Construction Products Regulation (CPR) - 305/2011, places legal obligations on the construction supply chain in terms of ‘manufacturers’, ‘importers’ and ‘distributors’ of construction products used within the EU, to CE Mark their products where they are covered by either a harmonized standard or European Technical Assessment (ETA). This not only applies to constituent products (such as steel beams, bolts etc.) but also to fabricated elements and systems made from both non-CE Marked and CE Marked products.
According to the CPR, all the products used in construction have to have CE Mark to show compliance where either a harmonized standard or ETA. All average construction products fall under the harmonized standards and must therefore bear CE Mark. For fabricated structural steelwork, contractors, engineers and steelwork contractors should have altered their specifications accordingly to make sure that only CE Marked products are used on their projects.
The harmonized standard covering fabricated structural steelwork is BS EN 1090: Execution of steel structures and aluminium structures. The standard is divided into 2 parts.
- Part 1: Requirements for Conformity Assessment of Structural Components: - It explains how manufacturers can display that the components they produce meet the declared performance characteristics (the structural characteristics which make them fit for their specific function and use).
- Part 2: Technical Requirements for Steel Structures: - It explains the requirements for the execution of steel structures to guarantee adequate levels of mechanical stability and resistance, durability and serviceability. It regulates the performance characteristics for components that the manufacturer must declare and achieve through the requirements of Part 1.
Requirements of CE Marking for Steelwork Contractors:
To be able to CE Mark the fabricated structural steelwork that they produce, steelwork contractors are obligated to declare performance to the System 2+ System of Assessment and Verification of Constancy of Performance (as described in Annex V of the Construction Products Regulation).
For this, they are required to undertake:
- Initial type-testing of the product
- Factory Production Control (FPC): It includes:
- Implementing FPC system procedures
- Implementing of Welding Quality Management System (WQMS) procedures
- Appointing a Responsible Welding Coordinator (RWC)
- Further testing of samples taken at the factory in accordance with the prescribed test plan
They also need to be assessed by a notified body that will carry out:
- Initial inspection of the FPC
- Initial inspection of the manufacturing plant
- Continuous assessment, surveillance and approval of the FPC, which usually includes:
- An audit so as to ensure continued competence to the declared Execution Class (Table B.3 of BS EN 1090-1 sets out minimum levels for the routine surveillance intervals)
The notified body will then issue an FPC certificate and Welding Certificate identifying the Execution Class that the steelwork contractor has achieved.
We at Eurotech provide CE Certification Services for fabricated structural steelworks. With the help of our services, enterprises are able to produce more efficient, high performing and quality products in a fast, safe and uninterrupted manner.
CE Certification for fabricated steelworks is one of the many certifications provided by our organization. Many other certification services like CE Certification for medical devices, electrical/electronics, construction, pressure equipment, RoHS etc. are also available.
For more information, contact trg@eurotechworld.net or fill out the form below to get your QUOTE today.
