By sion932 
As a critical national standard in China’s mechanical safety field, GB/T 17889.2-2021 “Ladders—Part 2: Requirements, Test, Marking” was issued on December 31, 2021, and officially implemented on July 1, 2022. This standard replaces the previous GB/T 17889.2-2012 version, aiming to optimize the safety performance, design specifications, and testing criteria of portable and mobile ladders, thereby safeguarding the personal and property safety of users. With its alignment with international advanced standards and adaptation to domestic industry development needs, it has become a core technical guideline for the ladder manufacturing industry.
1. Basic Information of the Standard
GB/T 17889.2-2021 is classified under CCS J09 (Health, Safety, Labor Protection) and ICS 13.110 (Mechanical Safety), with a total of 46 pages. The standard is formulated by the National Technical Committee for Mechanical Safety Standardization (SAC/TC 208) and jointly issued by the State Administration for Market Regulation and the Standardization Administration of China. It is applicable to various portable and mobile ladders, including straight ladders, extension ladders, and articulated ladders, used in industrial, commercial, and household scenarios. Notably, it does not cover special-purpose ladders such as fixed ladders, fire ladders, and insulated ladders.
The standard is closely linked with other parts of the GB/T 17889 series, such as GB/T 17889.1-2021 (Terminology, Types, and Functional Dimensions) and GB/T 17889.3 (User Instructions), forming a complete ladder standard system. It also references multiple national and international standards, including GB/T 228.1, GB/T 1040.1, and ISO 14125, ensuring its technical rigor and compatibility.
2. Core Technical Requirements
2.1 Material Requirements
A significant update from the 2012 version is the deletion of all wood-related content, reflecting the industry’s shift towards new materials. The standard specifies requirements for common ladder materials such as aluminum alloy, carbon fiber, and new plastics:
- Aluminum alloy: Widely used in household and industrial ladders due to its low density, high strength, and corrosion resistance. However, it requires protection against excessive pressure and impact to avoid deformation.
- Carbon fiber: Applied in high-end ladders for aerospace and sports equipment, offering lightweight properties and excellent durability. It must be protected from scratches and impacts to maintain performance.
- New plastics: Suitable for lightweight household ladders and garden ladders, with advantages of low cost and good insulation. They should not be exposed to high temperatures for extended periods.
2.2 Design and Structural Requirements
The standard imposes strict regulations on ladder design to enhance stability and safety. Key requirements include:
Hinges (rotation points) and opening limits must be structurally sound to prevent accidental folding or over-opening during use. Treads, pedals, and platforms should have anti-slip features and sufficient load-bearing capacity. Ladder feet must be designed to minimize slipping, with appropriate friction materials. For extension ladders and sectioned ladders, locking devices must be reliable to ensure secure positioning at the desired height.
Surface treatment requirements are also specified to prevent corrosion and sharp edges, ensuring user safety during handling and use. Additionally, environmental and sustainability requirements are incorporated, such as using wood from sustainably managed forests or FSC-certified sources, and controlling waste emissions to meet national environmental standards.
3. Test Methods
GB/T 17889.2-2021 outlines a comprehensive set of test methods to verify compliance with requirements, covering 21 key tests. Core test items include:
- Strength test: Evaluates the overall load-bearing capacity of the ladder under specified conditions.
- Ladder frame bending test and lateral deflection test: Assesses the structural rigidity and deformation resistance of the ladder frame.
- Vertical load test and torsion test for treads/pedals: Ensures treads and pedals can withstand normal and torsional loads without failure.
- Locking device test and opening limit test for self-supporting ladders: Verifies the reliability of safety locking mechanisms and opening restrictions.
- Bottom slip test for leaning ladders: Tests the anti-slip performance of ladder feet on different surfaces.
- Durability test: Evaluates the service life of self-supporting ladders under repeated use conditions.
Special test methods are specified for plastic ladders to account for their material characteristics, such as heat resistance and impact resistance. The standard also provides a normative test sequence in Appendix A to ensure consistency and accuracy in testing.
4. Key Differences from the Previous Version and International Alignment
4.1 Differences from GB/T 17889.2-2012
Compared with the 2012 version, the 2021 standard has the following major technical changes: First, the removal of wood-related content to adapt to the industry’s adoption of new materials. Second, optimized structural design requirements, emphasizing anti-slip, anti-tipping, and anti-pinch devices. Third, higher material performance requirements, including enhanced strength and wear resistance specifications. Fourth, expanded safety requirements to cover more potential hazards in use.
4.2 Alignment with International Standards
In the formulation process, GB/T 17889.2-2021 references advanced international ladder standards such as ISO 14125, aligning key technical indicators with international norms. It also promotes internationally recognized certification systems, facilitating the export of Chinese ladder products and enhancing the industry’s international competitiveness.
5. Industry Impact and Development Trends
The implementation of GB/T 17889.2-2021 has brought profound impacts to the ladder industry. It has increased production costs for enterprises due to higher requirements for materials, design, and processes, prompting enterprises to upgrade technologies and equipment. At the same time, it has raised industry entry barriers, eliminating backward enterprises with substandard product quality, and promoting industry integration and healthy competition.
Driven by this standard, the ladder industry is showing trends of standardization, diversification, intelligence, and environmental protection. Domestically, manufacturing and testing standards are increasingly aligned with international standards, while new product types such as electric ladders and multi-functional ladders are emerging. Internationally, the industry is focusing on higher safety, human-centered design, digital manufacturing, and sustainable development. GB/T 17889.2-2021 will continue to guide the high-quality development of China’s ladder industry, ensuring product safety and promoting international exchanges and cooperation.
References
1. GB/T 17889.2-2021, Ladders—Part 2: Requirements, Test, Marking[S]. 2021.
2. GB/T 17889.1-2021, Ladders—Part 1: Terminology, Types, and Functional Dimensions[S]. 2021.
3. ISO 14125, Safety of machinery—Permanent means of access to machinery—Particular requirements for ladders and stairs[S].