OPINION: REGULATIONS
ON YOUR MARKS
Under the existing Construction Products Directive, CE marking is voluntary in the UK. But from 1 July 2013, any construction product must be CE marked, which will have significant implications for manufacturers and specifiers, says Hywel Davies
Introduction of the Construction Products
Regulations (CPR) next July is the biggest change in more than a decade for construction products sales across Europe. Under the Construction Products Directive (CPD), CE marking was not a legal requirement in the UK, although much of Europe required it. Twenty years, and many wrangles later, it will be a legal requirement. As a regulation, the CPR applies
directly in UK law without being transposed or implemented by Parliament. So it comes into force across the whole EU on 1 July 2013, after which any construction product placed on the market in the EU must be CE marked. This has significant implications for
18 CIBSE Journal January 2013
•A system of harmonised technical specifications (European Standards
product manufacturers, importers, distributors, specifiers, certification and test bodies, and regulators. The CPR aims to overcome technical barriers to trade in construction products in the European Economic Area. It has four main elements:
•An agreed system of conformity assessment and declaration
• A framework of notified bodies
• Statutory CE marking. CE marking indicates that
a product is consistent with a Declaration of Performance (DoP), made by the manufacturer, and
and European Technical Approvals)
for each product family with harmonised methods of product testing and assessment
The CPR aims to overcome technical barriers to trade in construction products
allows the product to be placed legally on the market in any member state. Although the product may be placed on the market, it may not be suitable for all end uses in all member states, since each member state has its own building regulations. After 1 July 2013, construction products placed on the market in the UK and covered by a harmonised standard (hEN) or an ETA must be accompanied by a DoP and be CE marked. The DoP will be based on the provisions of the current hEN (or ETA) applicable. Where a notified body is required
to assist with the conformity assessment of the product, its advice should be sought on the provision of DoPs. In due course all hENs published under the CPR will be
www.cibsejournal.com
LUIZ ROCHA / SHUTTERSTOCK
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84