Technical standards for Construction Products

Technical standards for Construction Products

The placing on the European Union (EU) market of construction products is subject to Directive 89/106/EEC (OJ L-40 11/02/1989), which does not lay down the essential requirements regarding the products themselves, but the construction works in which these products are to be incorporated. Essential requirements for works are developed and translated into technical specifications by means of interpretative documents.

Scope of application

The Directive applies to construction products, meaning any product which is produced with a view to permanent incorporation into construction works, including both buildings and civil engineering works.

Essential requirements and interpretative documents

Essential requirements do not refer to construction products but to construction works in which these products are to be incorporated. Construction products must be suitable for works which satisfy, for an economically reasonable working life, the essential requirements set out in Annex I to the Directive, which refer to mechanical resistance, stability, safety in case of fire, hygiene, health and the environment.

Interpretative documents serve as a bridge between the essential requirements and the technical specifications. They harmonise the terminology and the technical bases, indicating classes for each requirement and methods of correlating these classes with the technical specifications. The classification of requirements into product classes is designed to take into account the differences of geographical position, climate and way of life which exist in the various Member States. A list of the interpretative documents under this Directive can be found at: http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/construction/internal/intdoc/intdoc.htm

Harmonised standards

The technical specifications to meet the above essential requirements are not described in the Directive, which allows manufacturers, or their representatives, to fulfil the essential requirements by any appropriate means. However, the following types of specifications provide a presumption of conformity to the essential requirements they implement:

(a) Harmonised standards

Harmonised standards are established by the European standardisation bodies (CEN and CENELEC) on the basis of the mandates given by the Commission, having regard to interpretative documents and guidance papers. European standards drawn up by these bodies are given priority over Member States’ standards.

A list of approved harmonised standards can be found at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/newapproach/standardization/harmstds/reflist/construc.html

(b) European technical approvals

The European Organisation of Technical Approvals (EOTA) draws up technical approvals guidelines (ETAG) for some sectors. A list of endorsed ETAGs can be found at: http://www.eota.be/html/endorsed.htm.

For products which strongly deviate from the European or national standards manufacturers or their representatives can request an approval body, member of EOTA, to certificate a European Technical Approval (ETA) according to the assessment principles set out in the relevant ETA guideline. In product areas where technical approval guidelines do not exist, the approval could also be awarded subject to the agreement of all EOTA bodies and the European Commission.

A list of issued ETAs can be found at: http://www.eota.be/html/etawhoutetag.htm

(c) National technical standards

In the absence of harmonised standards and European technical approvals, national technical specifications may be recognized as providing a suitable basis for a presumption that the essential requirements are met. This standards have to be notified to and accepted by the European Commission and the other Member States.

Compliance attestation

Compliance attestation procedures are specified in ETAGs and Commission Decisions either by product, by product family or by horizontal subjects (like dangerous substances or fire resistance of certain products). The degree of involvement in these procedures of the manufacturer depends on the affected product: from a mere declaration of conformity by the manufacturer (with or without the intervention of a notified body), to a full conformity certification of the product by a notified body.

Notified bodies are organisations designated by each Member State and notified to the Commission and the other Member States, that are in charge of assesing manufaturer's conformity to the esssential requirements when a third party is required.

A list of Decisions relating to attestation of compliance can be found at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/construction/internal/cpdcomp/declist.htm.

CE marking

Manufacturers, or their representatives established in the EU, must attest, either on the basis of their own resources or through a notified body, that their products comply with the requirements of the relevant technical specifications in order to convey the CE marking and be placed on the market anywhere within the European Union.

Market surveillance

Products which have been declared to comply with the Directive but which do not satisfy the essential requirements and therefore pose a health and safety threat may be temporarily withdrawn from the market by the Member States. Where non-compliance is attributable to the technical specifications, to their application or to omissions, the Commission decides, after consulting the Standing Committee on Construction, whether the European or national technical specification should or should not continue to enjoy presumption of conformity.

Legislation

Council Directive 89/106/EEC of 21 December 1988 on the approximation of laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to construction products (OJ L-40 11/02/1989)

Other information sources

European Commission - DG Enterprise and Industry:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/construction/index_en.htm



Additional information for Austria

Competent authority / competent bodies

Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Arbeit - BMWA (Federal Ministry of Economy and Employment)
Abteilung I/12 (Department I/12)

Subenring 1

AT-1030 Wien
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Website: http://www.bmwa.gv.at

Standardisation body

Österreichisches Normungsinstitut - ON (Austrian Standards Institute)

Heinestraße 38

AT-1020 Wien
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Website: http://www.on-norm.at

Notified bodies

http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/newapproach/nando/index.cfm?fuseaction=directive.main

Approval body

List of bodies authorised to issue European Technical Approvals.

