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What is dc and how do I get a dc certificate?
‘dc’ or ‘Design Conformity’ is an international quality and sustainable mark for retail display equipment.
The certification was created due to a lack of industry regulation and confusion over which standards are applicable and whom is responsible for ensuring the standards are achieved.
The dc Retail Design Guide
The dc guide was created to help designers and manufactures achieve dc certification an enable them to use the dc mark. It covers two main areas:
– Quality, ensuring that all safety and legislative requirements are met
– Sustainability, ensuring the display equipment is both financially and environmentally efficient
The dc guide provides designers with comprehensive guidance on how to design sustainable electrified display equipment, gain dc certification and use the dc mark.
The dc Certificate
This document is used by appointed inspectors to certify compliance with the dc guidance and covers the following areas:
Display equipment that meets the requirements will gain ‘type’ approval certification and be awarded a dc mark and test number which can be used by the manufacturer in their label.
Type approval allows manufacturers to use variations of the same components in the same configuration if manufactured to the same standard.
Additional requirements
Companies specifying the dc mark may have additional requirements, for example specific components types, polarity or colour specifications. Additional requirements will be made by the specifier during the brief and compliance of the requirements will need to be met in order to gain dc certification and use of the dc mark.
Supporting documents
In order to complete the dc certificate the following documents need to be reviewed by the dc inspector:
Submission process
To request a dc review the manufacturer should contact Design Conformity Ltd. and submit the supporting documents. Once the documents are reviewed and approved an appointment will be set to inspect the ‘first-off’ production unit for verification and testing.
Check list:
Before submitting documents for review please ensure the following information is provided within the design along with details of the manufacturer and the display.
Manufactures may also be required to provide specifications of equipment that is not already dc approved.
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What is dc?
Design Conformity (dc) is an international quality and sustainable mark for retail display equipment.
The mark was created due to a lack of industry regulation and confusion over which standards are applicable and whom is responsible for ensuring the standards are achieved.
This guidance was created to help designers and manufactures achieve the dc certification and covers two main areas:
Why is it necessary?
Property owners and tenants such as retailers have a legal obligation to protect staff and customers in accordance with local laws.
Manufactures and distributors of equipment have a legal obligation to ensure products meet the relevant regional standards.
In addition poorly designed and manufactured retail display equipment has caused fires, injury and extreme cases death.
This guidance outlines the requirements for ensuring safety based on relevant legislation:
– CE in Europe
It also provides guidance on meeting the Enhanced Capital Allowance Scheme managed by the government’s Carbon Trust. The scheme provides financial incentives for companies who comply by using efficient electrical componentry.
Who is it for?
– Retailers
– Brand concessions
– Designers
– Manufacturers
– Installation and maintenance companies
What are the benefits?
Health and Safety
Record of due diligence
Assurance that equipment meets required local and regional standards
Apportions responsibility to supplier
Designers
Greater control during the concept and design process
Quicker prototypes – ‘right first time’.
Consistent designs
Procurement
Intellectual property ownership
Increased leverage over suppliers
Reduced costs from legacy and past suppliers
Engineering
Assurance that equipment meets required local and regional standards
Reduction in energy consumption
Standardisation and re-use of components
Maintenance
Reduced parts inventory
Post warranty cost control
Reduced dependency on suppliers
Scope of this guidance
The information in this guide applies to areas inside retail premises, including shops, malls, concession spaces, and other retail outlets. It is intended for use in Europe.
Document usage and liability
This document is only intended for use as guidance. The information it contains has been reviewed by NICEIC Consulting but it is not a British Standard and is not legally binding.
Where reference is made to other documentation or legislation, it is not considered to be interpreted as legal advice.
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Retailers Liability – UK
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
This sets out the legal requirements for employers to ensure there is no present unnecessary risks of injury to staff, contractors or members of the general public.
At the core of the act is the legal definition ‘reasonably practicable’ which identifies the particular risk of situation versus the time, cost and expense of reducing that risk. The employer has duty of care to prevent injury however if the resources and cost of implementation are so disproportionate to the risk that it would be unreasonable then the employer is not obliged to mitigate the risk.
