Equipment like ropes, slings, harness, etc. have the manufacture date on their label. I still have some older equipment without any manufacture date written on their label.
When did it become compulsory to be written at the label?
... just for calming, I plan to reanimate my hobby, I am going to replace my stuff anyway.
I found these ones at Edelrid webpage EN 12277:2007.
The following compulsory information is provided by the manufacturer on the product:
- Type of harness / model designation;
- Information explaining how to correctly fasten and secure any buckles or adjustment devices;
- Label or pictogram to indicate that type D harnesses may not be used alone;
- Label or pictogram to indicate the correct ‚tie-in-method‘;
- Year of manufacture, manufacturer;
- Reference to user manual;
- Size, if applicable; maximum weight and size ranges, only for type B harnesses;
- CE mark with 4-digit identification number;
For ropes it would be EN 892:2012-11
The following compulsory information is supplied by the manufacturer on the product:
- Manufacturer/trading name;
- Year manufactured;
- Length specification;
- Type of rope/diameter;
- Symbol for
- Single rope
- Half rope
- Twin rope
- CE mark with 4-digit identification number
And for slings/quickdraws it would be EN 566:2006
The following compulsory information is supplied by the manufacturer on the product:
- Name of manufacturer;
- Breaking strength;
- EN 566;
- Year manufactured;
- CE mark with 4-digit identification number
To summarize, if your textile equipment does not have the manufacture date printed on the label, then it is older than 10 years (or even 15 years) - and should be replaced.
Just for sake of completeness: