In July 2013, the Construction Products Directive was replaced by the Construction Products Regulation, which made it mandatory within the UK for all construction products that are covered by a harmonised European standard to be CE Marked.
As of the 1st July 2014, the CE marking of structural steelwork to BS EN 1090 is mandatory in the UK and all European Union member states under the Construction Products Regulation (CPR). This marks a significant change faced by the construction industry as it is now a criminal offence to supply a steel frame or structural steel component without a CE mark to the UK and EU. It is essential that manufacturers, distributors and importers of steel construction products are made aware of provisions that may govern the use of steel products in the UK.
What is a CE Mark?
A CE Mark demonstrates compliance with the appropriate manufacturing standard for a product. To apply a CE Mark, manufacturers, contractors and fabricators are required to demonstrate compliance with the standard BS EN 1090 – part 1: Execution of steel structures and aluminium structures. A CE mark, therefore, is not a quality mark; it is proof of conformity to this regulatory requirement. It is a manufacturer’s declaration that the product complies with the essential requirements of the relevant European health, safety and environmental protection legislation.
Compliance with BS EN 1090
The testing process of steel products for CE marking depends on the applicable European standard. It can involve an external assessment in an accredited test laboratory or, if it is a bespoke steel product, additional safeguards such as external qualification of personnel and/or in-process checks.
Additionally, these new CE Marking regulations means that we are subject to regular surveillance audits of Factory Production Control Systems to ensure the production process is under due control and the performance characteristics for which we declare against our products continue to apply. Factory Production Control is the coordination of all production activities to ensure that all products are fabricated in a controlled environment with clearly defined processes, procedures and checks in place.
Keystone Lintels is covered by the following standards: BS EN 845-2 for standard lintels and BS EN 1090-1 for bespoke lintels. All fabricated steelwork, engineers, contractors and steelwork contractors should have amended their specifications accordingly to ensure only CE marked products are used on their projects.
View our CE marking certificates here.
