Key facts about MPA Hannover
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Materials testing institute for civil engineering and production technology |
| Translation | Institute for Testing Materials for Construction and Production Technologies |
| Arrangement | Hannover, Lower Saxony, Germany |
| Affiliation | Leibniz Universität Hannover (Leibniz University) |
| Experience with abrasives | Over 60 years |
| Accreditation | DIN EN ISO/IEC 17065 (certification body) |
| Key standards | EN 12413, EN 13236, EN 13743, EN 847-1, EN 1083-1 |
| Organization type | Independent, unbiased laboratory |
| Contact | office@mpa-hannover.de | +49 511 762-8708 |
| Website | mpa-hannover.de |
What is MPA Hannover and why is it important?
MPA Hannover is an independent materials testing institute (Materialprüfanstalt) at the Leibniz University of Hannover. The institute serves industry, government agencies, courts and private individuals by performing impartial product testing for safety standards.
For abrasive tool manufacturers, MPA Hannover is the gold standard for independent certification. If the wheel bears the MPA marking, it means that the product has passed laboratory testing at one of the most reputable institutions in Europe.
It is important to understand that testing at MPA Hannover is a voluntary procedure. The law does not oblige the manufacturer to undergo testing at MPA. However, manufacturers who choose voluntary certification demonstrate transparency and responsibility to their customers.
History: 60+ years of abrasive testing
MPA Hannover has one of the longest histories of abrasive tool testing in Europe. The laboratory began testing rotating grinding wheels in the 1960s, when the industrial use of abrasives was growing rapidly, and with it the need for safety standards.
Over more than 60 years of operation, the laboratory has accumulated unique expertise in the safety assessment of abrasive tools. Today, MPA Hannover not only tests products, but also participates in the development of new standards and test methods.
Scientific partnership
MPA Hannover collaborates with the Institute for Forming and Machine Technology (IFUM) at the University of Hannover and other institutes of the Production Technology Center Hannover (PZH - Produktionstechnisches Zentrum Hannover). This collaboration ensures the continuous development of testing methods in line with technological developments in the abrasives industry.
Institute structure and areas of work
MPA Hannover is not just an abrasives laboratory. The institute has six specialized departments, each responsible for a specific testing area:
| Unit | Specialization |
|---|---|
| 1. Mechanical and technological tests | Compression and tensile testing of building materials |
| 2. Chemistry | Chemical analysis of building materials, quality control |
| 3. Road construction | Testing of asphalt, bitumen, concrete, aggregates |
| 4. Insulation and fire resistance | Mechanical and heat protection tests, fire safety |
| 5. Production technologies | Testing of abrasive tools, metal and plastic products. This is the department that tests grinding wheels |
| 6. Technical acceptance | Inspection of pipelines, welding procedures, certification of welders |
The Production Technology Division (Fachbereich Produktionstechnik) is the heart of abrasive testing at MPA Hannover. It houses specialized test stands for tensile and lateral load tests and measuring equipment for checking wheel geometry, balance and marking.
Accreditation and standards
MPA Hannover test results are recognized worldwide thanks to multi-level accreditation:
- DIN EN ISO/IEC 17065 - accreditation as a product certification body. This means that MPA is not only entitled to test, but also to officially certify products
- PÜZ-Stelle - authorization as a supervisory and certification body according to the Land Building Code (LBO) of Germany
- EU CPR— Notified Body for the EU Construction Products Regulation
Standards for abrasive tools
MPA Hannover's accreditation in the field of abrasives covers all major national and international standards:
| Standard | Name | What is covered? |
|---|---|---|
| EN 12413 | Safety requirements for bonded abrasives | Cutting and grinding wheels, bakelite/ceramic bonded grinding wheels |
| EN 13236 | Safety requirements for diamond or boron nitride grinding tools | Diamond wheels, cubic boron nitride tools |
| EN 13743 | Safety requirements for coated abrasives | Abrasives based on (sanding belts, fiber discs, flap discs) |
| EN 847-1 | Machine tools for woodworking — Safety requirements | Tools for woodworking machines |
| EN 1083-1 | Power-operated brushing tools | Mechanical brushes |
What exactly does MPA test: the testing process
Testing at MPA Hannover is not a formality. It is a series of physical tests that verify the real safety of the abrasive wheel under conditions that exceed normal operation.
Burst Test
Key safety test. The wheel is accelerated on a special stand to a speed that is significantly higher than the maximum operating speed. For 125 mm cutting wheels with a maximum speed of 80 m/s, the test speed will be even higher. The goal is to confirm that the wheel does not break even when the permissible speed is exceeded.
According to EN 12413, each type of wheel must withstand a certain safety factor - that is, the wheel must be safe even at speeds exceeding the rated speed.
Side Load Test
Simulates a situation where the operator presses on the wheel from the side — which can occur with incorrect working technique or when the wheel gets stuck in the workpiece. The test checks the wheel's resistance to lateral forces and bending.
