"We make sure that the portable stairs comply with measures of security and quality 100 %"
Tell us a little of the Afespo history: its origins, why arose, how many years has been running...
Afespo was born five years of the need to put some order into the chaos that had been part of the manufacturers that made evil the product and which did not possess a certification or accreditation that the ladder had a certain quality. As the sector was a bit 'wild' we try to meet to implement solution. At first we were five manufacturers to form a partnership that, somehow, pressed the Administration to make it mandatory that a staircase complies with the rules. There is a standard for the stairs is the UNE-EN 131, and bar stools is the UNE-EN 141183. They are two European regulations that are intended to avoid being manufactured stairs of poor quality and are also 100% safe. In Afespo we ensure so. If not exist an obligation to comply with a set of rules would have many accidents, that already there are. We are currently 14 partners and the aim is that we remain the same as until now.
Are they expected expand the number of partners?
Before we were more reluctant to gain more partners, however, we are now open to anyone who wants to enter. We invite all manufacturers and distributors of stairs wishing to be members of Afespo. It is recommended to be partner of Afespo because somehow they involved to commit themselves to do things right, fulfilling regulations basically.
What benefits give to the partner for belonging to the Afespo?
We have a technical Secretary who participates in the European meetings of standardisation, i.e. that edit rules together with representatives of other countries. And this is a first-hand information to our partners about the changes that are taking place. We offer first-hand information and direct.
Marta omedes: not only that but we participate with our own voice in meetings made in Brussels at the international level to create the rule. We participated in the development of the standard and we have the vote of the Spanish State. It is Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, etc. and each Member State brings their representatives at the European level.
We also, a section of queries our website aimed at the Technical Secretary, that if any manufacturer or user does not know what is the standard to be applied, can consult it directly in a way. Then there is a section of general regulations which is available on the Aenor website or in the Official Gazette.
Joan Server: six months ago we made a very important transformation in the Afespo which is the extension to 14 partners and later, the incorporation of Marta Omedes, working committees, the reorganization of the Board of Directors, etc. And the truth is that we are working very well. We are now more organized and we are working hard.
They control or pursue businesses that do not meet standards?
The truth is that this is not our mission, we are not dealing with this.
Marta Omedes: This left it in the hands of the administration.
How is the problem of the copy of patents from other companies?
As said by Marta Omedes, this dealt with the Administration, and in this sense it is quite prepared to act. It is not surprising that in the first quarter of the 2009 Act because they are eager to the stairs to meet regulations. The General direction of consumption has a number of domestic accidents statistics and those who are most are 'falls from height'. They should not be all precisely of stairs, but they are the most abundant. These data provide us to them and we know that they are very concerned and that they are going to do something about.
That Yes, we warn all manufacturers of stairways that will not be so easy to fail to comply with regulations from the first quarter of 2009.
What requirements must comply with a manufacturer of ladders to belong to the Afespo?
Marta omedes: having a permanent establishment in Europe and is not a dealer or manufacturer that sells directly to the final consumer, i.e., have some intermediary, which sold to the wholesale.
Something new in the face to 2009?
Marta omedes: continue as we are now and also believe open doors to other manufacturers that join us. More than anything, our intention in this event we want to prepare will be well informed manufacturers of what is happening.
Joan Server: In March, as we agree with the fair of Ferroforma, we plan to do an act the most important thing possible talking about the safety of the stairs, Afespo and try to more people to join our project.
At what points of sale is directed the market of portable stairs?
There are two types of distinct steps: the industrial ladder and domestic staircase. Domestic ladder is sold more in the hardware sector and industrial staircase more in DIY centers. Which is more suffering the crisis is the industrial ladder because now the construction begins to cut spending. This year has been much noted the decline.
