Germany: Update of the standard for first aid kits in vehicles
The German Standards Institute DIN has newly included face masks in the first-aid kit standard DIN 13164:2022 First-aid materials – First-aid kit B. The requirements involve two medical face masks.
The new standard has been in force since February 1, 2022, with a transition period of 12 months. As a result, first-aid kits on the market that comply with the previously valid standard may still be sold without restriction until January 31, 2023, as they are of equivalent quality. In addition, there is no obligation to replace or retrofit existing first-aid kits.
In the future, the German legislator will list the 2022 edition of the standard as the minimum standard in the Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO) § 35h and define corresponding transitional provisions.
All DIN standards are subject to regular review by the respective technical bodies and committees. In the revision of the standards that has now taken place, the current wishes and suggestions of the German Statutory Accident Insurance (DGUV) based on the evaluation of accidents in companies and authorities have been taken into account, as have the current experiences of emergency medical services and the current challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
What was changed in DIN 13164?
- Inclusion of face masks type I DIN EN 14683
At the initiative of the legislature and suggestions from various associations and organizations, the DIN committee responsible for the area of FIRST AID has examined the inclusion of face masks as additional hygiene protection. Within the framework of test series, it was ensured that the face masks then used in the DIN contents have the longest possible service life with consistent quality.
Note: These are the same face masks that were included in the DIN 13157 and DIN 13169 standards in November 2021.
- Omission of a triangular sheet DIN 13168 D
Based on the recommendations of the DGUV and emergency physicians, the standardization committee has decided that in future only one triangular sheet should be included in the first-aid kit.
- Omission of the bandage cloth DIN 13152 BR
Based on the recommendations of the DGUV and emergency physicians, the standardization committee has decided that in future only the larger DIN 13152 A bandage cloth will have to be contained in the first aid kit.
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