19 Jun 2013
Fire chiefs have issued a guidance document designed to provide clarity on the new construction products rules set to come into play.
UK Construction Products Regulations 2013 is introduced on July 1, bringing with it compulsory CE marking as the EU’s Construction Products Regulations become UK law.
The guidance document from the Fire Industry Association (FIA) points out that the new rules will replace the Construction Products Directive (CPD) that previously applied to fire detection and alarm systems (FDAS).
Products that were given CE Certificates of Conformity under the CPD before the new rules came into effect will not be required to re-apply for accreditation, but any new products launched from July onwards will have to earn the new Declarations of Performance (DoP) certification.
A product will need to DoP in order to obtain CE marking, with the CE symbol showing that the manufacturer takes responsibility for the performance of its products based on the information contained in the DoP.
The FIA does not believe the new simplified procedures will apply to FDAS and in any case the extent to which it can benefit from streamlining is limited given that a notified body may have to review technical documentation and if necessary carry out tests on such products.
Copyright Press Association 2013