The Construction Products Regulation (CPR) replaced the Construction Products Directive (CPD) in April 2011, effectively meaning that its provisions are applied identically in all EU member states. The CPR entered into effect in July 2013. The key change introduced by the CPR was that, with effect from July 1st 2013, all construction products covered by a harmonised standard (hEN) or a European Technical Assessment (ETA), placed on the market must:

The intent of the CPR is that all manufacturers in Europe are under the same obligations to provide clear, complete and reliable information on construction products that they place on the market. It is also the intent that the CPR will create a single market for construction products by removing technical barriers to trade and create a “common technical language” for the industry.

Concrete, Aggregates and CE Marking

The ready mixed concrete standard EN 206-1 is not a harmonised standard (hEN). Therefore ready-mixed concrete does not carry a CE mark.

Aggregates and precast concrete products are normally covered by harmonised standards and therefore are covered by the Construction Products Regulation (CPR). Therefore producers of aggregates and precast concrete products must draw up a Declaration of Performance for their product and affix the CE mark. In order to carry the CE Mark, an ever increasing number of aggregate and concrete products require an annual audit of the factory production control system by an independent notified body. This body will then produce a Certificate of Conformity of the manufacturer’s factory production control system.

Declaration of Performance

The Declaration of Performance (DoP) provides information about the essential characteristics of the product. The manufacturer, by drawing up their DoP, assumes responsibility for the conformity of the construction product with the declared performance. The application of the CE mark follows the DoP and effectively certifies that the manufacturer has strictly followed all the applicable procedures in drawing up the DoP and that, consequently, the DoP is accurate and reliable.