Compliance with the key Product Standards BS EN13101 (Steps) and BS EN14396 (Ladders) should be set as the lowest benchmark of performance. Use of any product failing to meet the minimum requirements may expose users to unacceptable health and safety risks and if done so knowingly, may also represent a failure to comply with the relevant legislation incurring a variety of penalties including fines and imprisonment.
It is highly likely that use of non-compliant products not only leads to added health and safety risks but will also offer a shorter service life and poorer whole life value.