Export Market for Building Materials continues to grow: Applus+ Laboratories explains CE Marking for construction products

In early March, the biennial International Hardware Fair in Cologne, Germany ushered in more than 3,200 exhibitors. More than 90% of the exhibitors came from abroad, and it is clear that the construction products industry in the European market meets opportunities and also challenges.

With the extensive experience and knowledge around CE marking for construction on product, Applus+ Laboratories can help enterprises access the European market faster.

Recognising CE marking for construction products

CE marking is a mandatory safety marking for a range of products under EU law and is the passport for products entering the European market.

On March 9, 2011, the European Union formally announced a new Construction Products Regulation. It provides a unified CE marking performance evaluation method for construction products in EU member states, establishing system 1+, 1, 2+, 3 and 4, which are all in five kinds of conformity assessment system to ensure the safety, health and environmental performance of construction products. Building materials exported to the European Union need to comply with the Regulation (EU) No 305/2011, and then the CE marking for construction products gradually appeared.

The CE marking process for construction products generally includes as listed: 

1. Determine the type of product to be certified, submit an application for certification;
2. Ensure that construction products complies with the EU Construction Products Regulation CPR;
3. Determine that the construction products architectural hardware complies with the relevant harmonised standards, e.g. EN 12209, EN1935...;
4. Determine the system of certification to apply the building product: 1,1+, 2+, 3 or 4;
5. Select EU-announced certification bodies for testing and evaluation;
6. Obtain the test reports and certificates issued by EU notified bodies;
7. Prepare the Declaration of Performance;
8. Affix the CE marking with the code of the notified body (depending on the system of certification that apply it will be necessary or not) on the packaging of the product;
9. Free sale in the European market.

Applus+ Laboratories can provide CE marking services for construction products.

Applus+ Laboratories, as a Notified Body (NB.0370) for the Construction Products Regulation, has been involved in the evaluation and CE marking process of more than 200 different construction products. We have a stable relationship with many manufacturers and importers to help confirm the rating system applied to the products.

Applus+ Laboratories can provide CE marking for construction products under 1+, 1 and 2+ evaluation systems, performing tests involving acoustics, structural mechanics, fire resistance and thermal performance, as well as physical and chemical characterisation of materials, etc. We provide one-stop conformity assessment, testing and certification CE marking services as well as help enterprises to strengthen the control of product quality and production process, reduce the comprehensive cost and market risk, and enter the EU market faster.