Safety in Appliance Manufacturing; Product compliance, consumer safety, and worker protection

Safety in appliance manufacturing involves ensuring products are safe for consumers and protecting the workers who assemble them. Getting this wrong can result in product failures, recalls, regulatory penalties, injuries and serious harm. Therefore, it is vital that the adhesives, sealants, and other materials chosen for manufacturing be safe, approved, and handled appropriately.

Key Regulations for Appliances

All materials used in appliances must meet specific safety standards depending on the application and where the product will be sold.

UL Recognition

Underwriters Laboratories (UL) certifications are broken down into different tiers and means the material has been tested and approved for a specific application; this includes UL 94 for flammability.

FDA Approval

Any material which may directly or indirectly contact food or beverages must be FDA approved, this includes refrigerator gaskets, dishwasher components, ice makers and more.

RoHS and REACH

European regulations designed to protect the environment and health. RoHS (restriction of Hazardous substances) restricts hazardous material in electronic equipment, and REACH (registration evaluation, authorisation, and restriction of chemicals) applies to chemicals in all industries.

Appliance Safety Considerations

Flammability and Fire Safety

Appliances contain heat sources and electrical components, which can overheat, fail, and even cause serious damage. Flame retardant materials with appropriate UL 94 ratings (V-0, V-1) should be considered as well as materials suitable for use near heating elements.

Chemical Off-Gassing

Some adhesives release volatile organic compound (VOCs) and other chemicals which create unpleasant odours, contaminate food, and pose inhalation risks. Low VOC and low-outgassing materials reduce this risk.

Electrical Safety

Adhesives used near electrical components should provide adequate dielectric strength and electrical insulation. Poor insulation can cause short circuits, shock hazards, and electrical fires.

Long Term Stability

Some materials can degrade over time causing premature appliance failure and reduced life span. Using quality materials means safety critical properties are maintained.

Understanding Materials

Workplace hazards can be present due to solvents and chemicals, to ensure worker safety, TDS’ an SDS’ should always be read and understood to ensure the workplace is suited to handle the material.

Safe Handling

Different materials require different storage requirements and training. Materials should be stored according to manufacturer specifications, and automation systems can be utilised to prevent human error and stress injuries.

Products to Consider

TECHSiL supply a wide range of products with different regulatory approvals suitable for the appliance industry, some of which include:

• SilCool TIA208R Thermally Conductive Silicone Potting/Gap Filler– UL RTI rating: 150°C and UL94V-0 flame retardancy
• Momentive TSE3331 Electronic Potting Silicone – UL94V-0 flame retardancy
• SilTrust ECC3050S Conformal Coating – UL94V-0 recognized
• Permabond ET5145 Epoxy Adhesive - FDA 175.105 and 175.300
• Permabond ET5147 Two Part Epoxy – FDA 175.105 and 175.300
• SnapSil TN8000 non-Corrosive Silicone Adhesive – UL94HB certified

Need Guidance on Appliance Safety?

Our Team can help you navigate adhesive safety, asses your current processes, and recommend the best solutions for your application. Book a free consultation today.

Why Choose TECHSiL?

• TDS & SDS available on request
• Full traceability
• FDA approvals
• UL recognised products
• RoHS/REACH approved products
• ISO9001:2015 Approval
• Repacking facilities and Stock Management
• Proven Technical Expertise

Book a Complimentary Consultation with our Appliance Expert