Legislation

• 
  Bauproduktegesetz - BauPG, BGBl. I Nr. 55/1997 - Construction Products Act
  
• 
  Verordnung betreffend Fundstellen für Leitlinien für die europäische technische Zulassung, BGBl. II Nr. 343/2001 -Order on Directives for the European Technical Licences
  
• 
  Verordnung betreffend Fundstellen für harmonisierte Normen, BGBl. II Nr. 342/2001 Order on Harmonised Norms
  

Additional information for Belgium

Competent authority / competent bodies

Service Public Fédéral Economie, PME, Classes moyennes et Energie (Federal Public Service for Economy, SME, Middle-class and Energy)
Service Sécurité des Produits (Product Safety Service)
Qualité et Sécurité (Quality and Safety)
WTC III Boulevard Simon Bolivar, 30
B-1000 Brussel / Bruxelles
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Website: http://www.mineco.fgov.be

Standardisation body

Institut Belge de Normalisation - IBN (Belgian Institute for Standardisation)

Brabançonnelaan / Avenue de la Brabançonne 29

B-1000 Brussel / Bruxelles
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Website: http://www.ibn.be/

Notified bodies

• 
  Association Nationale pour la Protection contre l'Incendie et l'Intrusion asbl (ANPI)
  Rue Granbonpré, Parc S. Fleming
  B-1348 - Louvain la neuve
  
• 
  Belgian Construction Certification Association asbl
  Rue d'Arlon 53
  B-1040 – Bruxelles
  
• 
  Belgian Organisation for Security Certification asbl / vzw (BOSEC)
  Square de Meeus, 29
  B-1000 – Bruxelles
  
• 
  Bureau de Controle pour la Sécurité de la Construction (SECO)
  Rue d'Arlon, 53
  B-1040 – Bruxelles
  
• 
  Centre National de Recherches Scientifiques et Techniques de l'Industrie Cimentiere (CRIC)
  Rue Volta, 10
  B-1050 – Bruxelles
  
• 
  Centre Scientifique et Technique de la Construction (CSTC)
  Boulevard Poincaré, 79
  B-1060 – Bruxelles
  
• 
  Centre Technique de l'Industrie du Bois (CTIB)
  Allée Hof ter Vleest, 3
  B-1070 – Bruxelles
  
• 
  CERTiPRO, Departmentran Vito N.V.
  Boeretang, 200
  B-2400 – Mol
  
• 
  Direction des Structures en beton du Ministere Wallon de l'Equipement et des Transports (MET - IG 42 - D423)
  Rue Côte d'Or, 253
  B-4000 – Liège
  
• 
  Direction des Structures Métalliques du Ministère Wallon de l'Equipement et des Transports (MET - IG 42 - D422)
  Rue Côte d'Or, 253
  B-4000 – Liège
  
• 
  GEOS NV
  Hertenstraat, 30
  B-3830 - Wellen
  
• 
  Institut Scientifique du Vewe (INV)
  Boulevard Defontaine, 10
  B-6000 – Bruxelles
  
• 
  Organisation pour le Contrôle des Aciers pour Beton A.S.B.L. (OCAB)
  Avenue Arianelaan, 5
  B-1200 – Bruxelles
  
• 
  Organisme de Gestion pour le Control des Produits en Beton ASBL (PROBETON)
  Rue d'Arlon, 53
  B-1040 – Bruxelles
  
• 
  Organisme Impartial de Contrôle de Produits pour la Construction asbl (COPRO)
  Rue de Termonde, 168
  B-1083 – Bruxelles
  
• 
  UBATC - Direction Agrement et Specifications
  Rue de la Loi, 155
  B-1040 – Bruxelles
  
• 
  Universiteit Gent: Laboratorium voor Aanwending der Brandstoffen en Warmteoverdracht - Proefstation der Brandveiligheid
  Ottergemsesteenweg, 711
  B-9000 – Gent
  
• 
  WFRGENT N.V. (Warrington Fire Gent)
  Ottergemsesteenweg, 711
  B-9000 – Gent
  

Approval body

Union belge pour l'agrément technique dans la construction - UBAtc (Belgian Union of Certification and Attestation Bodies for Construction)
Qualité de la construction (Construction quality)

Boulevard Simon Bolivar, 30

B-1000 – Bruxelles
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Website: http://www.ubatc.be/index.cfm

Legislation

Loi of 25/03/1996, implementing Council Directive of 21 December 1988 on the approximation of laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to construction products (MB of 21/05/1996)

