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Reg. (UE) 305/2011

Construction Products Regulation (CPR) — CE marking

In forceProdotti & Marcatura CERegolamento UECogente● In review

Summary

TAV. 00

The European regulation laying down harmonised conditions for placing construction products on the market. Its key instrument is the Declaration of Performance (DoP): the manufacturer declares the product's performance against its essential characteristics, based on a harmonised technical specification, and on that basis affixes the CE marking. For the designer it is the key to reading the declared performance of materials.

Scope of application

TAV. 01

It applies to construction products placed on the EU market intended to be incorporated permanently in construction works. It concerns manufacturers, importers and distributors, and indirectly designers and works directors who read and specify the declared performance. It replaces the Construction Products Directive 89/106/EEC.

In depth

TAV. A

What CE marking really declares

The CPR overturns a common misconception: CE marking does not certify that a product is "good", but that the manufacturer has declared, in a verifiable way, its performance against the relevant essential characteristics, according to a harmonised technical specification. It is up to the designer to read the Declaration of Performance and check that the declared values are adequate for the intended use. The marking is a measurable promise, not a judgement.

DoP and marking: the path

From the technical specification to CE marking
  1. 01
    Harmonised technical specificationThe product falls under a harmonised standard (hEN) or obtains a European Technical Assessment (ETA) based on an EAD.
  2. 02
    Assessment of performancePerformance is determined against the relevant essential characteristics, under the applicable AVCP system (possible involvement of a notified body).
  3. 03
    Declaration of Performance (DoP)The manufacturer draws up the DoP, taking responsibility for the product's conformity with the declared performance.
  4. 04
    CE markingOnce CE marking is affixed, the product can circulate in the single market: the marking refers back to the DoP.

AVCP systems and notified bodies

The regulation grades control according to risk: from the strictest systems (1+ and 1, with third-party testing and certification) to those where the manufacturer has the prevailing role (2+, 3, 4). The applicable system is set by the product's technical specification and determines how much a notified body is involved.

The full, up-to-date text of the regulation can be consulted free of charge on EUR-Lex, at the official source indicated on this sheet.

Key points

TAV. K
  • The Declaration of Performance (DoP) is mandatory for products covered by a harmonised standard (hEN): it is the basis of the CE marking.
  • The CE marking expresses the product's conformity with the performance declared by the manufacturer, not a generic "quality mark".
  • Performance refers to seven basic requirements for works (mechanical resistance, fire safety, hygiene/health/environment, safety in use, noise protection, energy economy, sustainable use of resources).
  • The level of involvement of a third party depends on the AVCP system (1+, 1, 2+, 3, 4) applicable to the product.
  • For products not covered by a harmonised standard, the manufacturer can obtain a European Technical Assessment (ETA) based on an EAD and still CE-mark.
  • CE marking under the CPR is the "product" qualification; fitness for structural use remains subject to on-site acceptance (NTC chapter 11).

Frequently asked questions

TAV. Q
Does CE marking guarantee product quality?

No. It certifies that the manufacturer has declared the product's performance against the essential characteristics in a verifiable way. It is up to the designer to check that the values declared in the DoP are adequate for the intended use.

What is the Declaration of Performance (DoP)?

It is the document by which the manufacturer declares the product's performance against the relevant essential characteristics, based on a harmonised technical specification. It is the precondition for CE marking of products covered by a harmonised standard.

What if a product is not covered by a harmonised standard?

The manufacturer can request a European Technical Assessment (ETA), drawn up on a European Assessment Document (EAD), and on that basis draft the DoP and affix CE marking.

What are the AVCP systems?

They are the systems for assessment and verification of constancy of performance (1+, 1, 2+, 3, 4): they set who does what between manufacturer and notified body, with decreasing strictness. The applicable system depends on the product.

Is a CE-marked product automatically usable structurally?

No: CE marking is the product qualification for placing on the market. Structural use still requires the on-site acceptance set out in chapter 11 of NTC 2018.

Glossary

TAV. G
Dichiarazione di Prestazione (DoP)
Document by which the manufacturer declares the product's performance against the relevant essential characteristics.
Marcatura CE
Marking indicating the product's conformity with the performance declared in the DoP; a condition for placing it on the EU market.
Norma armonizzata (hEN)
European technical specification defining essential characteristics and assessment methods for a product family.
Caratteristiche essenziali
Product properties affecting the basic requirements for works (e.g. reaction to fire, thermal conductivity, strength).
ETA / EAD
European Technical Assessment issued on a European Assessment Document, for products not covered by a harmonised standard.
Sistema AVCP
System for assessment and verification of constancy of performance (1+, 1, 2+, 3, 4) allocating tasks between manufacturer and notified body.