CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS REGULATIONS AND UKCA LOGO

The Construction Product Regulation (CPR certification) requires that relevant Construction Products must legally comply with the Standard. The regulations include Structural Fabrications. As a result of meeting that standard, products should also bear a CE Mark (for EU) or now UKCA Logo (for UK).

The products have been risk-rated for different types of use. With structural fabrications, the lowest risk is for basic farm-type buildings. Unsurprisingly, risk levels grow with the complexity and use of the construction. The Regulations cover all construction in the UK and EU.

WHAT IS CONSTRUCTION PRODUCT REGULATION?

Construction Product Regulation originated as an EU Regulation. It has been adopted into UK law. Depending on the product, and the risk, the requirements your organisation must meet include…

• The Harmonised Standard specifies the technical product requirements. Examples include:

  – BS EN 1090 for Steel Fabrication

  – BS EN 14351 for Windows and external doors

• The Factory Production Control system (FPC) ensures consistent manufacture. The FPC derived from the ISO 9001 Quality Management Standard. As a result, FPC Certification does not require gaining ISO 9001. However, gaining a CE Mark or UKCA Logo includes implementing most of the ISO 9001 requirements. Consequently, most Clients have gained an ISO 9001 certificate at the same time. This integration provides benefits for the management of the whole organisation, not just for production control.
• The Standard requires assessment by independent external Notified Body (EU) or Approved Body (UK). Consequently, the organisation has an external validation as to proper compliance. The certification proves that monitoring, review and continuous improvement is in place.
• Type Testing.
• Declaration of Performance.
• CE Mark or UKCA Logo visible on the Construction product, packaging or accompanying documents.

THE CE MARK AND UKCA LOGO

There are specific assessment requirements for the certification process:

• For EU Market: CE Mark required – assessed by an EU based Notified Body.
• For UK Market: UKCA Logo required – assessed by an UK based Approved Body.

WHAT IS BS EN 1090?

For Steel and Aluminium Structures, the Construction Product Regulations use BS EN 1090 as the Standard for technical product requirements. BS EN 1090 is risk-rated for different types of structures and structural fabrications. Once again, the lowest risk are basic farm-type buildings.

In addition, specification-related Standards apply. Your organisation must comply with these too.  The compliance depends on the risk-rating of the planned Structural Fabrication, called the ‘Execution Class’. Examples of the relevant Standards include:

• ISO 1090 (multi-part).
• ISO 3834 (multi-part).

To achieve CE Marking Certification, organisations must commit to a focused and systematic approach to business. Specifically, this means a fact-based decision-making process. To comply the organisation must demonstrate the following to the internal assessors and to the external Assessor:

• Management commitment to quality.
• Compliance to applicable specifications, customer requirements and regulations.
• Suitable specification, identification and traceability including of materials.
• Processes approach and working systems are effective.
• Involvement of trained, qualified and competent employees.
• Calibrated and relevant equipment for the work being done.
• The necessary facilities in place for all work processes and ensure proper maintenance and resources.
• Management must deploy effective methods to identify, investigate and correct any problems.
• Use monitoring, review and improvement processes in all important aspects of the business.
• External independent Notified Body (for EU) or Approved Body (for UK) Assessment & on-going Surveillance visits.

BENEFITS OF CPR AND CE MARK OR UKCA LOGO

The outcome of your meeting the Standard confers benefits on your organisation. These are…

1. LEGAL

   There is a legal requirement for compliance with harsh penalties for failure. So, once you meet the Standard, and maintain your conformance, you will have evidence of your legal compliance.

2. OPERATIONAL

   The Factory Production Controls you put in place are important. They provide a systematic and integrated approach to your production processes. The Standard provides a clear operating structure and an emphasis on continual improvement of working systems. Furthermore, the system works to reduce errors, duplication, complaints and other problems. The systems you put in place also enable the process of fact-based decision making. As a result, the organisation can effectively monitor costs and waste leading to potential savings and other management efficiencies.

3. CUSTOMER ASSURANCE

   As with any legally enforced Standard, your customers can rest assured you meet industry standards. They can see your compliance with every logo you display on products. Such assurance also tells your customer of your commitment to continuous improvement, quality control and process controlled production. The outcome? Satisfied customers. They can be sure your products meet their needs. Consequently, your business is likely to be more robust and offer potential for sales growth.

WHY YOU NEED CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS CERTIFICATION AND LOGO

It is the Law. That is why. If your business supplies Construction Products, and that includes Structural Fabrications, you must comply with the Construction Products Regulations. Further, you must comply with either the CE Mark (EU) and  UKCA Logo (UK). This does increase the regulatory burden. However, there is good news.

AND NOW THE GOOD NEWS…

The Good News is that there are great opportunities created by these increased controls. Effectively, they are an investment the CE Mark (EU) and UKCA Logo (UK). That investment will pay itself back. You will see business improvement and customer assurance as a result. In addition, you will be able to compete effectively in a difficult market.

When to start? Right now. Be legal and benefit sooner. Simply click one of the buttons below and we will help you gain the certification you need..