Product Safety Regulation (GPSR)
Possible Product Risks from Using Compagnon Products
Compagnon products are developed and manufactured with the highest standards of functionality, durability, comfort, and quality. We pride ourselves on the sustainability of our products and their production processes. The following table outlines possible product risks associated with the use of our products, as required by the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR). Product variants that differ by size and/or color may be grouped together for clarity if these factors do not result in significant differences in product risks.
Defects in Compagnon products are fortunately extremely rare. The risks listed in this table refer to conceivable defects or limitations, their causes, and results. Such defects are generally not reproducible during our own product tests, nor have they been reported by customers or resolved as warranty or guarantee claims. The listed risks typically involve noticeable/observable defects should they occur. Furthermore, average careful product use, even in professional applications, is usually insufficient to result in these risk factors. Predominantly, negligent, careless, reckless, or actively destructive use of the product must be assumed.
| Product(s) | Conceivable Product Risk | Risk Assessment (1-5) | Possible Impact | Severity of Impact (1-5) | Applicability to Product and Product Test Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Element backpack 30L, Element backpack 20L, Adapt backpack 25L, Element sling 18L, Element sling 7L, Element pouch | Wear and tear on materials under heavy use | 2 | Reduced functionality, decreased or severely limited weather resistance, risk of material failure at components or surfaces | 4 | Due to the exceptionally high material quality and robustness of the products, significant material wear is only expected later in the product lifecycle, even under heavy use. |
| Element backpack 30L, Element backpack 20L, Adapt backpack 25L, Element sling 18L, Element sling 7L, Element pouch | Fatigue in straps, handles, quick-release fasteners, or zippers due to excessive load weight, uneven load distribution, tensile load, or continued use despite structural defects in the respective components. | 3 | Reduced weather resistance, decreased carrying comfort, restriction or loss of usability, potential damage to transported items. | 4 | Due to the exceptionally high material quality and robustness of the product components, significant wear or damage is only expected later in the product lifecycle, even under heavy use. Damage from mechanical impact during atypical product use can usually be repaired with replacement parts. |
| Element backpack 30L, Element backpack 20L, Adapt backpack 25L, Element sling 18L, Element sling 7L, Element pouch | Defective or faulty seams or other connection points. | 1 | Reduced or insufficient strength and load capacity, restriction or loss of product usability, reduced weather resistance, loss of carrying comfort, potential damage to transported items. | 4 | Due to exceptionally high manufacturing quality, intensive quality assurance, and redundant construction, product defects leading to loss of functionality are unlikely. Unintended variations caused by handwork that could affect durability are rare and minimal. Defects of this type can typically be noticed and repaired before failure. |
| Element backpack 30L, Element backpack 20L, Adapt backpack 25L, Element sling 18L | Insufficient temperature balance and/or inadequate ventilation of the body contact surface with the product relative to individual requirements. | 1 | Reduced comfort due to heat build-up and increased perspiration, which could potentially lead to skin irritation in particularly sensitive skin. | 1 | Innovative design in terms of ergonomics and ventilation, combined with premium materials like 3D Air Mesh and EVA padding, makes significant discomfort or health impacts from heat build-up very unlikely. Often, discomfort is primarily influenced by unsuitable clothing that lacks moisture and/or temperature regulation properties. |
| Element backpack 30L, Element backpack 20L, Adapt backpack 25L, Element sling 18L, Element sling 7L, Element pouch | Inadequate weather resistance, penetration of moisture into the product's interior. | 2 | Reduced protection of transported items. | 1 | The Element Line products are exceptionally weather-resistant due to their materials and workmanship. Ignored material or component damage, incomplete closure, and/or immersion/submersion in water can lead to moisture entering the product. |
| Element backpack 30L, Element backpack 20L, Adapt backpack 25L, Element sling 7L, Element sling 18L, Element pouch | Insufficient UV resistance of materials and components. | 1 | Fading or lightening of materials, structural damage, and reduced durability due to accelerated aging. | 1 | The Element Line products are exceptionally well-protected against UV damage and material changes due to high-quality materials and workmanship. UV radiation only causes accelerated aging after prolonged exposure to very high levels. Fading of materials is rare and minimal. |
