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AENOR N Mark for solar thermal systems and collectors

The AENOR N mark for solar thermal collectors and systems certifies the quality of these products

AENOR product certification is accredited by the ENAC and is recognised in the General Register of quality standards of the Technical Building Code (CTE), by the Directorate-General for Architecture and the Housing Policy of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport

Products covered

The products covered are liquid heating solar collectors, in accordance with the Standard UNE-EN 12975-1, air heating solar collectors and thermal hybrid solar collectors (PVT), which falls under the scope of application of the Standard UNE-EN-ISO 9806, as well as solar thermal systems, in accordance with the Standard UNE-EN 12976-1.

Benefits

As a compliance assessor, AENOR is a leading product certification entity. With over 100,000 certifications, the AENOR N Mark is present in over 40 countries and is in the top five most widely used product quality marks in the world.

The AENOR N Mark is a voluntary mark that allows the company to demonstrate that their product meets certain provisions established in a UNE, EN or ISO standard, or in a technical specification. This demonstration of compliance, based on a rigorous control performed by AENOR of the manufacturing processes and testing of end products will enable holders of the Mark to place high quality products on the market, which will help users to trust certified products.

Royal Decree 314/2006, of 17 March, approving the Technical Building Code (CTE), is the regulatory framework that establishes the requirements that must be met by buildings in terms of basic safety and habitability aspects, established in Act 38/1999 of 5 November, on Building Standards (LOE).

The AENOR N Mark is recognised by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport as a CTE quality symbol. This recognition means that the Administration is sufficiently confident in the products certified under the AENOR N Mark considering that the use of these products in buildings contributes to compliance with the basic requirements set forth in legislation. For this reason, use of AENOR N Mark products benefits all agents involved in constructing a building.

This way, the AENOR N Mark can provide the following advantages:

The manufacturer

Better understanding of a product due to the exhaustive control the AENOR Mark establishes with respect to the same
Products that do not comply with relevant standards or regulations can be detected before they enter the market
Decreases production costs as a result of greater control during the manufacturing process
There are commercial grounds to introduce the product into new markets and facilitate access to works

Business providers and monitoring agents

Fewer or no checks upon delivery are required for goods provided for by the CTE
Ensures that products used in works comply with applicable regulatory requirements
Guarantee that the product has previously been verified in order to determine compliance with the minimum requirements of basic CTE documents

The end user

Properties are built using materials of proven quality
Product certified by a renowned company that is a global leader in construction products certification

Certification process

APPLICATION

The AENOR Mark is voluntary. Companies that want AENOR to certify their product must submit their application in accordance with the formats established by AENOR. This application must include information about the company and the characteristics of the products for which certification is sought.

Once AENOR technical staff have analysed the documents, compliance assessment activities will be performed in order to verify that the products comply with the applicable standards:

AUDIT/INSPECTION

A visit is made to the production centre to carry out the following procedures:

a) the quality management system is audited in accordance with the UNE-EN ISO 9001 requirements that are directly related to the production process.
b) The manufacturer's manufacturing process and production controls are inspected to ensure the product complies with the requirements of the standard.
c) Samples are taken and sent to an accredited laboratory, which performs the tests included in the standards. The manufacturer sends samples identified by the auditor to the laboratory.

TESTING

The laboratory performs the tests established by the standard and sends its report to AENOR.

GRANTING

Using all the information on the activities performed, the Technical Certification Committee (independent body comprising all the interested parties: manufacturers, the Administration, users, monitoring entities and AENOR) will either propose to AENOR that the Mark be granted, or request that one of the activities be repeated due to non-compliance.

Once the Certificate has been granted, the process will continue as the monitoring activities required to keep it must be performed. Samples will be taken, and audits, inspections and tests will be performed on an annual basis. Results are assessed every year by the Technical Certification Committee, which will decide whether or not to maintain the Mark.