FAQ
Q: Can non-certified lashing equipment void cargo insurance? A: Yes. Using lashing equipment without EN 12195 certification and a valid blue label can void your CMR cargo insurance policy. Most European cargo insurance policies require compliance with EN 12195 load securing standards. Non-compliant equipment gives insurers legal grounds to reject damage claims.
Q: What lashing equipment is required by EU law? A: EU law requires all cargo lashing equipment to comply with EN 12195 standards. Lashing straps must carry a blue label showing LC (Lashing Capacity), STF (Standard Tension Force), and BF (Breaking Force). EU Directive 2014/47/EU mandates roadside inspections to verify compliance.
Q: What is the blue label on lashing straps? A: The blue label is a mandatory certification mark on EN 12195-2 compliant lashing straps. It shows the strap’s lashing capacity (LC), breaking force (BF), and standard tension force (STF). Without the blue label, the strap is non-compliant — and cargo insurance may be invalidated.
Introduction
Every logistics manager in Europe knows the feeling of a damage claim. What very few realise is that the claim may not just be expensive — it may be entirely uninsured.
The reason? Non-certified cargo lashing equipment.
Across the EU, cargo insurance policies — including CMR insurance — contain a compliance clause: cargo must be secured in accordance with EN 12195 standards. Use non-certified lashing straps, and your insurer has legal grounds to void the claim. The cargo lashing equipment you choose is not just a safety decision. It is a legal and financial one.
This article explains the legal framework for cargo lashing in Europe, what “certified lashing equipment” actually means, and what happens to your cargo insurance when that certification is missing.
The Legal Framework: What EU Law Says About Cargo Lashing Equipment
EN 12195: The European Standard for Load Securing
EN 12195 is the primary European standard governing cargo lashing and load securing on road vehicles. It consists of four parts:
- EN 12195-1:2010 — Calculation of lashing forces (how many straps and what LC values are required)
- EN 12195-2:2001 — Lashing straps made from man-made fibres (ratchet straps, webbing slings)
- EN 12195-3:2001 — Load securing chains
- EN 12195-4:2003 — Steel wire ropes
All certified cargo lashing equipment sold in the EU must comply with the relevant part of EN 12195. Non-certified lashing straps — typically cheaper, unbranded products — do not meet these standards and are not legally compliant for freight transport.
EU Directive 2014/47/EU: Roadside Enforcement
EU Directive 2014/47/EU mandates uniform roadside inspection of commercial vehicles across all EU member states. Inspectors from the EU organisation EURO Controle Route (ECR) check load securing compliance against standardised checklists. Non-compliant cargo lashing equipment means:
- Immediate fine for the driver and carrier
- Mandatory vehicle detention until the violation is resolved
- Formal inspection report — which can be used by insurers in a subsequent claim dispute
CMR Convention: The Carrier’s Liability
Under the CMR Convention (Convention on the Contract for the International Carriage of Goods by Road), the carrier is responsible for cargo from the moment of loading to delivery. If cargo is damaged due to improper load securing — including the use of non-certified lashing equipment — the carrier bears full liability.
CMR insurance typically covers this liability. However, most CMR insurance policies explicitly require compliance with applicable load securing standards. Non-certified cargo lashing equipment is a direct breach of this condition.
How Non-Certified Lashing Equipment Voids Cargo Insurance
The Insurance Compliance Clause
Most European cargo insurance policies — including CMR insurance — contain a clause requiring that cargo be secured in compliance with applicable regulations and standards. In the EU, this means EN 12195.
When a damage claim is filed, insurers investigate the cause. If they find that non-certified lashing straps were used, they have legal grounds to apply the compliance clause and deny the claim.
The critical point: the burden of proof lies with the carrier, not the insurer. You must demonstrate that certified cargo lashing equipment was used and properly applied. Without EN 12195-compliant straps — identifiable by their blue label — you cannot meet this burden.
