Rank: Forum user 
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Sorry if this has been asked before, I did search but didn't come to a definitive answer.
Are BS's and/or EN's a legal requirement in the UK; and in particular related to gas installations BS EN 746-2
Thanks in advance
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Rank: Super forum user
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No, in the majority of cases BS & EN have no legal standing as such. However you can quote them to show that you are doing what is so fair as is reasonably practicable. Whether this is believed or not is another matter.
There is usually a caution note in the front of every BS standard that effectively says that following a BS standard doen't mean you are acting within the law.
Occassionally BS standards can be 'called' into law. The only cases I am/was awarw of is inthe manufacture of children's push trolleys and in the manufacture of fireworks.
Pretty sure this remains correct, as told when I did my diploma quite a few years ago, by the solicitor who was teaching the law module.
As regards the specific standard you have mentioned, no idea, you will have to research further to get an answer.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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JJ Prendergast wrote:
Occassionally BS standards can be 'called' into law. The only cases I am/was awarw of is inthe manufacture of children's push trolleys and in the manufacture of fireworks.
Bicycle lights is another. Also, the situation is muddied somewhat because of the requirements to recognise equivalent standards from other EC nations. That is, you can avoid a statutory requirement to comply with a BS if you comply with a DIN (for example). I expect the lawyers will make money out of arguing whether a standard is equivalent first.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Apologies if I'm way off track here but I thought that a BS ISO Standard was an “International standard” (essentially a recommendation or best practice) and that an EN ISO Standard was a European norm (meaning the contents of the standard must be written into UK and EU law)?
Must admit though I often find it difficult to wade through all the jargon to figure out exactly what it all means when it comes to legislation.
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Rank: Forum user
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achrn wrote:JJ Prendergast wrote:
Occassionally BS standards can be 'called' into law. The only cases I am/was awarw of is inthe manufacture of children's push trolleys and in the manufacture of fireworks.
Bicycle lights is another. Car registration plates is another Quote:
Also, the situation is muddied somewhat because of the requirements to recognise equivalent standards from other EC nations.
although this is included in the SI as well, so it does boil down to "adhere to the BS, or an equivalent EEA State standard".
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Rank: Super forum user
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grim72 wrote:Apologies if I'm way off track here but I thought that a BS ISO Standard was an “International standard” (essentially a recommendation or best practice) and that an EN ISO Standard was a European norm (meaning the contents of the standard must be written into UK and EU law)?
Must admit though I often find it difficult to wade through all the jargon to figure out exactly what it all means when it comes to legislation.
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Rank: Super forum user
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grim72 wrote:Apologies if I'm way off track here but I thought that a BS ISO Standard was an “International standard” (essentially a recommendation or best practice) and that an EN ISO Standard was a European norm (meaning the contents of the standard must be written into UK and EU law)?
Must admit though I often find it difficult to wade through all the jargon to figure out exactly what it all means when it comes to legislation. [I'll try again] BS ISO is an international standard adopted by BS. BS EN is a european standard adopted by BS. But in neither case is there any statutory requirement to comply with them (unless a specific statute defines that). For example, BS EN 1992 is "Design of concrete structures". It is a standard that specifies a way (or set of ways) to design concrete structures, but there is no legal obligation that every concrete structure must comply with that standard. You could build a concrete structure to another standard if you wanted. You could develop your own design and detailing approach. You would not be breaking the law if you did so. (Plus, if you do comply with the standard, you're not necessarily not breaking the law.)
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Rank: Forum user
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...and then of course is the whole complicated issue of Harmonised Standards...
Certain product standards (usually EN standards) have harmonised status under the various european wide supply directives (e.g. Machinery Directive, PPE Directive). Those directives have to be adopted into the member country's law. They follow a common pattern: manufacturers, suppliers or importers must ensure that their products meet the general safety requirements set out in the relevant legislation, and to show that they do, the supplier etc. must affix a CE mark to the product.
If the supplier etc. can show that their product complies with the detailed spec of a relevant harmonised standard then they are entitled to claim conformity with the law and fix the CE mark.
They don't have to comply with the harmonised standard, they could do first principal design, undertake performance testing and submit a full technical file to and accredited technical audit house... not surprisingly most go for compliance with the harmonised standard!
So harmonised stds are not actually a legal requirement, but effectively they are....
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