Bosal, a leading supplier of exhaust systems, offers a comprehensive portfolio of catalytic converters with the ecolabel “Blauer Engel” (“Blue Angel”). Here the aftermarket specialist specifically concentrates on replacement catalytic converters for vehicles manufactured from the year 2000 onwards. In addition to the extremely comprehensive and complicated initial certification according to RAL-UZ 184, safety is ensured by annual follow-up audits.
“In our replacement catalytic converters certified with the ‘Blauer Engel’, we rely on the consistent use of highly efficient ceramic substrates with OEM washcoat technology,” says Ralf Meisel, responsible for marketing and product management at Bosal Deutschland GmbH. “This explains why we have now achieved a high market penetration in the aftermarket field for EURO 4 vehicles in particular. It goes without saying that we are working on the constant expansion of our delivery program of catalytic converters certified with the ‘Blauer Engel’.”
Quality compass “Blauer Engel”
In cooperation with the technical control board “TÜV Nord”, the German Federal Environmental Agency initiated the “Blauer Engel” ecolabel back in 1978. This environmental certificate is awarded for products and services which, when examined in their entirety, prove to be especially environmentally friendly while offering maximum technical quality and functionality. As a result, this ecolabel is only awarded to catalytic converters which comprehensive tests have shown to meet numerous criteria according to RAL-UZ 184. Besides two-stage emission measurement according to ECE R103 using an integrated artificial aging procedure, this includes a detailed examination of the components and materials used.
To make certification independent of production-related fluctuations, the “Blauer Engel” concept also includes regular annual audits. These follow-up analyses consist of the determination of the precious metal content, a vibration analysis, the testing of the structural design and an artificial aging process. Also, the entire initial audit is repeated in the fifth year after certification in order to ensure maximum safety.
Safeguard against inferior catalytic converters
For repair shops and consumers, the “Blauer Engel” offers a reliable guideline for purchasing a replacement catalytic converter as components of inferior quality are often found in the trade and customers are lured with low prices in the Internet, said the company. The industry and trade group “Qualitätsstandard Blauer Engel-Kat” which Bosal founded along with others sees its mission in informing customers and consumers of the risks of apparently low-priced catalytic converters. Besides endangering the system from the material point of view, these often present a high health risk as they frequently contain artificial mineral fibres which can cause cancer.
In contrast, Bosal catalytic converters have an adequate precious metal content and ensure sustainable compliance with the emission limits. In addition, only “green” ceramic fibre mats are used in certified catalytic converters. These pose no danger to health as they have a cancerogenicity index of less than 40. They are also a convincing proposition due to their high degree of biosolubility.
Go to http://www.bosal.com for more information.