| Element backpack 30L, Element backpack 20L, Adapt backpack 25L, Element sling 7L, Element sling 18L | Material fatigue in padding or hook-and-loop connections. | 1 | Padding is less stable in the product and may not maintain its protective function for heavy items, potentially leading to transport damage. | 3 | The Element Line products are exceptionally durable due to their materials and workmanship. The hook-and-loop combinations for interior padding allow hundreds of attach/detach cycles per position before significant loss of attachment strength is expected. Even with partially detached padding, damage to transported items is typically only due to careless use. |
| Element backpack 30L, Element backpack 20L, Adapt backpack 25L | Ergonomic risks from strain on the body, musculoskeletal system, and/or back. | 2 | Carrying load is not optimally distributed on the user's body; fit may not be ideal for individual body conditions. Pressure points, uneven strain, and orthopedic issues may occur. | 2 | The Element and Adapt Lines are designed around an ergonomic CarryLite system. The Element backpack is ergonomically tailored for users of different heights to ensure an optimal fit. Padding and materials reduce friction and discomfort. The load is effectively distributed across the user’s musculoskeletal system. We advise against carrying loads exceeding 20 kg for health reasons (less for individuals with unfavorable physical conditions). Uneven strain points occurred during tests only when users deliberately carried the products unevenly or did not properly adjust the carrying system to their bodies. |
| Element sling 7L | Insufficient temperature regulation and/or inadequate ventilation of the body contact surface with the product based on individual requirements. | 1 | Reduced carrying comfort due to heat build-up and increased perspiration, which may cause skin irritation in particularly sensitive skin. | 1 | Innovative design in terms of ergonomics and ventilation, combined with premium materials like 3D Air Mesh and EVA padding, makes significant heat build-up with impacts on comfort or health highly unlikely. Often, unsuitable clothing that lacks moisture and/or temperature-regulating properties is a major cause of discomfort. Due to the relatively small contact area with the body, significant heat build-up is rarely conceivable. |
| Element sling 18L | Ergonomic risks due to strain on the body, musculoskeletal system, and/or back. | 3 | The carrying load is not optimally distributed on the user's body; the fit may not be ideal for the user's physical conditions. Pressure points, uneven loads, and orthopedic issues may occur. | 2 | The Element Line and Adapt Line products are developed around an ergonomic CarryLite system. Due to the design-based distribution of the load on only one shoulder, the strain on the body is generally higher compared to a similarly well-designed backpack with a hip belt. For health reasons, we advise against carrying loads exceeding 12-15 kg (possibly less with unfavorable physical conditions). Correct carrying position and sufficient breaks should always be ensured for shoulder bags. |
| Element sling 7L | Ergonomic risks due to strain on the body, musculoskeletal system, and/or back. | 1 | The carrying load is not optimally distributed on the user's body; the fit may not be ideal for the user's physical conditions. Pressure points, uneven loads, and orthopedic issues may occur. | 3 | The Element Line and Adapt Line products are developed around an ergonomic CarryLite system. Due to the design-based distribution of the load on only one shoulder, the strain on the body is generally higher compared to a similarly well-designed backpack with a hip belt. For health reasons, we advise against carrying loads exceeding 10 kg (possibly less with unfavorable physical conditions). Correct carrying position and sufficient breaks should always be ensured for shoulder bags. Due to the compact size and comparatively low overall weight of the Element sling 7L, noticeable ergonomic risks are very rarely expected. |
| Heritage Line backpack, little backpack | Material wear under particularly heavy use. | 3 | Reduced functionality, decreased or significantly limited weather resistance, risk of material failure in components or surfaces. | 4 | Due to the exceptionally high material quality and durability of the products, significant material wear is only expected later in the product lifecycle. However, natural products like even the highest-quality leather have certain wear limits and are highly dependent on their maintenance condition. Neglected and/or improper care can significantly reduce weather resistance and longevity. |
