test methods for lashing points fitted to commercial verhicles and trailers with flatbed body construction of maximum total mass above 3,5 t and intended for general use.

 

EN 12641-1:2005: Swap bodies and commercial vehicles - Tarpaulins - Part 2: Minimum requirements for curtainsiders

This Standard specifies minimum requirements for the strength and attachment of curtainsiders tarpaulins used on swap bodies and road vehicles for goods transportation.

 

EN 12642:2006 L & XL: Securing of cargo on road vehicles - Body structure of commercial vehicles - Minimum requirements

The document specifies the minimum requirements and test methods for the body structure, e. g. side walls, end walls on commercial vehicles and trailers with a maximum total mass over 3,5 t.

The Standard allows for two types of trailer structure: L and XL. For the L-type, the curtain should not see any loading. A trailer designed and tested to the XL-type can utilise the curtain to provide a degree of load containment. The strength of the structure is proved by calculation, static testing and dynamic (driving) testing.

"Unless they are purposely designed according to EN12642-XL, the curtains of curtain-sided vehicles MUST NOT be considered as part of any load restraint system. If the curtains have been designed as a restraint system, the load capability should be clearly marked on the vehicle – if no mark can be seen, then it should be assumed that the curtain has NO load-bearing function.

Similarly, where vertical inner curtains are fitted and they are not purposely designed for a specific load, they also MUST NOT be considered as part of the load restraining system. Curtains and vertical inner curtains should be considered purely as a means of containing within the vehicle any small, loose items that may have become dislodged during the journey."