🔍 1. Certification Scope & Authority
- EN 13561 is a European harmonized standard for outdoor blinds, awnings, and shutters, covering safety, mechanical performance, durability, and weather resistance .
- Maintained by CEN (European Committee for Standardization), it is recognized across all EU member states and non-EU countries like Switzerland, Norway, and Iceland .
a) Mechanical Durability
- Tensile Strength: Certified fabrics must withstand:
- Warp direction: ≥100 daN (≈1,000 N)
- Weft direction: ≥60 daN (≈600 N) .
- After accelerated weathering (1,000 hours UV/rain exposure per EN ISO 105-B04), tensile strength loss must not exceed 20% .
b) Weather Resistance
- Dimensional Stability: Post-weathering, fabric deformation limits are:
- Warp: [-3%, +1%]
- Weft: [-1%, +1%] .
- Water Resistance: Post-immersion in demineralized water (24 hours), waterproof performance decline must be ≤15% (tested via EN 20811 Schopper method) .
c) Safety & Functionality
- Structural Integrity: Validated against wind loads (e.g., stability under high winds) and safety mechanisms (e.g., anti-pinch design) .
- Colorfastness: Minimum Grade 4 on the grey scale (EN 20105-A02) after UV exposure .
🌍 3. Commercial & Regulatory Advantages
- Market Access: Compliance enables CE marking, mandatory for sales in the EU/EEA and highly valued globally .
- Competitive Edge: Certifies 5+ years of outdoor reliability (color retention, mildew/mold resistance, UV stability) , aligning with premium outdoor product warranties.
📝 4. Documentation & Compliance Maintenance
- Technical File: Includes test reports (mechanical, weather, safety), production records, and conformity declarations .
- Continuous Compliance: Requires annual audits and batch testing to ensure ongoing adherence .
💎 Conclusion
Passing EN 13561 certifies your acrylic fabric as a high-performance, safety-compliant solution for demanding outdoor applications (awnings, pergolas, etc.). This not only validates product durability but also unlocks European and global markets through CE marking. For sustained competitiveness, prioritize:
- Transparently promoting certification in marketing (e.g., highlighting UV/weather resistance ≥5 years) ;
- Maintaining rigorous production controls to ensure batch-to-batch compliance .
