CE marking urged
Compliance with the European product standard EN 14351-1:2006* becomes mandatory in February 2010. From then, CE marking will become the simplest way to prove compliance with the Construction Products Directive (CPD).
Chiltern Dynamics’ senior test engineer Paul Andrews believes that manufacturers, however, are “largely unaware” that the CE mark is within their grasp. “Manufacturers can CE-mark their products now if they have already successfully passed the relevant testing requirements,” he said.
The standard forms part of a family of harmonised product standards for windows and doorsets and, said Mr Andrews, acts as a bridge between testing/classification standards and EU directives, as well as providing a ‘route map’ to CE marking. “EN14351-1 ensures that everyone is conducting very similar levels of testing for any given end use application. Although CE marking is not mandatory in the UK, the CE mark will give a very strong message to Building Control that a product confirms with the CPD, as it must.”
CE marking under EN 14351-1 is by manufacturer’s declaration, so for most companies, all they will have to do is “pull all their documents together in one file. Even a simple weather-tested window can probably be CE-marked if a factory production control system is in place, while manufacturers who have opted for Secured by Design via third-party certification such as the BM Trada Certification Q-Mark will have all the evidence they need.”
Mr Andrews conceded that although little appears to be driving a trend towards CE marking, ‘manufacturers who appreciate that it’s there for the taking are going to be that bit further down the line as and when CE marking becomes mandatory.’
* Windows and doors. Product standard, performance characteristics. Windows and external pedestrian doorsets without resistance to fire and/or smoke leakage characteristics