| Heritage Line weekender, little weekender, messenger, medium messenger, little messenger, nano messenger, bold strap, strap, toolbag | Material wear under particularly heavy use. | 3 | Reduced functionality, decreased or significantly limited weather resistance, risk of material failure in components or surfaces. | 4 | Due to the exceptionally high material quality and durability of the products, significant material wear is only expected later in the product lifecycle. However, natural products like even the highest-quality leather have certain wear limits and are highly dependent on their maintenance condition. Neglected and/or improper care can significantly reduce weather resistance and longevity. Canvas and/or cotton fabrics also require regular care to remain weather-resistant and robust throughout the product lifecycle. |
| Heritage Line weekender, little weekender, messenger, medium messenger, little messenger, nano messenger, bold strap, strap, toolbag, backpack, little backpack | Material fatigue in straps, handles, quick-release fasteners, or zippers due to excessive load weight, uneven load distribution, tensile load, or continued use despite structural defects in the respective components. | 3 | Reduced weather resistance, decreased carrying comfort, restriction or loss of usability, potential damage to transported items. | 4 | Due to the exceptionally high material quality and durability of the product components, significant wear or damage typically only occurs later in the product lifecycle. However, damage and material failure, even in the case of massive and high-quality components, can never be completely ruled out. Damage caused by mechanical impacts due to atypical product use can usually be repaired with replacement parts. |
| Heritage Line weekender, little weekender, messenger, medium messenger, little messenger, nano messenger, bold strap, strap, toolbag, backpack, little backpack | Defective or faulty seams or other connection points. | 2 | Reduced or insufficient strength and load capacity, restriction or loss of product usability, reduced weather resistance, loss of carrying comfort, potential damage to transported items. | 4 | Due to exceptionally high manufacturing quality, intensive quality assurance, and high-quality construction, product defects leading to loss of functionality are unlikely. Variations caused by handwork that could affect durability are rare and minimal. Such defects can typically be noticed and repaired before failure. |
| Heritage Line backpack, little backpack | Insufficient temperature regulation and/or inadequate ventilation of the body contact surface with the product based on individual requirements. | 3 | Reduced carrying comfort due to heat build-up and increased perspiration, which may cause skin irritation in particularly sensitive skin. Interactions between perspiration, cosmetic products, detergent residues, clothing composition, and leather dyeing. | 2 | Padding and product design promote temperature regulation at the contact points between the body and the product. The possibilities for moisture wicking and ventilation are limited for leather. Unsuitable clothing that lacks moisture and/or temperature regulation properties is often a major cause of discomfort. Natural tanning without chemical sealing cannot completely exclude discoloration in textiles caused by chemical interactions with perspiration, cosmetics, detergent residues, or similar factors. |
| Heritage Line weekender, little weekender, messenger, medium messenger, little messenger, nano messenger, bold strap, strap | Insufficient temperature regulation and/or inadequate ventilation of the body contact surface with the product based on individual requirements. | 1 | Reduced carrying comfort due to heat build-up and increased perspiration, which may cause skin irritation in particularly sensitive skin. | 1 | Small contact areas, carrying position, and product design promote temperature regulation at the contact points between the body and the product. The possibilities for moisture wicking and ventilation are limited for leather. Unsuitable clothing that lacks moisture and/or temperature regulation properties is often a major cause of discomfort. Natural tanning without chemical sealing cannot completely exclude discoloration in textiles caused by chemical interactions with perspiration, cosmetics, detergent residues, or similar factors. Significant heat build-up with impacts on comfort or health is highly unlikely. |
| Heritage Line weekender, little weekender, messenger, medium messenger, little messenger, nano messenger, bold strap, strap, toolbag, backpack, little backpack | Insufficient weather resistance, penetration of moisture into the interior of the product. | 3 | Reduced protection for transported items. | 3 | The weather resistance of Heritage Line products depends on the maintenance condition of materials, particularly leather and canvas. Heritage Line products are weather-resistant as long as a maintained layer of waxes and oils is present on the materials. The zippers do not match the weather resistance level of Element Line products and therefore require additional protection against water penetration during heavy rain. |
