What do the colour signal red, the Blue Angel and Stiftung Warentest have in common? That's right - they are all part of the RAL standards, whose labelling standards are widely used in Germany. RAL quality marks have been a common term in Germany since 1925. Whether for colours, environmentally friendly products or logo licences - RAL stands for high quality standards and reliable performance. Through objective criteria and neutral assessment, RAL offers consumers reliable guidance when making purchasing decisions.
As the only awarding body for quality marks in Germany, RAL decides on the requirements for the respective RAL quality mark for each product group. Manufacturers and suppliers as well as retailers, testing institutes and authorities are involved in determining the product and performance-specific quality criteria.
Quality assurance for interior doors raised to a new level
PRÜM's white lacquer doors follow the RAL colour standards. The surfaces of the white lacquer collection are based on the RAL 9010 and RAL 9016 colours, but the quality mark stands for much more. For interior doors made of wood and wood-based materials, the newly adopted RAL-GZ 426 defines the requirements for production in the following areas:
- Mechanical stress
- Surface resistance
- Hygrothermal stress
- Edge joint strength
- Damp and wet room door leaves
- Glass connection on door leaves with light cut-out
- Mechanical stress
- Surface resistance
- Wet room frames
Evolution instead of revolution: New standards ensure even better quality
After two years of intensive work, the Quality and Test Specifications for fulfilment of the RAL Quality Mark 426 have been thoroughly revised by the Quality Committee of the Quality Association for Interior Doors. The new criteria specify which properties a door leaf or frame must have in order to be authorised to bear the RAL GZ 426 quality mark for special quality.
In his role as chairman of the quality committee, Marco Müller from PRÜM played a key role in this work and is delighted that the new regulations are now in force and are already being applied.
High quality requirements for quality-assured products already existed before the revision. "In view of the high standards already demanded by the quality and testing regulations, the amendment is not a revolution, but an evolution towards the continuous improvement of the quality of door leaves and frames," explains Marco Müller. "In intensive technical discussions and by analysing the latest test results, the previous tests were reviewed to ensure they were up to date and individual aspects were tightened up," he continues.
Of course, the RAL GZ 426 test has also already been completed for PRÜM interior doors. Since November 2020, following successful testing by the ift Rosenheim the quality mark as proof of the particularly high and consistent quality of the products.
Seal stands above all for customer satisfaction
At the centre of the RAL quality mark criteria are the needs of consumers and the fulfilment of their expectations. One thing in particular is especially important to customers: the resilience of the door leaf and door frame in everyday use.
"We subject the products to a stress test to assess their resistance and make it comprehensible for the customer. The quality-assured products therefore stand for a long service life and durability - and thus for long-lasting consumer satisfaction," emphasises Wolfgang Oswald (Chairman of the Quality Association).
Above all, the durability of the doors in everyday use is a key factor in consumers' purchasing decisions. Interior doors with the RAL quality mark can withstand changing climatic conditions, moisture and wetness as well as mechanical and chemical stresses on the surface.
As the holder of the RAL quality mark, PRÜM also carries out continuous, in-house production control of all quality-assured doors and frames to ensure compliance with the quality and testing regulations. The doors and frames demonstrate their resistance during factory production control.
A big step into the future
As a manufacturer, PRÜM prioritises quality, durability and resilience as well as customer satisfaction. "We know that our requirements are high and the tests are ambitious. But as time-consuming as quality assurance is for the manufacturer, the results are just as reliable for the consumer," emphasises Marco Müller.
The certification of PRÜM interior doors with the RAL Quality Mark 426 represents an important step into the future. PRÜM will continue to offer you high-quality products that impress consumers.
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