Ceram, the international materials technology company, is enabling manufacturers to CE mark their products by providing comprehensive testing of construction products to the relevant standards.
When affixed to a product, the CE mark indicates compliancy with the relevant EU legislation, therefore enabling unlimited movement within the European Economic Area (EEA).
As of the 01 July 2013, it will become mandatory for manufacturers to apply CE marking to any of their construction products covered by a harmonised European standard (hEN) or European technical assessment (ETA), under the Construction Products Regulation (CPR)*.
The Assessment and Verification of Constancy of Performance (AVoCP)* outlines the tasks for each class of product and who is responsible for completing them - a Notified Body or the manufacturer, in order to affix a CE mark. The AVoCP levels are set by the European Commission and dependent upon the product and its applications, e.g. a safety critical product will require more work than a product for aesthetic purposes.
For AVoCP levels 1+, 1 and 3, the type-testing needs to be conducted by a Notified Body, such as Ceram. Construction products with an AVoCP level of 2+ or 4 do not require testing by a Notified Body or external laboratory. However, external laboratories are employed when a manufacturer is unable to conduct the necessary tests internally. Ceram is able to provide testing for AVoCP levels 1+, 1, 2+, 3 and 4.
Steve Newman, Construction Product Manager, Ceram, commented:
“The 01 July deadline is fast approaching and a lot of confusion still remains around the CE marking of construction products – not all manufacturers fully understand the AVoCP and the level of testing required.
“Manufacturers are only permitted to CE mark their products once the relevant testing is completed. If construction products do not carry the CE mark, manufacturers will not be able to trade within the EEA.”
To find out more about Ceram’s CE marking testing services, visit www.ceram.com/cemark.
*From 01 July 2013, the Construction Products Regulation (CPR) will supercede the Construction Products Directive (CPD), and the Assessment and Verification of Constancy of Performance (AVoCP) will replace the Attestation of Conformity (AoC).
About Ceram
Ceram is an independent, international materials technology company that focuses on innovation, sustainability and quality assurance of materials. Headquartered in Staffordshire, UK, and with approved laboratories around the world, Ceram solves product and process challenges across a range of materials to help clients improve performance, comply with regulations and develop their sustainability performance in order to gain a competitive advantage and increase profitability.
Ceram operates in a wide variety of sectors around the world.