the safety symbol of the abrasives

The Safety Symbol of the Abrasives Market: oSa – 3 Standards to Understand

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Abrasives are commonly used tools in our daily life and industrial production, helping us to accomplish many tasks. However, due to the potential harm they may cause to people and the environment, safety concerns regarding abrasives have also arisen. To ensure the safety of abrasives, the symbol of safety, oSa (the Organization for the Safety of Abrasives) was established. This article will introduce the history, standards, impact, and role of oSa, as well as future prospects and challenges.

About the Organization for the Safety of Abrasives

The Organization for the Safety of Abrasives (oSa) makes the use of cutting and grinding tools safer. Founded in Bonn, Germany in 2000, oSa has become a trusted symbol of quality tools for nearly 60 leading manufacturers (and growing!). oSa is the highest safety standard worldwide and is a trademark protected internationally.

Why do manufacturers want to become oSa members?

The oSa® logo represents a strict record-keeping and monitoring system by all manufacturers to ensure the lowest possible risk of injury to you as a user. Mandatory factory inspections by experts and a certified quality management system are prerequisites for membership. Each member is committed to supervising the entire manufacturing process and carrying out manufacturing controls related to production in accordance with EN standards. Products from oSa members are traceable. The oSa® logo on grinding tools provides maximum safety during cutting and grinding and provides clear direction when making purchasing decisions. If avoiding unnecessary risks is important as a user of abrasive tools, so should the oSa safety logo.

Since its founding, oSa has become the international authority for cutting and grinding tools. oSa provides audits and advice to manufacturers and represents the highest safety certification. Today, almost all leading high-end manufacturers in the world are members of oSa. About 70% of handheld cutting and grinding tools on the market today are marked with the oSa symbol.

How to become a member of oSa?

Only members who meet strict scrutiny are granted the right to apply this logo to their products. oSa members are committed to certified quality management through documented processes and the highest-capacity internal testing facilities. Three EN standards (EN 12413 for bonded abrasives, EN 13236 for superabrasives, and EN 13743 for coated abrasives) form the cornerstone of oSa’s safety philosophy, and all members are subject to these safety standards for their products.

EN standards are product safety standards developed by the European Union to ensure that products sold on the EU market meet EU safety requirements. EN 12413, EN 13236, and EN 13743 are safety standards for different types of abrasives developed by the EU.

Here is a brief description of these three EN standards:

EN 12413:

This standard applies to bonded abrasives (including grinding wheels and cutting discs) and aims to ensure the safety and quality of these products. The EN 12413 standard requires abrasives to meet a range of performance and safety requirements, such as wear resistance, maximum speed, maximum working pressure, static and dynamic balance, etc.

EN 13236:

This standard applies to superabrasives (such as diamond and cubic boron nitride) and requires these abrasives to pass a series of tests to ensure that they meet European standard requirements. These tests include abrasive size, wear rate, service life, etc. Through these tests, the EN 13236 standard ensures the safety and quality of superabrasives that can be used in industrial, construction, and other applications.

EN 13743:

This standard applies to coated abrasives (such as sandpaper and sand cloth) and sets out requirements for these abrasives, including grit size, strength, and service life. The EN 13743 standard aims to ensure that coated abrasives meet European safety and quality requirements.

StandardScopeAbrasive typesApplication
EN 12413Bonded abrasivesAluminum oxide, silicon carbide, diamond, and CBNCutting-off and grinding wheels for metal, stone, and construction, as well as snagging and dressing tools
EN 13236SuperabrasivesDiamond and CBNCutting and grinding tools for non-metallic materials, as well as for metal
EN 13743Coated abrasivesAluminum oxide, silicon carbide, and other abrasivesSanding belts, discs, sheets, and rolls for metal, wood, and other materials

These EN standards aim to ensure the safety and quality of abrasives during use, in order to protect the health and property of users. By reviewing the products of its members, oSa is able to ensure that these products meet the requirements of these standards, further increasing consumer confidence and ensuring their safety. oSa evaluates various characteristics of the products, including appearance, safety, wear rate, and speed, to determine whether they meet oSa’s standards. In summary, as an abrasive safety organization, oSa is committed to ensuring that abrasives sold on the market meet the highest safety and quality standards. Through strict product reviews and supervision of its members, oSa ensures the safety and reliability of consumers when using abrasives.

Development and Challenges of oSa

With the development of technology and the market, the abrasive industry also faces new challenges and opportunities. As an important organization in the global abrasive industry, oSa needs to continue to promote the development and progress of the abrasive industry. In the future, oSa can achieve this by strengthening technology research and development, expanding international markets, and improving product quality and safety.

Conclusion

As a vital organization in the global abrasive industry, the Organization for the Safety of Abrasives (oSa) is committed to ensuring the safety and quality of abrasive products and promoting the development of the abrasive industry. The certification and standards set by oSa have become a reference standard for the global abrasive industry and have increased consumer trust in product safety. In the future, oSa needs to continue to focus on the development of emerging markets and technologies, strengthen regulation and management of the abrasive industry, and promote sustainable development in the abrasive industry.

Reference:

oSa website https://www.osa-abrasives.org/

About Honxin Abrasive

Honxin has been deeply rooted in the field of abrasive materials for over 50 years, and our core value as a company is to consistently exceed customer expectations. As a market leader, Honxin has gained an excellent reputation by delivering exceptional products. Throughout our journey, we adhere to the international quality standard ISO 9001, ensuring stable and top-notch products for our customers.

We provide ODM/OEM product services to various industries, and maintaining excellent quality is our utmost principle. Our commitment is to offer a “comprehensive solution” that maximizes benefits for our customers.

 

 

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