Bending & Shear Test
Evaluates the mechanical strength of the bond and reinforcing layers. Especially important for thin cutting wheels (1.0-1.6 mm) where mechanical integrity is critical.
Dimensional & Balance Check (geometry and balance)
Checking compliance with the declared dimensions (diameter, thickness, mounting hole) and controlling runout. Wheel imbalance causes vibration, reduces cut quality and accelerates wear of grinder bearings.
Marking
MPA checks the compliance of the marking on the wheel with the requirements of EN 12413: maximum speed, shelf life, grain type, bond, manufacturer, safety pictograms.
EN 12413 - abrasives safety standard
EN 12413 (full title: "Safety requirements for bonded abrasive products") is the main European safety standard for bonded abrasive tools. The latest edition was published in 2019 (EN 12413:2019).
The standard defines:
- Classification of abrasive tools by shape, size and purpose
- Strength requirements - minimum failure rate relative to maximum operating speed
- Labeling requirements - what must be on the wheel and packaging
- Test methods - how to test (burst test, side load test)
- Storage and transportation requirements
According to the German Equipment and Product Safety Act (ProdSG, formerly GPSG) and the accident prevention regulations BGR 500, manufacturers, sellers and end users are responsible for ensuring that abrasive tools comply with the safety parameters of EN 12413.
What does the MPA certificate mean on a disc?
When “MPA Hannover” is indicated on an abrasive wheel or in the manufacturer’s catalog, it means:
- Product samples have been laboratory tested in the independent accredited laboratory MPA Hannover
- Tests have confirmed compliance with the safety requirements of EN 12413 (or other relevant standard)
- The product is assigned a unique certification number, confirming that it has passed the tests.
- The results are documented in an official MPA report (Prüfbericht)
What the MPA certificate does NOT mean
It is important to understand the limits of certification:
- MPA does not certify the manufacturing process (ISO 9001 does)
- MPA does not check every round - samples from batches are tested
- MPA is not a permanent production auditor (oSa does that)
- The certificate applies to the specific types/sizes of products that were tested.
That's why leading manufacturers combine MPA certification with oSa membership and ISO 9001 — creating a three-layered quality protection.
MPA Hannover and oSa: how they are connected
MPA Hannover and oSa (Organisation for the Safety of Abrasives) are two different but complementary elements of the abrasives safety system.
| Parameter | MPA Hannover | oSa |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Independent testing laboratory | International Producers Organization |
| What does | Tests product samples | Certifies the manufacturer and quality system |
| Focus | Product (specific type of disc) | Manufacturer (processes, equipment, system) |
| Frequency | Each type/size separately | Regular production audits |
| Standards | EN 12413, EN 13236, EN 13743 | Same + additional oSa requirements |
| Together | Product tested (MPA) + manufacturer controlled (oSa) = maximum safety | |
The oSa program requires the manufacturer to have its own certified equipment for burst and side load testing. This ensures quality control on every batch, not just at certification.
NovoAbrasive ta MPA Hannover
NovoAbrasive has been voluntarily testing its products at MPA Hannover since 2015. This is a conscious choice: the law does not oblige a Ukrainian manufacturer to be tested in a German laboratory. But for us, it is confirmation that our products meet the strictest international safety requirements.
What has been tested
In 2015, NovoAbrasive received MPA Hannover certificates for cutting wheels with diameters of 115, 125, 150, 180 and 230 mm. German specialists confirmed that NovoAbrasive products meet all safety requirements of the EN 12413 standard for bonded abrasive tools.
Each tested product type is assigned a unique certification number— confirmation of the brand's strategy to meet international standards.
NovoAbrasive Comprehensive Safety System
The MPA certificate is part of a multi-level quality and safety assurance system:
| Level | What provides | How implemented |
|---|---|---|
| External certification | Independent safety verification | MPA Hannover — product sample testing |
| Quality system | Stability of production processes | ISO 9001:2015 — quality management system |
| Internal control | Checking each batch | Own certified equipment according to oSa standards: burst test, side load test, batch traceability |
| Production control | Control at every stage | 9 QC stages: from incoming raw material inspection to control cuts |
| Industry Membership | Participation in the development of standards | Member of FEPA (European Federation of Abrasives Manufacturers) since 2017 |
More information about NovoAbrasive's 9 stages of quality control is available on the Quality Control page.
How to check MPA certificate
If a manufacturer claims to have MPA Hannover certification, there are several ways to verify this:
- Certification number on the disc or in the catalog - each tested product type has a unique MPA number
- Request a copy of the MPA report (Prüfbericht) - a manufacturer who has actually passed the test has an official laboratory report
- Contact MPA Hannover directly at office@mpa-hannover.de or +49 511 762-8708. The laboratory can confirm whether a specific product has been tested.
Frequently asked questions
Work with proven products
NovoAbrasive products undergo voluntary testing by MPA Hannover and meet EN 12413 standards