Certifications

The ISO 14001 certification guarantees that the Monte Marenzo production process is managed with a structured and conscious approach regarding environmental aspects. In practice, this means that the company does not just focus on production, but also controls the impact of its activities by monitoring elements such as consumption, waste, resource utilization, and any effects on the environment.
Therefore, this certification ensures the existence of procedures, defined responsibilities, and periodic audits aimed not only at complying with environmental regulations but also at continuously improving the environmental performance of the production site.
For us, ISO 14001 means integrating sustainability into the daily management of processes: every activity is also evaluated from an environmental perspective, with the goal of preventing issues, reducing waste, and promoting an increasingly efficient and responsible management.
In short, it is a guarantee of method, attention, and concrete commitment to combining industrial production with environmental protection. Find out more

ISO 9001 certification guarantees that the production process at Kong is organized according to a structured, controlled quality management system focused on continuous improvement. This is essential given the purpose and use of our products.

In practical terms, it ensures that all production activities are defined by clear and shared procedures, enabling standardized operations.

Every stage of the process is monitored and recorded. This allows for full traceability of products and processes, from raw materials to the finished product.

Furthermore, systematic controls are implemented throughout the entire production cycle. These include inspections at incoming, in-process, and final product stages to ensure compliance with technical and regulatory requirements.

In the event of complaints, anomalies, and/or non-conformities, the system requires corrective and preventive actions. The goal is to eliminate root causes and prevent errors from recurring.

Another key element is performance monitoring through quality indicators. These allow the organization to evaluate the effectiveness of all processes and services, while identifying opportunities for improvement.

Finally, ISO 9001 places a strong emphasis on customer satisfaction. It ensures that customer needs and expectations are fully integrated into business processes. In short, being ISO 9001 certified guarantees that Kong has a reliable, consistent system focused on the quality of its products and services. Find out more

Rarely is a certification recognized globally, although there are international Standards such as ISO and UIAA. In particular, PPE certifications vary by geographical areas: in Europe (EU) it is necessary to meet EN Standards, in the USA and Canada ANSI/ISEA Standards, in China GB Standards, in Australia AS/NZS Standards, etc.

The EU declaration of conformity attests compliance with the essential health and safety requirements of Regulation (EU) 2016/425, identifying the PPE and indicating the specific harmonized standards applied. With it, the manufacturer assumes responsibility for the conformity of the PPE with the established requirements. Once conformity has been demonstrated according to the appropriate procedure, including, if required, the intervention of a Notified Body, manufacturers draw up the declaration, affix the CE marking, and integrate it with the place, date, and signature of the legal representative.
It is translated into the languages required by the Member State on whose market the PPE is placed or made available. Manufacturers must ensure that PPE is accompanied by a copy of the declaration or by the internet address to access it.

At first glance, a work connector and a mountaineering connector may seem identical. However, the two different standards they refer to impose very different strength tests, usage dynamics, and safety requirements, which are specifically designed for distinct contexts and risks.

Specifically, regarding the gate locking mechanism: to be EN 362 certified, the connector must be equipped with a gate locking system (a sleeve) that prevents accidental opening. To ensure maximum error-proof safety, opening the gate must require at least two separate, deliberate, and independent actions. In contrast, the EN 12275 certification does not mandate an automatic locking mechanism on all models, prioritizing ease of handling instead. In sports, a connector must allow for quick, single-handed operation, often under unstable balance conditions, such as when clipping a quickdraw while climbing.

Strength: both standards define minimum loads along the major and minor axes of the connector, but they differ regarding the major axis with an open gate. The EN 362 standard does not define this parameter, as the risk of accidental opening is considered eliminated by the mandatory presence of the gate locking system. Conversely, EN 12275 does define it, because mountaineering connectors do not always feature a gate locking system, and there is a real risk that the rope, an impact, or contact with the rock could partially open the gate. The methods for conducting static tests also differ between the two standards regarding load application times: the EN 362 standard requires the connector to withstand the declared minimum load for at least 3 minutes, while EN 12275 requires continuous tension at a constant speed until the actual breaking load of the connector is reached.

These standards regulate the different attachment points of a harness, defining their specific use.
EN 361 - Fall Arrest: this is the only standard that certifies attachment points designed to arrest a free fall. These points, located above the person's center of gravity (sternal and/or dorsal area), must be identified by the letter "A", distribute the impact forces across the body and keep the user in an upright position after a fall.
EN 358 - Work Positioning: certifies attachment points, including those located on the sides, lateral. It is used to secure the user to the structure via a lanyard, allowing them to work under tension and hands-free. These attachments are not suitable for use in a fall arrest system.
EN 813 - Suspension: certifies the ventral attachment point. It is the specific standard for harnesses designed to support the weight of the user suspended in a sitting position, distributing it between the waist belt and leg loops. This attachment point is not suitable for use in a fall arrest system.
A full-body harness can integrate all three certifications, but each attachment point has a completely distinct and non-interchangeable structural and safety function.

The 2025 version of the EN 397 standard aims to reduce head injuries caused by falling objects, slips, trips, falls from heights, or loss of machinery control. The main changes are the introduction of two helmet categories: Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1: designed to reduce injuries due to impacts localized in the "on-crown" area (top of the head). Type 2: featuring higher impact protection requirements in the "on-crown" area, in addition to specific requirements and testing for impacts localized in the "off-crown" area (front, rear, and lateral sectors of the helmet). Specific requirements are also introduced for the chinstrap: the integration of aspects related to ergonomics assessment, the addition of optional requirements regarding electrostatic and high-visibility properties (applicable only if declared by the manufacturer), and the removal of electrical insulation requirements. For the latter properties, the normative reference becomes requirement 4.3 of the EN 50365:2023 standard, which is also optional and valid only if declared by the manufacturer.
The criteria for selecting a Type 1 rather than a Type 2 helmet must be defined following a risk assessment process. The chinstrap is no longer mandatory to release between 15 and 25 kg, and a clearance gap between the shell and the user's head is no longer required.

UIAA (Union Internationale des Associations d'Alpinisme)
The UIAA is the international federation that represents mountaineering and climbing associations on a global level. Founded in 1932, it promotes mountain safety, environmental sustainability, and the development of the sport. The UIAA establishes technical standards for mountaineering and climbing equipment, certifying products such as carabiners, ropes, and helmets to guarantee their reliability. Additionally, it supports international competitions and initiatives for mountain protection.