Entering the EU Market: Construction Products (CPR)

The Construction Products Regulation ensures that the performance of construction products is declared in a common technical language. Its difference from the other CE legislation is that it assures not that the product is safe but that its performance is declared correctly.

The obligation lies with the manufacturer: a Declaration of Performance (DoP) is issued and the CE marking rests on it. The notified body's role varies with the AVCP system determined for the product.

• The harmonised standard (hEN) applied or the ETA number
• Initial type testing (ITT) reports
• The factory production control (FPC) manual and records
• The table of declared performance values
• The Declaration of Performance (DoP)
• A sample CE label

1. 01Scope DeterminationIt is determined which legislation and marking scope the product falls under in the target market. This step defines the entire process; getting it wrong wastes all subsequent work.
2. 02Determining Applicable StandardsThe standards accepted by the market and any national deviations are identified. The same IEC standard may apply with different deviations in different markets.
3. 03Establishing the Test PlanIt is assessed which part of existing test reports will be accepted; missing tests are planned. A CB Scheme report, if available, reduces retesting.
4. 04Local Party and RegistrationIf the market requires an established representative, importer or applicant, this party is designated and the necessary registrations are made.
5. 05Tests and Technical FileTests are conducted and the technical file is prepared. Some markets require testing to be performed within their own country.
6. 06Certification or DeclarationDepending on the market's regime, a manufacturer's declaration is drawn up or a certificate is obtained from the authorised body; a factory audit is carried out if required.
7. 07Marking and LabellingThe mark and label are applied according to the market's format and language rules. The language requirement is checked at customs in most markets.
8. 08Shipment and CustomsIf a pre-shipment document is required, it is obtained; the document set to be presented at customs is completed.

• The CE marking cannot be affixed without a DoP
• Whether the performance is sufficient is decided by national building regulations
• The AVCP system (1+, 1, 2+, 3, 4) determines the notified body's role
• CE is not mandatory for a product with no harmonised standard; the ETA route can be chosen

1. 01CPR and the other CE legislationUnder other directives CE declares safety; here it declares performance. The acceptance threshold lies in national construction legislation and the CE marking does not show that the threshold is met.
2. 02CPR and the EN 13501 fire classificationEN 13501 defines with which letters and additional indicators performance is to be expressed; national legislation says which class is required.
3. 03CPR and national approval certificatesFor products with no harmonised specification the European Technical Assessment route is open; this is a voluntary route that can take the place of national approval certificates.
4. 04CPR and structural steel fabricationFor structural steel and aluminium components, the fabricator's own production certification (the EN 1090 arrangement) is a precondition of the declaration of performance; product testing alone is not sufficient.

This page describes entry into the European Union market. The scheme itself — its scope, process, validity period and required documents — is covered in detail on the certification page.

This section's content is being prepared. The roadmap specific to your product and target market at the quote stage in writing.