Gummiwerk KRAIBURG rubber floor mats for animal houses

The DLG quality marks and seals stand for independent tests and certifications of products, systems and processes (such as manufacturing processes) that are based on requirements that are drawn from the field. The test criteria are laid down by independent test commissions that are made up by volunteer experts. These criteria describe the methods of testing the essential and value determining features of products or processes. The speci­fications that define a specific quality of a product or process are drawn from the field and are in line with the latest scientific findings. The quality mark is awarded to a product or process after the test has revealed that it complies with the high DLG standards. Depending on the type of test and product group, the mark is either awarded under the RAL quality assurance scheme or as DLG quality mark under the DLG quality standards scheme. The DLG tests provide consumers with valuable purchase information and at the same time ensure that the quality of the tested product is maintained at a consistently high level. By submitting their products to a DLG test, manufacturers agree to accept an ongoing and independent quality monitoring programme for the products, systems and processes tested. This programme is subsequently carried out by qualified samplers and auditors who on an ongoing basis take unannounced samples at the manufacturer’s or dealer’s premises for subsequent analysis or carry out audit processes.

This DLG quality mark test involved an assessment and evaluation of the quality assurance programme as implemented in the manufacturing process of floor mats for animal houses and also involved measuring PAH migration to Tenax in all rubber blends. The test was based on the ‘Project report on PAH migration from rubber floor mats’ as provided by Fraunhofer-Institut für Verfahrenstechnik und Verpackung IVV, Freising, Germany, dated 8 August 2018.

The manufacturing process was certified to the ISO 9001 : 2015 standard. This standard defines the introduction and enforcement of a quality management system within an organisation. It affects all organisational processes that have an impact on customer demands and legal requirements. The audit of the Tittmoning production site covered all processes that are relevant for achieving a consistently high quality of the product. It focused on the entire manufacturing chain – from procurement of the raw materials to the moment the finished product is prepared for delivery. At the same time, the DLG testers took random samples of the manufactured products and tested these for compliance with defined PAH limits (Conformity of Production). After the certification is awarded to the product qualities and processes defined, an monitoring programme is installed at the Tittmoning production site which involves DLG experts assessing the products and processes for PAH limit compliance on an ongoing basis.