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
This sets out the legal requirements for employers to ensure the electrical safety of electrical equipment in the workplace to prevent death or injury.
The regulations require that all electrical systems, as so far are reasonably practicable, be safe and maintained to prevent danger. It specifies that anyone working on electrical systems where technical knowledge or experience is necessary to prevent danger must have the required knowledge and/or experience or be under suitable supervision (reg 16).
In any legal proceedings for an offence consisting of a contravention of regs it shall be up to the defence to prove that they took all reasonable steps and exercised all due diligence to avoid the commission of that offence.
Risks
Public Liability insurance requires policy holders comply with all relevant laws and recognised standards. Not complying with relevant laws may mitigate the policy holders claims to insurance or legal defence.
Manufacturers Liability – Europe
The European Union directives, known as the “New Approach Directives”, define “essential requirements” related to health, safety and environmental issues.
Electrical
Electrical items or equipment that contains electrics must have a CE Certificate and manufacturers of electrical equipment must provide a declaration of conformity in adherence of the following:
Low Voltage Directive: 2014/35/EU
Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive 2014/35/EU
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE): 2012/19/EU
Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS 2): 2015/863/EU
Compliance with the directives is based on testing as set out by the manufacturer and may include:
BS EN 60598 Luminaires. General requirements and tests
BS EN 61347 Lamp control gear. General and safety requirements
BS EN 62031 LED modules for general lighting. Safety specifications
BS EN 60884 Plugs & socket-outlets for household and similar purposes.
BS EN 50525 Electric cables. Low voltage energy cables of rated voltages up to and including 450/750 V
BS EN 62493 Electro Magnetic Fields Safety – Lighting Equipment
BS EN 55015 EMC Emissions
BS EN 61000 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). Generic standards
BE EN 62233 Measurement methods for electromagnetic fields of household appliances
BS EN60950 Information Technology Equipment. Safety. General requirements
BS EN50581 Assessment of products with respect to RoHS
Who is responsible for providing a CE Certificate?
The CE Marking Consulting Service defines a manufacturer as is any natural or legal person who is responsible for designing and manufacturing a product with a view to placing it on the Community market “under his own name” (or trademark*). Therefore manufacturers selling electrics under their own name must provide a CE Certificate including electronics manufacturers selling equipment to display manufacturers.
Structure
While there is no European Union directive for furniture the general safety directive still applies:
General Product Safety Directive 2001/95/EU
Compliance with the directives is based on testing as set out by the manufacturer and may include:
BS EN 16121 Non-domestic storage furniture. Requirements for safety,
strength, durability and stability
BS EN 16122 Domestic and non-domestic storage furniture. Test methods for
the determination of strength, durability and stability
BS EN 16139 Test Level 2 Furniture. Strength, durability and safety. Requirements for non-domestic seating
BS 7176 Specification for resistance to ignition of upholstered furniture for
BS7376 Inclusion of glass in the construction of tables and trolleys for domestic use
BS7449 Specification for inclusion of glass in the construction of furniture, other than tables or trolleys, including cabinets, shelving systems and wall hung or free standing mirrors
Installation instructions
Manufacturers of new equipment must provide installation instructions in adherence of the following:
General Product Safety Directive 2001/95/EU
Compliance with the directive requires manufacturers to provide information, usually in the form of an Instruction Manual, to enable the safe use and or installation of products. The instructions should be in the users own language and information such as warnings should be in pictorial form. Any instructions essential to safety should be provided in printed form with the product.
Who’s responsible for providing installation instructions?
The manufacturer of the equipment must provide safety and installation instructions.
1. The display manufacturer must provide instructions for installation and use.
2. Component and subcomponent providers must provide instructions for installation and use.
To be awarded the dc certificate of conformity, the display, shopfitting, or signage unit must be designed and manufactured in accordance with this guide.
If the manufacturer cannot comply with the guidance, or wishes to deviate from the guidance, it may still be possible to gain certification. However, a dc Certificate can only be issued by a dc Inspector who has been appointed by Design Conformity Ltd.