Additional information for Cyprus

Competent authority / competent bodies

Ypourgeio Sygkoinonion kai Ergon (Ministry of Communications and Works)

Acheon 28

CY-1421 Nicosia
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Website: http://www.mcw.gov.cy

Standardisation body

Kypriakos Organismos Typopoiisis (Cyprus Organisation for Standardisation)

Corner of Leoforos Lemesou and Kosta Anaxagora 30

CY-2014 Nicosia
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Website: http://www.cys.org.cy

Legislation

Regulation 832/2003, implementing the Construction Products Directive (EE 07/11/2003)

Additional information for the Czech Republic

Competent authority / competent bodies

Úřad pro technickou normalizaci, metrologii a státní zkušebnictví (Czech Office for Standards, Metrology and Testing)
Technická komise pro stavební výrobky (Technical Commission for Construction Products)

Gorazdova 24

CZ-128 01 Praha
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Website: http://www.unmz.cz

Standardisation body

Český normalizační institut - ČNI (Czech Standards Institute)

Biskupský dvůr 5

CZ-110 02 Praha
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Website: http://www.cni.cz

Notified bodies

http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/newapproach/nando/index.cfm?fuseaction=directive.main

Approval bodies

List of bodies authorised to issue European Technical Approvals.

Legislation

• 
  Zákon o technických požadavcích na výrobky (č. 22/1997 Sb.), 24.1.1997 (Law on Technical Requirements for Products)
  
• 
  Nařízení vlády, kterým se stanoví technické požadavky na vybrané stavební výrobky (č. 163/2002 Sb.), 6.3.2002 (Order on Technical Requirements for Selected Construction Products)
  
• 
  Nařízení vlády, kterým se stanoví technické požadavky na stavební výrobky označované CE (č. 190/2002 Sb.) (Order on Technical Requirements for Construction Products withh the Label CE)
  
• 
  Zákon, o obecné bezpečnosti výrobku (č. 102/2001 Sb.), 22.2. 2001 (Law on Products Safety)
  
• 
  Zákon o České obchodní inspekci (č. 64/1986 Sb.), 20. 10. 1986 (Law on Czech Commercial Inspection)
  

Additional information for Denmark

Competent authority / competent bodies

Erhvervs- og Byggestyrelsen (National Agency for Enterprise and Construction)

Dahlerups Pakhus

Langelinie Allé 17
DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Website: http://www.naec.dk

Standardisation body

Dansk Standard (Danish Standards Association)

Kollegievej 6

DK-2920 Charlottenlund
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Website: http://www.ds.dk

Notified bodies

http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/newapproach/nando/index.cfm?fuseaction=directive.main

Approval body

List of bodies authorised to issue European Technical Approvals.

Legislation

• 
  BEK nr 118 af 16/02/1998. Order on the implementation of the EU-Directives concerning construction products and their amendments
  
• 
  BEK nr 118 of 13/03/2002 Order on EC labelling and marketing control of construction products
  

Additional information for Estonia

Competent authority / competent bodies

Eesti Majandus- ja Kommunikatsiooniministeerium (Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications)

Harju tn. 11

EE-15072 Tallinn
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Website: http://www.mkm.ee

Standardisation body

Eesti Standardikeskus MTÜ (Estonian Centre for Standardisation)

Aru 10
EE-10317 Tallinn

Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Website: http://www.evs.ee

Notified bodies

http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/newapproach/nando/index.cfm?fuseaction=directive.main

Approval body

List of bodies authorised to iusse European Technical Approvals.

Legislation

• 
  Toote nõuetele vastavuse tõendamise seadus - Product Conformity Attestation Act of 17/11/1999 (RT I 1999, 92, 825)
  
• 
  Ehitusseadus - Construction Law of 15/05/2002 (RT I 2002, 47, 297)
  
• 
  Ehitusmaterjali ja -toote nõuetele vastavuse tõendamise kord ja eri liiki ehitustoodete nõuetele vastavuse tõendamiseks vajalikud vastavushindamise protseduurid - Regulation on the conformity attestation procedure for building materials and construction products of 4 May 2004 (RTL 2004, 61, 1023)
  

Additional information for Finland

Competent authority / competent bodies

Kauppa- ja Teollisuusministeriö (Ministry of Trade and Industry)

P.O.Box 32

FI-Government 00023
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Website: http://www.ktm.fi

Standardisation body

Suomen Standardisoimisliitto - SFS (Finnish Standards Association)

P.O.Box 116

FI-Helsinki 00241
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Website: http://www.sfs.fi

Notified bodies

http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/newapproach/nando/index.cfm?fuseaction=directive.main

Approval body

List of bodies authorised to iusse European Technical Approvals.

