CE mark for construction products

You are at: Home>Certification>CE Marking>Construction products

Access to the European Market for construction products

In order to sell in the European Economic Area, the manufacturer or distributor of construction products covered by a harmonised standard, in compliance with Regulation (EU) 305/2011 on construction products, CPR, or their authorised representative, must issue a Declaration of performance and use the logo to the product, packaging or accompanying documentation.

The CE mark ensures the free movement of construction products in the European Market. The CRP indicates how to express the performance of construction products in a standardised manner for the whole of Europe and how to attach the CE mark to these products.

When using the CE mark, the manufacturer, distributor or authorised representative assumes the responsibility of the product's conformity with the provisions declared. Specifically, article 8.2 of the CPR indicates that:

By affixing or having affixed the CE marking, manufacturers indicate that they take responsibility for the conformity of the construction product with the declared performance as well as the compliance with all applicable requirements laid down in this Regulation and in other relevant Union harmonisation legislation providing for its affixing.

Each construction product, based on its characteristics, contributes to the achievement of the basic requirements that construction works must fulfil for an economically reasonable product lifetime. These are as follows:

Mechanical resistance and stability
Safety in case of fire
Hygiene, health and the environment
Safety and accessibility in use
Protection against noise
Energy economy and heat retention
Sustainable use of natural resources

The harmonised provisions of each product, which must appear in the Declaration of Performance (DoP), are established in the harmonised European standards. These standards also establish the assessment and verification system for product performance consistency which may require the intervention of a Notified Body such as AENOR.

AENOR is notified by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism

Products covered

European Regulation 305/2011, which establishes the harmonised conditions for the sale of construction products, defines the products covered as any product or kit which is produced and placed on the market for incorporation in a permanent manner in construction works or parts thereof and the performance of which has an effect on the performance of the construction works with respect to the basic requirements for construction works.

In order to use the CE mark, construction projects must be covered by a harmonised technical specification. Harmonised European standards EN (harmonised standards, hEN) must be cited in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU), which establishes when the CE marking is voluntary and compulsory. The list of harmonised standards cited in the OJEU can be viewed here.

Benefits

For the manufacturer:

The CE mark allows for unrestricted access to the European market, avoiding technical barriers
The CE mark is also recognised by other global markets

For the user of the CE mark:

The CE mark ensures that the provisions are declared in a homogenous way throughout Europe

Certification process

The system for the Assessment and Verification of Constancy of Performance (AVCP), established by Regulation (EU) No 305/2011 so that a manufacturer can include the CE mark on its products, depends on the relevance of such products in meeting the basic requirements of the works.

The intervention of a Notified Body may be required depending on the assessment system chosen by the European Commission for each product. AENOR provides the following services:

Products with system 1+

Assessment of the performance of construction products based on testing, calculations, tabulated values, and descriptive documentation.
Initial inspection of the manufacturing plant and of factory production control
Follow-up inspections of factory product control
Sample taking and follow-up testing of the product.

Products with system 1

Assessment of the performance of construction products based on testing, calculations, tabulated values, or descriptive documentation.
Initial inspection of the manufacturing plant and of factory production control
Follow-up inspections of factory product control

Products with system 2+