CPR (CE) Certification

The Construction Products Regulation (CPR — (EU) 305/2011) ensures that the performance of construction products is declared in a common technical language. It has a fundamental difference from other CE legislation: the CPR does not guarantee the product is safe, but that its PERFORMANCE is correctly declared. The manufacturer draws up a Declaration of Performance (DoP); whether the level of performance is adequate is decided by the national rules of the country where the structure is located.

• Manufacturers of cement, aggregate, concrete and mortar
• Manufacturers of structural steel and aluminium construction (EN 1090)
• Manufacturers of door, window and facade systems
• Manufacturers of insulation materials and coatings
• Manufacturers of fire-safety products and structural fasteners

Drawing up a Declaration of Performance and affixing the CE mark is mandatory for construction products within scope of a harmonised European standard (hEN). The CE mark is not mandatory for products with no harmonised standard; the manufacturer can choose the European Technical Assessment (ETA) route if it wishes. The notified body's role depends on the assessment and verification of constancy of performance (AVCP) system set for the product: most extensive under System 1+ and 1, while the manufacturer acts alone under System 4.

• Scope and basic requirements for construction works (Annex I): mechanical resistance and stability, fire safety, hygiene and health, safety in use, protection against noise, energy economy, sustainable use of natural resources
• Harmonised standards (hEN) and essential characteristics
• The content of the Declaration of Performance (DoP) and the obligation to draw it up
• CE-marking rules and presenting the declared performance alongside the mark
• Assessment and verification of constancy of performance (AVCP) systems: 1+, 1, 2+, 3, 4
• Factory production control (FPC) requirements
• Type testing and continuous surveillance
• The European Technical Assessment (ETA) and European Assessment Document (EAD) route
• Obligations of the manufacturer, importer and distributor

1. 1Determining the LegislationIt is determined which EU legislation applies to the product. A product can fall within scope of more than one piece of legislation at the same time; all of them must be met.
2. 2Selecting the Conformity Assessment ModuleThe legislation determines the module to follow according to the product's risk class. The manufacturer self-declares under some modules, while a notified body is involved under others.
3. 3Testing Against Harmonised StandardsConformity with harmonised standards published in the EU Official Journal is demonstrated through testing; this provides a presumption of conformity with the legislation.
4. 4Risk Analysis and the Technical FileThe risk assessment, design calculations, test reports, instructions for use and sample labels are compiled in the technical file.
5. 5The EU Declaration of ConformityThe manufacturer or its EU-based authorised representative signs the declaration of conformity. Responsibility rests with the signatory of the declaration.
6. 6Affixing the CE MarkThe mark is affixed to the product in the form and size the legislation prescribes; the notified body's identification number is added if one is involved.
7. 7Retaining the Technical FileThe technical file is retained for the period the legislation sets from the product's placing on the market (10 years under most legislation) and presented to the competent authority on request.

The CE mark is not a certificate but the manufacturer's declaration of conformity, and it has no expiry. However, the declaration remains valid as long as the product and the legislation do not change: the technical file must be updated if the legislation or the harmonised standard is updated. Notified-body certificates (e.g. an EU Type-Examination Certificate) are subject to a validity period.

• The product description, model list and technical drawings
• Risk assessment
• The list of harmonised standards applied
• Test reports
• Instructions for use and warning labels (in the target market's language)
• A draft EU Declaration of Conformity
• The product-type description and intended use
• The harmonised standard applied, or the ETA number
• Initial type testing (ITT) reports
• The factory production control manual and records
• The table of declared performance values
• The Declaration of Performance (DoP) and a sample CE label

There is no fixed list price; the cost is calculated based on the following variables and provided in writing in the quote.

• The number of pieces of legislation applicable to the product
• The conformity-assessment module — whether a notified body is involved
• The required test scope and number of samples
• The current state of the technical file
• Translation and documentation needs

A Notified Body under CE is registered in the European Commission's NANDO database for the relevant EU regulation and carries a four-digit identification number. Notified body authority is based on legislation and product scope; The authority granted for one regulation does not extend to another. Testing is within the scope of ISO/IEC 17025, product certification is within the scope of ISO/IEC 17065.

The scope under which this scheme can be offered varies according to your product and activity; it is confirmed in writing at the quote stage.

• CELifts
• CEPPE
• CEMachinery Safety
• CELVD
• CEEMC
• CERED
• CEMDR
• CEIVDR