Legislation

Laki rakennustuotteiden hyväksynnästä. Act on Construction Products Approval of 13 March 2003, (Suomen säädöskokoelma 2003/230)

Additional information for France

Competent authority / competent bodies

Ministère de l'Économie, des Finances et de l'Industrie (Ministry of Economy, Finance and Industry)

59 Boulevard Vincent Auriol

F-75703 Paris Cedex 13
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Website: http://www.minefi.gouv.fr

Standardisation body

Association française de normalisation - AFNOR (French Standardisation Association)

11, Rue Francis de Pressensé

F-93571 Saint-Denis la Plaine CEDEX
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Website: http://www.afnor.fr/

Notified bodies

• 
  ACERMI
  4, avenue du Recteur Poincaré
  F-75782 – Paris Cedex 16
  
• 
  AFNOR Certification SA
  11, Rue Francis de Pressensé
  F-93571 – Saint-Denis la Plaine Cedex
  
• 
  Association pour la Promotion de l'Assurance Qualité Dans la Filière du Textile et de l'Habillement (ASQUAL)
  Rue des Reculettes, 14
  F-75013 – Paris
  
• 
  ASQPE
  Boulevard Lefebvre, 58
  F-75732 – Paris
  
• 
  Centre Technique Industriel de la Construction Métallique (CTICM)
  Domaine de l'IRSID
  F-57280 – Maizières-lès-metz
  
• 
  Centre d’Etudes et de Recherche de l'Industrie du Béton (CERIB)
  1, rue des Longs Réages - B.P. 59
  F-28231 – Epernon Cedex
  
• 
  Centre National de Prévention et de Protection (CNPP)
  Vernon BP 2265
  F-27950 – St-Marcel
  
• 
  Centre Technique des Industries Aeroliques et Termiques
  Boulevard du 11 novembre 1918, 27-28
  F-69603 – Villeurbanne
  
• 
  Centre Technique des Industries de la Fonderie (CTIF)
  Avenue de la division Lecler, 44
  F-93318 – Sevres
  
• 
  Centre Technique des Industries Mecaniques (CETIM)
  Felix Louat, 52
  F-60304 – Senlis
  
• 
  Centre Scientifique et Technique du Bâtiment
  Avenue du Recteur Pointcaré, 4
  F-75782 – Paris Cedex 16
  
• 
  Centre Technique du Bois et de l’ameublement (CTBA)
  A venue de Saint-Mandé, 10
  F-75012 – Paris
  
• 
  Laboratoire Central Des Ponts et Chaussées (LCPC)
  Boulevard Lefebvre, 58
  F-75732 – Paris Cedex 15
  
• 
  Laboratoire National d’essais (LNE)
  1, rue Gaston Boissier
  F-75724 – Paris Cedex 15
  
• 
  Service d’Etudes Techniques Des Routes et Autoroutes
  Avenue Aristide Briand 46
  F-92225 – Bagneux
  
• 
  SNPE Matériaux Energétiques (SME)
  BP 2 - Rue Lavoisier
  F-91710 – Vert le petit
  

Approval bodies

• 
  Centre Scientifique et Technique du Batiment
  Avenue du Recteur Poincaré 4
  F-75782 – PARIS CEDEX 16
  Tel: [phone]
  Fax: [phone]
  Website: http://www.cstb.fr
  
• 
  Service d'etudes Techniques des Routes et Autoroutes
  Avenue Aristide Briand 46
  F-92225 – BAGNEUX
  Tel: [phone]
  Fax: [phone]
  Website: http://www.setra.equipement.gouv.fr
  

Legislation

• 
  Décret No. 92-647 of 08/07/1992 on construction products (JO of 14/07/1992, page 9483)
  
• 
  Arrêté ministériel of 31/07/1992 on the EU type-approval and establishing the list of notified bodies (JO of 29/08/1992, page 11801)
  

Additional information for Germany

Competent authority / competent bodies

Bundesministerium für Verkehr, Bau und Stadtentwicklung - BMVBS (Federal Ministry of Transport, Construction and Urban Development)

Invalidenstr. 44

DE-10115 Berlin
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Website: http://www.bmvbs.de

Standardisation body

Deutsches Institut für Normung - DIN (German Standardisation Institute)

Burggrafenstraße 6

DE-10787 Berlin
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Website: http://www.din.de

Notified bodies

http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/newapproach/nando/index.cfm?fuseaction=directive.main

Approval body

List of bodies authorised to issue European Technical Approvals.

Legislation

Bauproduktegesetz – BauPG - BGBl I 1992, 1495, 10.8.1992 (Law on Construction Products)