ANPI now accredited for testing and certification
Every year in Belgium, dozens of families and workers are exposed to a silent danger: carbon monoxide (CO). A colorless, odorless, and potentially lethal gas, CO remains the leading cause of death by chemical poisoning in the country. To help mitigate these risks, ANPI has reached a major milestone by obtaining official accreditation to test and certify domestic CO alarms.
To accompany this announcement, ANPI has published the Technical Dossier "ANPI DTD 193 – Domestic CO Alarms," available on our e-shop. This dossier contains all essential information regarding CO, alarms, how they operate, applicable standards, and recommendations for placement and safety.
A vital safety issue
Between 2020 and 2023, the Poison Centre recorded an average of 245 CO-related incidents per year, resulting in an annual average of 554 victims and 16 deaths. Whether in homes equipped with poorly connected heaters or boilers, or in professional settings exposed to combustion engines and CO-generating equipment, this gas remains a silent killer.
CO alarms are therefore essential for providing early warning to occupants and limiting the consequences of poisoning. However, as with any safety system, their reliability must be verified: a defective or untested detector can create a false sense of security and lead to avoidable risks.
Rigorous and standardized testing
To guarantee their effectiveness, detectors are subjected to a series of demanding tests. These tests verify that the device:
- Triggers the alarm at the correct CO concentration thresholds.
- Remains functional under extreme conditions of temperature, humidity, or voltage variation.
- Does not generate false alarms when exposed to other gases.
- Maintains performance after prolonged CO exposure or physical impact.
ANPI's laboratories are now equipped with all the necessary protocols and equipment to perform these tests in accordance with the EN 50291-1 standard.
Accreditation recognized by BELAC
Following a BELAC audit in 2025, ANPI has been officially accredited to conduct tests and issue BOSEC certificates for CO alarms (see our accreditation scopes 003-TEST and 003-PROD). This accreditation guarantees that any ANPI-certified detector has been independently tested and complies with the strictest safety requirements.
A BOSEC-certified detector is a true hallmark of quality and reliability. For manufacturers, it represents official recognition of compliance with standards. For users, it offers the assurance that their protection against CO is optimal.
Another step toward universal safety
With this accreditation, ANPI strengthens its role as a key partner in preventing risks related to carbon monoxide in both residential and professional environments. Occupant safety and equipment reliability are no longer left to chance: every ANPI-certified detector contributes directly to saving lives.