Retailers certificates
Companies that require the dc mark may request that additional requirements are met that are specific to their needs. This may include standard components types or polarity or colour specifications.
Additional requirements will be made by the company during the brief and compliance of the requirements will need to be met in order to gain dc certification and use of the dc mark.
Summary
1. The dc guide outlines how specifiers, designers and manufactures can ensure risks are minimised and help meet legal obligations.
2. The guide also ensures products are environmentally sustainable and provides a framework for continuous improvement.
3. Use of the guide helps specifiers, designers and manufactures meet the requirements of the dc certificate which provides due diligence in the event of litigation.
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Introduction
The dc design process will ensure your display equipment meets the relevant local legislative requirements and the manufacturer can produce sustainable and efficient display equipment for the end user.
Good design is not just about aesthetics, it must meet the needs of the user and provide safe and fit for purpose equipment.
Poor design can lead to injury, replacements, increased maintenance and costs.
10 Step Design Process
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The brief is a critical part of the design process and it’s important to establish from the client the following key factors within the design brief.
Purpose
The primary objectives of the equipment must be confirmed in the design brief.
Good design should take into account:
Evaluation
To evaluate a successful design, you need clear criteria against which you can measure; whether cost, sales, sustainability or aesthetics to name but a few.
Following this design guide will enable all these criteria to be captured so that the design brief builds a framework for a successful result.
Consider the following:
Scope
Need for change and critical key objectives
Commercial framework (performance expectations and project budget)
Timeline (from concept through trial to launch)
Style criteria
Environmental
Set environmental/energy consumption objectives (in line with CSR policy)
Evaluate reuse/up cycling of existing furniture/parts/materials
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Creative Design
The creative stage of the design process must not be restricted and must allow the designer to ‘expand the envelope’ and challenge the brief where necessary.
Once the scope and criteria have been set in the brief, designers must take into account and justify any deviation which could affect any part of the desired outcome.
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Engineering Design – Functionality & Performance
The design considerations relating to functionality and performance include:
Response to Brief
Because the brief set by the client can often evolve or change during the creative design process it is important to confirm current expectations before embarking on the engineering design process. It is recommended that each of the three stake holders Client, Creative and Engineering set out any revised criteria and refine the concept accordingly.
The engineering design stage considerations should cover functionality and performance and include a key point approval process:
Purpose
What is the intended purpose of the equipment, who will use it and what is it used for?
Location
Where will it be used in store and what risks does this add to the design?
Which country will the display equipment be used in and what standards will it need to meet?
Timelines
What are the key milestones in the development, trial and delivery of the display equipment?
What and when are the evaluation stages?
When and how will the prototype be signed off?
Once in-store, how long will it be in service?
Budget
Does the budget take into account design IP, manufacture, delivery, installation, removal, disposal and an understanding of ongoing maintenance and running costs?
What is the expected return on investment?
Quantity
What quantity of units are to be manufactured and are they to be manufactured in a single production run or over multiple production batches?
Are spares expected for large volume production runs?
Manufacture
Where is the furniture to be manufactured and what impact will that have on the timeline and delivery cost?
How will the equipment arrive and who will responsible for final assembly and who’s liable for the quality?
Quality
What is the expected QC process and how will this be recorded and shared with the client?
Packaging
What type and quantity of packing is needed and how can it be minimized?
Is the display equipment seasonal, will it be re-used?
Delivery
How will the display equipment be delivered to store and what are their size, time or logistical restrictions?
Installation
Who is installing the fixture and what is the expected qualification level of the installer?
Are the installers adequately insured?
Will training be needed?
Are there restrictions such as height or store opening hours?
Maintenance
Who is responsible for cleaning and general maintenance of the display equipment?
Will there be an Operation and Maintenance manual?
Who will hold spares and how do they get installed?
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Environmental considerations
Introduction
Mounting financial and environmental pressure means the retail display industry is being challenged now more than ever to produce ‘efficient’ designs.
Major retails and brands will have robust environmental policies in place and expect the same from their suppliers.