The Blue Label: Proof of Certification
Under EN 12195-2:2001, every compliant lashing strap must carry a visible, intact blue label on all detachable sections. This label is your legal proof of compliance. It must show:
- LC — Lashing Capacity (in daN): the maximum force the strap can withstand in direct lashing
- STF — Standard Tension Force: the pre-tension force applied with 50 daN hand force
- BF — Breaking Force: the force at which the strap fails
- Manufacturer certification mark (e.g., TÜV, GS)
A lashing strap without a blue label is not EN 12195-compliant. It cannot be legally used for cargo lashing in the EU. And if used, it may invalidate your cargo insurance.
Hardware Requirements
EN 12195-2 also sets requirements for hardware:
- Ratchets and hooks must have a safety factor of at least 2× the LC value
- The strap webbing must have a safety factor of at least 3× the LC value
- The entire lashing system must have a failure rating of at least 2× the LC value
Cheap cargo lashing equipment typically fails these requirements — even when it appears visually similar to certified straps.
The Real Cost of Non-Certified Cargo Lashing Equipment
Direct Financial Risk
Consider a typical European freight scenario: a carrier transporting industrial equipment worth €40,000 using budget, non-certified lashing straps. The cargo shifts during braking. Goods are damaged.
The carrier files a CMR insurance claim. The insurer’s assessor investigates and finds non-certified lashing equipment — no blue label, LC values not verifiable. The compliance clause is applied. The claim is denied.
The carrier absorbs the full €40,000 loss — plus re-delivery costs, client penalties, and legal fees.
The saving on non-certified lashing straps: €80.
Indirect Risk: Regulatory Fines and Criminal Liability
Beyond insurance, non-certified cargo lashing equipment creates regulatory and criminal exposure:
- Regulatory fines: EU Directive 2014/47/EU inspections result in on-the-spot fines for non-compliant load securing
- Criminal liability: In the event of an accident caused by cargo shift, the carrier and driver face potential criminal prosecution for negligent load securing
- Insurance premium increases: Each CMR insurance event — even a resolved one — raises base premiums at renewal
The Lashing Equipment Cost vs. Cargo Value Ratio
Certified cargo lashing equipment — EN 12195-compliant ratchet straps, chains, and cargo nets — typically represents less than 0.5–1% of the cargo value being transported. The ROI of certified lashing equipment, when measured against claim avoidance, consistently exceeds 400%.
How to Ensure Your Cargo Lashing Equipment Is Compliant
Checklist: Certified Lashing Equipment Compliance
Use this checklist before every load:
✅ Every lashing strap has an intact blue label (EN 12195-2)
✅ The LC value is sufficient for the cargo weight and lashing angle
✅ The STF value is verified for tie-down lashing applications
✅ Ratchets and hooks show no cracks, deformation, or corrosion
✅ Strap webbing has no cuts, abrasions, or UV damage
✅ Each strap has been inspected annually by an authorised person
✅ Damaged straps are immediately removed from service and destroyed
✅ The number of lashing straps meets EN 12195-1 calculations for cargo weight
Annual Inspection Requirement
EN 12195-2 requires that all lashing straps be inspected at least once a year by an authorised person. Straps that fail inspection must be removed from service and cannot be repaired — they must be destroyed so they cannot be reused.
Supplier Verification
When sourcing cargo lashing equipment, verify:
- Products carry EN 12195 certification
- Blue labels are present and legible on all straps
- The supplier can provide documentation of compliance
- Products are not generic, unbranded imports without traceable certification
Conclusion: Cargo Lashing Equipment Is Your Insurance Policy
Certified cargo lashing equipment is not an optional expense. Under EU law — EN 12195 and EU Directive 2014/47/EU — it is a legal requirement. Under CMR insurance terms, it is the condition on which your claim coverage depends.
Non-certified lashing straps cost less upfront. But the moment cargo is damaged, that saving becomes the reason your insurer denies the claim.
Certified cargo lashing equipment costs less than 1% of the cargo value it protects. An uninsured claim costs everything.
Choose EN 12195-certified lashing straps, chains, and cargo nets. Verify the blue label. Inspect regularly. Document compliance.
Your cargo insurance depends on it.
LPX Trade SIA supplies EN 12195-certified cargo lashing equipment — ratchet straps, lashing chains, cargo nets, webbing slings, and load securing accessories — for freight transport professionals across the EU.
📦 Browse certified cargo lashing equipment: lpxtrade.lv 📧 info@lpxtrade.lv | 📞 +371 29207409