Peeps,
My input is as follows.
We design & manufacture electronic heating control systems, primarily for the domestic market. The sort of thing that you program so your hot water and central heating comes on when you want it.
We do not sell direct to Joe Public but to wholesalers (Newey & Eyre, Plumb Centre and the like). So they are our "customer".
We also design and manufacture electricity tariff meters, the ones that determine (god, that word again) your electricity bill. No more rotating disc. Digital techy stuff.
Anyway, bear with me.
For 7.2.1 a)
Requirements are Cost, delivery, warranty (5year), service & repair, sale or return in some cases and obviously the product must work.
For 7.2.1 b)
Due to the nature of our product we have a raft of "other" standards to adhere to that are product specific, such as BS EN 60730-1:2001 (Automatic Electrical Controls For Household And Similar Use). Now, I don't think our "customer" would be aware of these standards, but we need to be (and are). So this is a requirement.
I have spent the last two days testing units and various materials in cyclic ovens, humidity chambers and also subjecting other units to a simulated 4000V mains spike. All of these things are "invisible"to, and not stated by, the customer.
For 7.2.1 c)
On the tariff/utilities products, because we are producing products that will be used to generate revenue (the meter), it has to be very rigorously tested, calibrated and serial numbered. Each unit has, effectively, a C of C that goes with it.
Our large final testing lab soak tests, calibrates and logs all of the data for each individual meter.
This is rigorously checked by the men form OFGEM (Office of Gas and Electricity Markets) and all of this conforms with standards laid down by BEAB (phew!)
On top of this, we have the obvious health and safety issues for materials that can/can't be used.
I even have a red plastic handle which incorporates a moulded in metal, jointed protrusion. This is apparently, a British Standard "finger" for testing unreasonable access to enclosures.
It is calibrated to NAMAS Lab 0203. (Great for backscratching).
For 7.2.1 d)
The additional requirements that we "determined" was to actually extend the warranty period. We went from 3 to 5 years.
The other additional requirements we are working on at present are the cosmetic and ergonomic aspects of our products.
Time for a face-lift as some designs are about 8 years old.
Anyhow, sorry to blurt on, but that is what 7.2 means to me.
Have a great weekend.
Regards,
Chris.