Standards Development

Scope

This document defines the procedures for classifying, testing and labelling of cartridges for powder actuated tools (PAT cartridges), as defined in Clause 3 of this document.

This document does not apply to pyrotechnic articles containing blasting agents and military explosives except black powder and flash composition.

PAT cartridges contain pyrotechnic composition(s) delivering mainly gases, intended to propel a piston. The piston propels fasteners (e.g. nails) or drives hard marking characters into appropriate materials.

This document also applies to PAT cartridges sold to persons younger than 18 years, if this is permitted by the member state due to the low hazard of the PAT cartridges.

NOTE PAT cartridges can also be used for hard marking tools. Information on cartridge operated fixing and hard marking tools can be found in EN 15895:2011.

This European Standard applies to the cartridges listed in Table 1.

Purpose

EN 16264 shall be revised according to the new Directive 2013/29/EU which replace the previous Directive 2007/23/EC according which the standard was developed. Such revision is part of a new proposed standardisation request of the European Commission which is likely to be notified to CEN/TC 212 by April/May 2022.

The feedback of manufacturers and users of the standard will also be taken into account to solve possible problems that were met in practical implementation of the standard and bring some improvements.