The following may help explain some things from the opposite perspective and especially as testing of products is always an interesting area.
As pointed out by some and apparent from others comments, we generally take note of and pay a lot of interest in the standards an item has been tested to when selecting / buying it.
Unfortunately this information is not always representative of the products actual capabilities.
When designing a product most manufacturers have a function, user group or user application in mind and test it for that.
It is also quite likely that the item can fulfil other functions and so the testing may be broadened to cover it or possibly not.
If the manufacturer doesn't identify or value the opportunity the additional testing would provide then they may not widen the testing to cover it.
Fundamentally testing and certification can be expensive so you target it to areas you are most interested in or where you recoup your costs.
As users this can be a little frustrating as some items are tested and certified for your purpose, but perform badly.
The truth then is that they may have been designed for that purpose, but they are simply not very good products.
Other items lack the testing and certification for your application, but when used perform really well.
These may just be really good products aimed at a different market and if the testing had been broadened they would most likely have passed, but without it where do you stand?
Well your position is unclear.
You know it works, but lack the endorsement of the manufacturer or reassurance of testing.
As a private individual you can use it at your own risk, but you may feel a little short changed or unappreciated as a customer.
You could approach the manufacturer who may have additional information.
You should also remember that product instructions do not have to be comprehensive they only have to achieve the bare minimum to comply!
This unfortunately presents problems to those who partake in minority activities.
In cavings case we often push the limits and look for gains, but test standards and the wider market struggle to keep up.
This is where you all need good representation and whilst the French are better looked after you would have to say that BCA has not really grasped this, but that is not to say it can't..........
If manufacturers think they will lose income by failing to do something they will change and the role of a national body should be to apply pressure from us all collectively.
So who wants to push our national association to back people like the rope testers?
As pointed out by some and apparent from others comments, we generally take note of and pay a lot of interest in the standards an item has been tested to when selecting / buying it.
Unfortunately this information is not always representative of the products actual capabilities.
When designing a product most manufacturers have a function, user group or user application in mind and test it for that.
It is also quite likely that the item can fulfil other functions and so the testing may be broadened to cover it or possibly not.
If the manufacturer doesn't identify or value the opportunity the additional testing would provide then they may not widen the testing to cover it.
Fundamentally testing and certification can be expensive so you target it to areas you are most interested in or where you recoup your costs.
As users this can be a little frustrating as some items are tested and certified for your purpose, but perform badly.
The truth then is that they may have been designed for that purpose, but they are simply not very good products.
Other items lack the testing and certification for your application, but when used perform really well.
These may just be really good products aimed at a different market and if the testing had been broadened they would most likely have passed, but without it where do you stand?
Well your position is unclear.
You know it works, but lack the endorsement of the manufacturer or reassurance of testing.
As a private individual you can use it at your own risk, but you may feel a little short changed or unappreciated as a customer.
You could approach the manufacturer who may have additional information.
You should also remember that product instructions do not have to be comprehensive they only have to achieve the bare minimum to comply!
This unfortunately presents problems to those who partake in minority activities.
In cavings case we often push the limits and look for gains, but test standards and the wider market struggle to keep up.
This is where you all need good representation and whilst the French are better looked after you would have to say that BCA has not really grasped this, but that is not to say it can't..........
If manufacturers think they will lose income by failing to do something they will change and the role of a national body should be to apply pressure from us all collectively.
So who wants to push our national association to back people like the rope testers?
