TÜV Rheinland in the Netherlands: Recognition awarded as a test centre for automotive glass
13.10.2011Cologne/Apeldoorn
TÜV Rheinland Netherlands has received recognition from the national regulatory body Rijksdienst voor Wegverkeer (RDW) for testing of safety glass for use in vehicles in the European Union. With this recognition, the specialists at the TÜV Rheinland test centre in the Dutch city of Apeldoorn can test glass according to the guidelines of ECE 43 with regard to standardised technical specifications for vehicles in the EU. After successful testing, suppliers and manufacturers receive approval for their products in the European market. Recognised products can be identified by the test mark "E4" printed on the glass.
The tests for approval of safety glass, specially hardened glass, laminated glass or glass-plastic hybrids for vehicles are extensive. The experts carry out various mechanical load tests and fracture tests, heat resistance tests and tests with loads due to temperature changes, tests for UV radiation and light transparency as well as chemical analyses. Also included are tests for determining the reflectance and the double-image angle. Altogether, the test sequences for the acceptance of safety glass in automotive applications last several months. This is particularly due to environmental simulations in special climate chambers, in which the glass is subjected to large temperature swings between minus 80 degrees Celsius and plus 53 degrees Celsius over a period of several weeks. In this manner, the resilience of, and any changes in, the material can be determined.
With the accreditation as a test laboratory for automotive glass, the specialists at the test centre for glass products at TÜV Rheinland in the Netherlands are expanding their extensive range of services for manufacturers worldwide. For example, the experts also inspect glass packaging, windows, doors and glass facade elements with regard to their safety. In the EU, windows and doors must have the CE label, with which manufacturers document that requirements have been met in the areas of fracture strength, resistance to wind loads and insulation characteristics, for example. TÜV Rheinland also conducts these tests for all types of specialised glass as well as for bullet-proof glass.
As one of the leading global technical test service providers for quality and safety, TÜV Rheinland has established various competence centres in the Netherlands. The company operates locations and test centres in Apeldoorn, Eindhoven, Enschede, Helmond, Niekerk and Utrecht. Altogether, TÜV Rheinland employs more than 100 employees in the Netherlands.