Insulate Magazine Issue 10

The only independent insulation industry trade magazine
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Case Study
CE Marking and BDA Agrément®
CE marking was introduced to the construction industry across Europe as part of the
preparation for the Single European Market in 1992 — set out in the Construction
Products Directive — and was given closer attention here in the Construction Products
Regulation 2011.
Of course, post-Brexit we cannot be sure what will happen to the CPR, but there are CE marked products
on the market here and there is confusion on the relation between national approvals — such as
BDA Agrément® — and CE marking and, more to the point, the differences.
CE Marking
The key difference is that CE marking rarely means
that the products covered is fit for all possible
purposes. The harmonised European Standards,
which underpin most CE marks, are focused on
the performance factors related to the six Essential
Requirements for works, I.e. buildings, originally
set out in the CPD — plus one on sustainability.
These are now called Basic Works Requirements
in the CPR and are:
bit more to it: remember, CE marking does not
mean that the relevant product is fit for all possible
purposes.
Satisfaction
The architect or main contractor has to satisfy
themselves that the product is suitable for the
intended use, normally by reference to a document
or label called a Declaration of Performance, which
will give additional information about the product.
will be acceptable under Building Regulations.
BDA Agrément®
A BDA Agrément® addresses the different
Building Regulations applicable to each part of
the United Kingdom and NHBC criteria are also
considered – in a single document.
Durability is another key factor not addressed by
CE marking but every BDA Agrément® contains
a durability statement — vitally important information
for architects, developers and building owners,
letting them know how long the product is
likely to last. Installation information is also absent
from CE marking but there are installation details
in all BDA Agréments.
initial type testing and a management
systems certification by a body notified for that
purpose to the European Commission. Only
products with key health and safety
considerations need the involvement of a
product certification body before CE marking
can be applied.
Kiwa BDA
With all products approved by Kiwa BDA, testing
is undertaken and the resulting data assessed
by our experts, and if the approval is awarded
the manufacturer is subject to continuing surveillance
by our inspectors throughout the validity of
the approval. This means specifiers, users and
building owners can have total confidence that all
products with a BDA Agrément® will be — and
perform — exactly as set out in the document.
A BDA Agrément® addresses the
different Building Regulations applicable
to each part of the United
Kingdom and NHBC criteria are also
considered – in a single document.
• Mechanical resistance and stability.
• Safety in case of fire.
• Hygiene health and environment.
• Safety and accessibility in use.
• Protection against noise.
• Energy economy including heat retention.
• Sustainable use of natural resources.
The idea is that CE marked products
incorporated in buildings will allow the buildings
to meet the above Requirements. But there is a
CE marking on its own does not necessarily mean
that the product allows Building Regulations to be
met and important statutory or non-statutory national
considerations, such as NHBC acceptance,
are not included.
However, CE marking accompanied by a Declaration
of Performance showing to the satisfaction of
the architect, contractor or building control body
that the product meets the requirements for the
building under consideration,
Surveillance and inspection vary in CE marking
depending on the nature of the product and its
role in the building; the more health and safety
critical, the more onerous the regime. At the
lower end of the scale the manufacturer or importer
can simply declare that the relevant product
complies with the Standard and apply the CE
mark, with no continuing surveillance.
Most products will be CE marked on the basis of
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