TÜV SÜD: Improved safety through dynamic testing of securing of cargo

Packaging, lash points, body structure – securing of cargo is one of the central issues in TÜV SÜD's portfolio of services for the logistics industry. From mid-2012 onwards, the service provider will also offer dynamic road testing of the securing of cargo, thus contributing to improved safety in the areas of logistics, distribution and transport. By adding this new test method, TÜV SÜD is further expanding its services for the logistics industry, aiming at assisting companies in making the most of their economic and ecological resources.

The logistics industry is a high-growth sector. Heavy-duty transport in particular has increased continuously over recent years. Forecasts estimate that the number of trucks on German roads will increase markedly by 2030. More heavy-duty transport automatically also means more road safety hazards, with incorrect loading of cargo heading the list of problems. According to Germany's Ministry of Transport the cargo on up to 70 per cent of the trucks on German roads is not or only inadequately secured. New more practice-focused requirements such as the dynamic road test, which is part of the revised EN 12642 standard on body structures of commercial vehicles and comprises braking manoeuvres, lane-change tests and various tests of entering and exiting a roundabout, are designed to counteract this trend. Dieter Roth, Senior Project Manager Truck Services at TÜV SÜD: "Heavy-duty transport has been steadily rising for years. Given this, we now plan to expand our services for the logistics industry more widely in order to offer our clients, from logistics to forwarding and commercial vehicle rental companies, even better support in the future. Central issues in this context are securing of cargo and the associated load distribution plan."

The service targets international logistics companies, manufacturers of vehicles and body structures, fleet owners and truck drivers. The range of services extends from consulting, weakness analysis, testing and certification of various load securing aids, including belts or fastening elements, to repeat tests and expert witness reports for submission to courts and authorities. TÜV SÜD's experts provide product-related training and refresher courses to keep truck drivers up to date with the latest developments. This applies to all persons in a company who are involved in transport.

The range of services related to the body structure of commercial vehicles extends from testing of the body structure and lash points to dynamic road tests and certification of single components, including tarpaulins, in accordance with the EN 12641-1/-2 standard. The EN 12642 standard defines the minimum loads that body structures of commercial vehicles and trailers with a gross vehicle weight rating of over 3.5 tonnes must withstand. The services surrounding securing of cargo also include review of the relevant standards, process analysis, process optimization and quality management.

Securing of cargo is not only addressed within the context of the service portfolio of logistics companies. TÜV SÜD will also showcase this new service in addition to its entire service portfolio for technical safety and improved efficiency in heavy-duty transport at its stand at the 2012 IAA Commercial Vehicles exhibition, held from 20 to 27 September in Hanover (www.iaa.de).