Are CE marking roofing underlays worth the effort?

Klober warn that specifiers and users face increased risks of not complying with the latest legislation if they choose products which do not carry the CE mark.

Product quality news item Specifiers and users face increased risks of not complying with the latest legislation if they choose products which do not carry the CE mark.

This is the warning from Klober which, in keeping with the requirements of 24 European Directives will show the CE marking on packaging of all roofing underlays, from January 2007.

CE marking may not yet be mandatory for building products moving within the U.K., but with increasing emphasis on self-certification by building owners, it is more important than ever that specifiers, contractors and buyers avoid non-CE marked materials.

Klober Technical Manager Andy Stewart pointed out "CE marking gives architects, specifiers and end users peace of mind".

"It is the simplest means by which to recognize that products are safe and comply with appropriate regulations".

"It may not yet be mandatory for underlays sold within the U.K., but it should prompt caution where it isn't displayed".

"CE marking is now compulsory in almost all EU countries, the U.K., which is facing a European Court action, being the most notable exception".

As well as the 25 EU Member States, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway are covered by Directive 89/106 for construction products.

So what does the CE mark indicate? Simply that a manufacturer guarantees his product meets designed minimum safety standards.

Before launching, it must be subjected to the Conformity Assessment Procedure in the Directive.

This can be undertaken by the manufacturer or a third party, one of the so-called notified bodies, details of which can be found on the BSI's website www.bsi-global.com/CEMark .

Marking can relate to the design phase of a product, its production phase, or both.

If there are any Harmonised European Standards which also apply to a product, it is presumed that conformity to these standards will also give conformity with the relevant part of the Directive.

It's fair to say so far that moves towards compliance have not yet attracted much publicity in the roofing sector.

But, as Andy Stewart pointed out "Some in the trade say CE marking is unnecessary for products they know and trust, but even for those like Permo Forte, which have been in widespread use for several years, we continually have to consider first time specifiers".

"With the number of underlays now available, CE marking will be a valuable guarantee for consumers that a product is safe".

The most obvious advantage of CE marking is that products immediately gain access to a wider European market.

EU statements have also suggested that a reduction in damage claims and liability premiums may also follow.

Such a comment may be premature, but maintaining and retaining required technical documentation will undoubtedly provide added differentiation for manufacturers subject to continued specification switching purely on grounds of price.

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