CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS DIRECTIVE (CPD)

For manufacturers' products to be compatible and uniformly acceptable in the European market, there exists a process for harmonising technical specifications. These specifications are known as harmonised European product standards (hENs), produced and administered by the Comite ' Europe ' en de Normalisation (CEN). European Technical Approvals (ETAs) are also acceptable where issued by the European Organisation for Technical Approvals (EOTA). These standards are not a harmonisation of regulations.

Whether or not the technical specification satisfies regional and national regulations is for local determination. However, for commercial purposes a technical specification should cover the performance characteristics required by regulations established by any member state in the European Economic Area (EEA). CPD harmonises:

* methods and criteria for testing
* methods for declaring product performance
* methods and measures of conformity assessment

UK attestation accredited bodies include: BBA, BRE and BSI.

CE mark - a marking or labelling for conforming products. A `passport' permitting a product to be legally marketed in any EEA.

It is not a quality mark, e.g. BS Kitemark, but where appropriate this may appear with the CE marking.

CE marking † reproduced with kind permission of Rockwool Ltd.