British / European Ladder Standards and Classification
Any Ladder used within the UK should be approved to British or European Classification Standards . The current standards which apply to ladders are as follows...
BS 1129:1990 (British) Applies to Timber Ladders
BS 2037:1994 (British) Applies to Aluminium Ladders
EN 131:1993 (European) Applies to both Timber and Aluminium Ladders
BS 7377:1994 (British) Applies to Step-Stools
Ladders Standard 1376 1000 (1986)
An important aspect of ladders quality and strength is the load rating - the maximum load which a ladders can safely support. Within the British Standard there are two classes of ladders - these are defined as Class 1 and Class 3.
The European Standard EN131 also specifies a safe working load which exceeds the Class 3 Standard but comes in below the British Class 1 Standard. (The EN131 standard actually covers an earlier Class 2 Light Trade Standard which is no longer used ) The ratings of these standards are as follows...
CLASS 1 (Industrial) Maximum static load - 175kg (27.5 stone)
EN131 (European Standard) Maximum static load - 150kg (23.5stone)
CLASS 3 (Domestic) Maximum static load - 125kg (19.5 stone)
Ladders should always be colour coded to ensure that the operator is aware of the standard of Ladder which is being used. These colour codes are as follows...
CLASS 1 : Blue
EUROPEAN STANDARD : Green
CLASS 3 : Red
British / European Ladder Standards and Classification
An important aspect of ladders quality and strength is the load rating - the maximum load which a ladders can safely support. Within the British Standard there are two classes of ladders - these are defined as Class 1 and Class 3. 