The dc design process will ensure your display equipment meets the relevant local legislative requirements and the manufacturer can produce sustainable, resource efficient display equipment that minimises impacts and increases circularity.
Good design is not just about aesthetics, it must meet the needs of the user and provide safe and fit for purpose equipment. This needs to be achieved whilst ensuring that the life cycle environmental impacts are minimised and that the maximum amount of utility is extracted from materials resources before they are finally disposed of.
Sustainability
Good design is not just about aesthetics, it must meet the needs of the user and provide safe and fit for purpose equipment. This needs to be achieved whilst ensuring that the life cycle environmental impacts are minimised and that the maximum amount of utility is extracted from materials resources before they are finally disposed of.
During the initial the concept briefings consider the following:
Minimise Resource Use
Minimise the amount of materials where possible within the required performance specification. do not ‘over design ensure the overall approach used is appropriate for the expected life span. (I,C)
Recycled Material Content
Specify materials with a high recycled content, (this reduces ‘primary’ material demand and in the vast majority of cases recycled materials have a lower embodied impact) (I,C)
Recyclable
Specify materials which are commercially recyclable and ensure they are clearly labelled or identified in accompanying information to encourage and enable recycling at end of life. (C)
Renewable
All materials should be derived from a certified renewable source (e.g. wood should be FSC) where relevant. (I,C)
Disassembly
Design to allow ease of full disassembly. (Parts are then more likely to be recycled at the end of the fixtures’ useful lifespan. Use de-mountable fixings and avoid permanent joining materials of different types. (C)
Performance / Durability
Specify materials that are appropriate to the design life of the item. Specify durable and long-lasting instead of those that have long life but these may not be needed in temporary and short life units. Ensure the materials satisfy the performance requirements of the brief without ‘over performing’.(I,C)
Standardisation
Avoid ‘specials’ wherever possible/ utilise standard platforms where possible to ensure maximum flexibility of all equipment between departments & stores (C) Consider modular construction techniques to promote re-use through standardisation or sub-assemblies and components.
Flexibility
Adopt a design approach that maximizes the flexibility of the fixture to enhance its longevity (where appropriate)
Packaging
Specify packaging that is reusable where possible. If this is not possible ensure it is minimal and uses recycled and recyclable materials without compromising the integrity and functionality of the packaging (I,C)
Logistics / Installation / Decommissioning
Consider the use of ‘flat pack’ to increase transportation efficiency. balance this with easy / speed of installation and ability to disassembly, reuse and/or recycling when decommissioning. (I)
Wellbeing
Specify materials which are non-toxic or have low toxicity, and minimise pollution in manufacture, transport & installation and disposal.
Legal Compliance
Ensure the designs meet all the relevant producer responsibility legislation, and any legally enforced materials restrictions and information on materials content.
Evaluation
In order to evaluate the benefits of sustainable design a scoring system must be used to compare designs and measure improvements.
dc measures two separate aspects of the display equipment:
A measure of the carbon footprint of the equipment, this includes:
A measure of the overall circularity of the equipment which takes into account:
A measure of the electrical performance of the design, including lighting and digital equipment.
The ‘weighting’ of materials versus energy will be depended on the life of the product and a final score rating will need to be created after we’ve processed an agreed quantity of test models.
Approval considerations
Design
Approvals must be sought by the designer from key stakeholders at pre-agreed stages of the design process. This may include but are not limited to:
Display equipment must meet the specific requirements of the client and comply with all relevant standards. The designer must also highlight any specific issues that may impact on the either the creative or engineering design which may contravene any of these standards.
Safety requirements use sound risk assessment principles that identify potential hazards and risks associated with the intended use of the item and the use of control measures to eliminate or reduce to manageable levels those identified risks.
The dc mark gives end users the confidence that designers have taken accountability for their designs and have adhered to the principles and standards set out in this guidance
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Designs should consider the full life of any furniture from design, manufacture, implementation, use, maintenance through to removal and disposal. Safety of the relevant user must be considered at every stage.
