Building materials rule changes

Tougher standards for building materials are promised as a result of changes to the European CE quality mark which have been agreed in Strasbourg this week.

The changes are expected to boost competition in the market for construction products and cut the cost of materials as many more suppliers will be able to sell their products across the European Union.

The regulation will formally enter into force 20 days after its publication in the EU Official Journal. However, many of its provisions will apply only from 1 July, 2013, to allow companies time to adjust.

Under the new rules, building materials containing hazardous substances will have to be clearly labelled to protect the health and safety of building workers and other users.

Following pressure from MEPs, the "declaration of performance" required for every construction product under the new rules will have to include information on hazardous substances, as required by the 2006 REACH Regulation (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation & Restriction of Chemicals), so as to meet health and safety standards, and make the contents clear to all users.

Among the amendments to the legislation accepted by the Council were the recycling of construction products and the need to take account of health and safety throughout the life cycle of the construction product when assessing its performance. The European Commission is being asked to draw up a report on the information needed on these substances, taking account of requirements for recycling or re-use. If appropriate it will follow up the report with new draft legislation.

Micro-companies will be able opt for new, simplified performance assessment procedures for their products, provided these goods still comply with EU harmonised standards.

Member States must also designate Product Contact Points, to provide information on construction products and their uses free of charge. To avoid conflicts of interest, Product Contact Points are to be impartial with regard to the process of obtaining CE-marking.

Construction products manufactured in a traditional manner or in a manner appropriate to heritage conservation and in a non-industrial process may be exempted from the "declaration of performance" rule.

During the debate, the MEP responsible for preparing the report, Catherine Stihler, a UK member from the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists & Democrats in the European Parliament (S&D), said, "With this proposal we have attempted to make the single market work more effectively, we have attempted to have clearer and more transparent systems in place so that products placed on the market are of the highest standards and so that the construction industry has a fairer marketplace to trade within."

Welcoming the new rules, she added, "The new standards mean that people and companies can buy their building materials with confidence. The CE mark is a clear statement that says this product is tested and is up to scratch.

"This is good news for the construction industry and good news for construction workers. Now we have these new EU standards in place it will be easier for companies to shop around across Europe for the best deals. The new rules will also open up foreign markets to British produced goods.

"But most importantly, the strengthened CE mark should be safer for construction workers, who can be confident that the materials they use are of good quality. Materials will also have to be sold with information making it clear exactly how they should be used to avoid accident or injury."