German block on CE marking

Germany has refused to accept CE-marked products for thermal insulation, despite the fact CE marking is now mandatory for all EU member states after the transition period ended on 13 May (CJ 12 March).

The Construction Products Association (CPA) told CJ: "At last week's Standing Committee on Construction, the European Commission confirmed that the co-existence period was now over and that CE marking was mandatory.

"Germany then confirmed it would not accept CE-marked products where fire performance is concerned, ie on any products that are flammable such as insulation and wood panels."

However, the Commission has said it will only act on hard evidence.

"Basically, a company will need to put its product on the market, ship it to Germany, and have it refused before the European Commission will do anything," said CPA's external affairs director, Jean Emblin.

The CPA is asking members to tell it if they have any problems with exports to Germany.

"We also understand that Germany is proposing changes to some 120 national standards, most of which will conflict with European harmonised standards," said Emblin. "It seems that Germany is doing all it can to protect its own market and making a nonsense of a so-called European 'open market', which is what harmonised standards are all about."

The CPA said it is in touch with the Department of Trade and Industry's Action Single Market section, and will also be keeping in close contact with Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, which is responsible for the Building Regulations.

"We just have to wait and see what happens now," added Emblin.

"Hopefully, we'll be able to produce some hard evidence from our members to the Commission, and they will then act on this."

n Nearly 60% of construction professionals have not considered what impact CE marking will have on the products they specify and use, according to a survey carried out on behalf of the CPA.

A total of 41% of respondents said they would need further technical information on the differences between British Standards and European Standards.

One-in-ten of the 5,200 construction professionals questioned know when CE marking will be available on the products they use.