What does the TS no.53420-2021 number on the NOTCH Rope Runner Pro refer to? Let's break it down.
The same TS number is etched onto all Rope Runner Pro's currently in production. 'TS' is the European Standard acronym for Technical Specification.
In tree climbing equipment (and other gear), manufacturers can produce a Technical Specification when there is no immediate need for a European Standard or when the technology is not mature enough to develop a standard.
When a product doesn't fit neatly into a recognised EN Standard, the manufacturer can negotiate with the CE test laboratory. Often, the process involves a combination of various parts of recognized EN Standards, allowing the manufacturer to create a unique TS for their product. NOTCH, for instance, references EN395:2005 as the base EN Standard document for the Rope Runner Pro.
EN395:2005 outlines the basic requirements for using, maintaining, examining, repairing, marking, and packaging personal protective equipment (PPE), including body-holding devices (like the Rope Runner Pro) and related gear to prevent falls, assist in access and work positioning, and facilitate rescue operations. This regulation ensures that the equipment is reliable and safe.
Technical Specifications need less time to develop and do not require adoption by the national members. Unlike European Standards, Technical Specifications do not require circulation for public comment (CEN Enquiry). However, a Technical Specification can be converted into a European Standard when ready.
Each Technical Specification is assigned a reference number. For the Rope Runner Pro, this number is 53420.
The 2021 following the TS number refers to the date of acceptance; in the case of the Rope Runner Pro, that date is 26 January 2021. This date is significant because it marks when the Technical Specification for the Rope Runner Pro was accepted, indicating that the product met the necessary safety and quality standards, so important in international events like the ITCC.
The CE logo is followed by the test laboratory number; in this case, 1019 refers to VVUU, which is located in the Czech Republic.
