CE marking is a declaration by the
manufacturer that the product meets all the appropriate provisions
of the relevant legislation implementing certain European
Directives. It was introduced to the construction industry by the
European Commission through the Construction Products
Directive (CPD) to help break down trade barriers.
A product with CE marking can be placed on the market
of any country of the European Economic Area without adaptation or
rechecking.
CE marking, however, does not automatically confirm that a
product meets detailed health and safety requirements. These remain
the responsibility of EC member states and often relate directly to
national regulations. Responsibility for ensuring that a product
has the correct characteristics for a particular application rests
with designers, contractors and local building authorities.
The technical requirements for CE marking are set out in harmonised European standards
(hENs) and, for innovative products not covered by standards,
in European Technical
Approvals (ETAs). The Construction Products
Regulation (CPR) replaces the Construction Products
Directive (CPD); the main provisions, however, will not come
into force until July 2013.
The BBA has helped to put a
guide together with the Construction Products Association
and others to help explain the implications of the CPR.
CE marking is considered a "passport" for technical information
relating to a construction product.
For a quick overview of CE marking read the BBA's Top 20 hints and
tips about CE marking!