| Heritage Line weekender, little weekender, messenger, medium messenger, little messenger, nano messenger, bold strap, strap, toolbag, backpack, little backpack | Insufficient UV resistance of materials and components. | 2 | Fading or lightening of materials, structural damage, and reduced durability due to accelerated aging. | 2 | Heritage Line products are sufficiently protected against UV damage and material changes due to high-quality materials and craftsmanship. UV exposure can accelerate the drying and aging of leather and canvas during prolonged exposure to above-average radiation. Fading of materials is also possible to a certain extent. |
| Heritage Line weekender, little weekender, messenger, medium messenger, little messenger, nano messenger, toolbag, backpack, little backpack | Material fatigue in padding or hook-and-loop connections. | 1 | Padding is less stable in the product and may not maintain its protective function for heavy items, potentially leading to transport damage. | 2 | Heritage Line products are exceptionally durable due to their materials and workmanship. The hook-and-loop combinations for interior padding allow thousands of attach/detach cycles per position before a significant loss of attachment strength is expected. Even with partially detached padding, damage to transported items is typically only due to careless use. |
| Heritage Line backpack, little backpack | Ergonomic risks due to strain on the body, musculoskeletal system, and/or back. | 3 | The carrying load is not optimally distributed on the user's body; the fit may not be ideal for the user's physical conditions. Pressure points, uneven loads, and orthopedic issues may occur. | 3 | The backpack and little backpack models in the Heritage Line feature padded back panels and straps that adapt to the user over time. Additionally, these models offer an appropriate fit for users of different heights. For health reasons, we advise against carrying loads exceeding 10-12 kg (possibly less for individuals with unfavorable physical conditions). Load distribution across the musculoskeletal system is limited, and physical fatigue or strain discomfort may occur during extended wear. |
| Heritage Line weekender, little weekender, messenger | Ergonomic risks due to strain on the body, musculoskeletal system, and/or back. | 3 | The carrying load is not optimally distributed on the user's body; the fit may not be ideal for the user's physical conditions. Pressure points, uneven loads, and orthopedic issues may occur. | 3 | Large-volume shoulder bags in the Heritage Line offer comfortable carrying and adapt to the user over time. For health reasons, we advise against carrying loads exceeding 10-12 kg (possibly less for individuals with unfavorable physical conditions). Load distribution across the entire musculoskeletal system is not possible, and uneven strain due to carrying on one shoulder is design-related. Physical fatigue or strain discomfort can occur during prolonged use. |
| Heritage Line medium messenger, little messenger, nano messenger, bold strap, strap | Ergonomic risks due to strain on the body, musculoskeletal system, and/or back. | 3 | The carrying load is not optimally distributed on the user's body; the fit may not be ideal for the user's physical conditions. Pressure points, uneven loads, and orthopedic issues may occur. | 2 | Small-volume shoulder bags in the Heritage Line offer comfortable carrying and adapt to the user over time. For health reasons, we advise against carrying loads exceeding 6-10 kg (possibly less for individuals with unfavorable physical conditions). Load distribution across the entire musculoskeletal system is not possible, and uneven strain due to carrying on one shoulder is design-related. However, due to more compact dimensions, significant overloads of the musculoskeletal system are rarely noticeable and of less impact. |
Listing of possible risks that may arise from using Compagnon products. This table fulfills the requirements of the EU GPSR. Applied scale for the likelihood of risk occurrence: 1- Very low: Risk is unlikely or has minimal impact. 2- Low: Risk is possible but has limited impact. 3- Medium: Risk is moderately likely and has moderate impact. 4- High: Risk is likely and has significant impact. 5- Very high: Risk is almost certain and has severe impact. Applied scale for the severity of possible impacts: 1- Very low: Barely noticeable effects, e.g., cosmetic defects without functional impairment. 2- Low: Minor impairments that do not significantly affect functionality. 3- Medium: Moderate impact on functionality or user comfort, repairable. 4- High: Significant impairment of function or comfort, repair or replacement may be required. 5- Very high: Loss of functionality, significant damage, repair difficult, replacement required.