Business from technology

Obtain CE marking for your construction product in time

6 June 2012

If you have not started taking measures to qualify for the CE marking, you should do so immediately. It often takes time to upgrade a company's own quality assurance to the level required by the standard. The CE marking will become mandatory for construction products in all EU member states once the Construction Product Directive enters into force in July 2013.

Many construction products will require a CE marking in the future. “In practice, nearly 600 construction products will require the marking, and 400 of these already qualify for it,” says Account Manager Jarmo Leskelä of VTT Expert Services Oy.

Which products will require CE marking?
Manufacturers are, for the most part, responsible for obtaining the CE marking for a construction product. If a product lacks such marking, it can also be obtained by the product's importer or distributor.

If a harmonised product standard or ETA approval exists for a product, a CE marking will also be necessary for the product. This applies even if the product is sold only in Finland. The measures required to obtain the marking are defined in the standard or ETA approval.

CE marking process calls for knowledge of standards
VTT Expert Services Oy functions as a Notified Body as defined in the Construction Products Directive. We provide assistance during all stages of qualifying for the CE marking:

1. We determine whether the construction product falls under the scope of CE marking:
We check if a harmonised standard or a requirements document enabling ETA (a European evaluation document) exists or is under preparation for the product.

2. If a standard is being prepared for the product, we find out when it is likely to enter into force.

3. We determine the measures required by the standard:
If the product falls under the AVCP4 (AoC 4) system, the manufacturer's own measures will be sufficient to obtain a CE marking.
If the product falls under the AVCP1+, AVCP1, AVCP2+ or AVCP3 (AoC 1+, AoC 1, AoC 2+) systems, we will carry out the testing, inspection and certification measures that are required by the standard or ETA and which are defined as the responsibility of a Notified Body.

4. The manufacturer will affix the CE marking to the product, packaging or enclosed documents.

5. The manufacturer will adapt production, quality control and stock numbers to prepare for the adoption of the CE marking.

“We also ensure that the product has been satisfactorily tested and assessed in line with the requirements of the target market,” says Assessment Manager Liisa Rautiainen of VTT Expert Services Oy.

Comprehensive CE marking services
Our CE marking services cover a wide range of construction products. If necessary, we will expand our operations to new product areas to satisfy customer needs.
Read more: CE Marking Services for Building Products