Generic standards promote order and coherence within the body of standards. They enable an issue relevant to several areas of standardization to be governed at a higher level: in mathematical terms, to be placed outside the brackets. KAN Report 38 examined the relevance of generic standards, with machine safety serving as an example, and identified the benefits for the system of standardization.

The service life and protective function of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as helmets and protective overalls are determined not only by the intensity of their use, but also by factors such as climatic influences and the cleaning and storage conditions. KAN has commissioned a study into whether, and if so how, a deterioration in the protective action due to age or use is addressed in standards.

In contrast to the majority of New Approach directives, the directive governing construction products imposes no essential health and safety requirements for the use of products upon which occupational health and safety interests may be based. An important instrument is thus lacking in this area by which product safety aspects can be raised in standardization. The issue is examined in two successive KAN studies.

KAN commissions studies and reports as one means of analyzing OH&S-related issues in standards. Three studies and projects which were launched recently will be presented in this article.

In order for paper, board and film to be recycled efficiently, these materials are separated by type in recycling plants and pressed into bales for transport to the processing plant. A new standard is to assure safer working conditions on the channel baling presses employed for this purpose.

In Portugal, responsibility for occupational health and safety, the labour inspectorate, and standardization lies with different bodies. The Instituto para a Segurança, Higiene e Saúde no Trabalho (ISHST) is responsible for OH&S issues at national level. Through the Portuguese standards institute IPQ, it is also actively involved in the development of standards and technical specifications.