Key considerations:
Stability
Display equipment should be solid and stable and should not fall or topple over if leaned upon or bumped into under normal use.
Designs should have an adequate footprint relative to the height of the unit with a low centre of gravity.
A topple test should be carried out to ensure that the display will not topple over if angled at 15%.
Sharp edges
Designs should eliminate sharp corners and edges to reduce the risk of injury should someone bump into or fall against it. If necessary, they should be rounded off or bevelled (eg: metal plates used for gear trays should have R4 radii)
Gaps and trapping
There should be no gaps that have the potential for trapping fingers or limbs and special consideration must be made relative to face and head height for a child.
Strikes and bumps
Avoid features of the design which may become dislodged or damaged if a customer bump into them.
Counter tops must be secured, glass shelving must be effectively held in place and laminate edges protected against impacts.
Avoid using materials likely to chip or damage easily if through wear and tear or if bumped into or if they receive a knock from a trolley or push chair.
Consideration should be also be given to packing used during transit,
Slips, Trips and Falls
Slips are the most common type of accident instore. If liquids are to be used with the fixture; e.g. if hand washing or testing with customers; then consideration should be given to what happens if liquids leak on the floor. The risk of spills should be designed out of the fixture.
Avoid any aspects of the design which may cause a trip hazard at low level. This is especially important when considering the use of storage drawers in units, how can these be safely used to ensure that customers and staff do not fall over them if they are left unattended.
Designs should avoid the use of features that are out of eye line, in particular those low to the ground and which may be missed by customers or staff when maneuvering near fixture, thus creating tripping hazards.
Storage
The retail equipment must remain stable at all times, and stock should be able to be displayed securely without it falling off the display and causing injury.
No display element should be able to be easily pulled away from the unit, everything should be securely located in place.
Do not Locate heavy items at height or where they could cause injury if they fell onto a person.
All parts of the display unit should be securely fixed together, so that they will not come apart in-situ.
Mechanisms
Doors, drawers, access panels or other mechanisms should be so designed to prevent any injury through use or ‘predictable’ misuse.
Access panels which are opened for access to powered, moving components should have isolation switches fitted to minimise the risk of injury once the panel has been removed.
Any such panel should only be opened by trained staff or specialists, be clearly labelled and secured in place using a mechanical fixing.
Thermal / Fire
Adequate ventilation of any item likely to generate heat must be incorporated into the design of the unit, to ensure that there is no unnecessary build-up of heat which may cause fire or product degradation.
Any item which is likely to get hot which can be exposed to the touch must be tested to ensure that the item doesn’t get hot enough to burn or shock, or cause product degradation.
Risk assessment
Risk assessment must begin at the conceptual stage and risks must be identified relative to how it is to function within its intended operational environment, how it is to function as an item, how persons are to interact with it and considerations made as to foreseeable miss-use. In effect the assessment should consider as a minimum requirement:
Risks associated with the item’s..
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Feasibility exercise
After a concept is agreed and when determining the fixture’s construction, the engineers and designers should carry out a joint feasibility exercise and review critical expectations (financial, structural and aesthetics)
Structure
Environmental
Design format
It is crucial for retailers to have complete drawing packs and full specification data, in digital form, for all fixtures.
This facilitates swift and accurate design, development and procurement choices.
To meet increasingly demanding Health & Safety requirements and to protect customers, our business, and our suppliers it is essential to provide all supporting documentation in digital format
A complete set of digital technical drawings and specifications allows retailers to promptly provide all suppliers with identical information resulting in equal tender conditions.
Being able to instantly access complete and up-to-date information, via a common portal will help all businesses to operate in a professional, cost effective and competitive manner.
Structure drawing
The following is a list of the minimum information required to complete technical drawing sheets.
All drawing dimensions, notation & information must be legible when printed on A3 paper size.
All sheets must have a drawing boarder that includes:
Third party and ‘off the shelf’ items must be clearly identified and marked with the appropriate supplier details, including:
First sheet
General assembly & sub assembly sheets
Exploded assembly sheets
Individual part drawing sheets
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