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, which are widely used for labelling in Germany. RAL labels of quality have been a familiar concept in Germany since 1925. Whether for colours, more environmentally friendly products or logo licences – RAL stands for high quality standards and reliable performance. Through objective criteria and impartial judgement, RAL offers consumers security in their purchasing decisions.
As the sole awarding body for labels of quality in Germany, RAL determines the requirements for the respective RAL label of quality for each product group. Producers and suppliers, as well as trade, testing institutes and authorities, are involved in establishing the product- and performance-specific quality criteria.
Quality assurance for interior doors raised to a new level
PRÜM’s white lacquered doors comply with RAL colour standards. The surfaces in the white lacquered collection are based on the colours RAL 9010 and RAL 9016. However, the label of quality stands for much more than that. For interior doors made of wood and wood-based materials, the new RAL-GZ 426 defines the production requirements in the following ranges:
- Mechanical stress
- Surface resistance
- Hygrothermal stress
- Edge impact resistance
- Door leaves for damp and wet rooms
- Glass attachment to door leaves with glass openings
- Wet-room door 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 requirements for the quality of quality-assured products were already in place prior to the revision. “Given the high standards already required by the quality and testing regulations, the amendment is not a revolution, but rather an evolution towards the continuous improvement of the quality of door leaves and door frames,” explains Marco Müller. “Following intensive technical discussions and an evaluation of new test results, the existing controls were reviewed to ensure they remained up to date and certain aspects were further refined,” he continues.
Naturally, control in accordance with RAL GZ 426 has also already been completed for PRÜM interior doors. Since November 2020, following successful control by ift Rosenheim, they have borne the label of quality as proof of the products’ particularly high and consistent quality.
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 label of quality, PRÜM also carries out continuous in-house production checks on all quality-assured doors and door frames to ensure compliance with quality and testing requirements. It is during these in-house production checks that the doors and door frames demonstrate their durability.
A major step towards the future
As a producer, PRÜM prioritises quality, durability and resilience, as well as client satisfaction. “We know that our requirements are high and the controls are demanding. But whilst quality assurance is a complex process for producers, the results are equally resilient for consumers,” emphasises Marco Müller.
The certification of PRÜM interior doors with the RAL label of quality 426 represents an important step towards the future. PRÜM will continue to offer you high-quality products that win over consumers.
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