As of the 1st July 2014, structural steel and aluminium components are required to be CE marked under the Construction Products Regulation (CPR).
The CPR came into force back in 2013, however the requirement to affix the CE mark is dependent upon whether a harmonised technical specification is available and also whether it has passed its date of applicability and that the transitional period has come to end.
For structural steel and aluminium components, these are covered by a European Harmonised Standard, EN 1090-1, which was entered onto the Official Journal in 2012. The standard could have been applied since 1st September 2012, however the transitional period extended up until the 1st July 2014. Due this transitional period, it was a voluntary decision to declare against the new standard, however after this date, it would be a mandatory requirement for all structural components being placed on the European market to be affixed with the CE mark.
However the standard for structural components, EN 1090-1, has been causing some headaches, as the scope of the standard has left many manufacturers throughout Europe struggling to identify if EN 1090-1 applied to them or not.
Summary of the scope of EN 1090-1:
This standard applies to series and non-series structural steel and aluminium components, as well as kits placed on the market. Structural components are defined as components to be used as load bearing parts of works designed to provide mechanical resistance and stability to the works and/or fire resistance. The standard also covers steel components used in composite steel and concrete structures, as well as structural cold formed members and sheet.
(For the comprehensive text of the scope and definitions, please refer to EN 1090-1:2009+A1:2011)
To help manufacturer’s understand if they are in scope or not, the European Commission have been working on some guidance and it has just recently been published. Whilst they didn’t manage to get the guidance released prior to the start of July, it is better late than never.
The guidance is a non-exhaustive list of items that are not covered by EN 1090-1 and is purely limited to the items where there is CEN consensus (although it does not that an appropriate consultation is still on-going). The full list can be access via the European Commission’s website, but a preview of some of the items are listed below.
The following are just a small selection of items that are not covered by EN 1090-1:
– Castings
– Fastening plates and other cast into concrete fasteners not covered by design codes
– Gates
– Structural components for the moving parts of cranes
– Steel and aluminium stairs, walkways and fences forming integral parts of a machine
– Steel and aluminium components and elements produced on work site
– Roof safety products, including roof ladders and walkways
– Flagpoles
For the full list and to see if your product is covered, then please visit the European Commission’s website.
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