BRE IP13/12 PDF

INTRODUCTION

The Construction Products Directive (CPD) of 1989[1] was introduced to create a common framework for regulations on buildings and construction works and to ensure free movement of safe construction products within the European Union. It sets requirements for construction works, known as the ‘essential requirements', and provides for CE marking of construction products. The CE Mark is a self-certification mark (based on supporting evidence from ‘notified bodies' where required) that can be affixed to construction products in order to demonstrate compliance with the essential requirements. Products with the CE marking may be sold legally within the European Economic Area (EEA). Under the CPD, CE marking is compulsory in all EEA member states, except for the UK, Ireland, Finland, Norway and Sweden, where it is voluntary. The CPD was implemented in the UK in 1991*.

The EU Construction Products Regulation[2] was published in April 2011. It will replace the CPD and will simplify and clarify the existing framework in order to improve the transparency and effectiveness of the existing measures. The CPR will harmonise methods of test, declarations of product performance and the assessment and verification of performance, but it will not harmonise national building regulations. Each member state will still be free to set the required performance characteristics of construction products within the guidelines of the CPR. One of the main impacts of the CPR for the UK construction industry is that it will become a legal requirement for manufacturers, importers and distributors of construction products covered by the CPR to declare their performance and to affix the CE marking before they can be sold in the UK or the rest of the EEA.

* The CPD was implemented by the UK Construction Products Regulations 1991, which should not be confused with the new European Construction Products Regulation 2011.