Commission sets deadlines for EU technical standards

The European Commission has announced deadlines for the introduction of harmonised technical standards for a range of construction materials and equipment covering the whole of the European Union (EU).

Many of these will be introduced from 1 December, with the validity of parallel national standards being abolished on the same day. These include rules for the production of thermal insulation made from extruded and rigid polystyrene foam, cellular glass, wood wool, expanded perlite and wood fibre products.

Most other standards allow for a period of co-existence between the new EU and existing national standards, before the old guidelines are phased out. These include rules for producing structural, spherical and cylindrical bearings, where there is a six-month period of grace following the 1 December deadline.

Other European guidelines coming into force at the end of this month cover: ceramic tiles; road-marking materials; locks and latches; masonry cement; radiators and convectors; toilets; septic tanks; curtain walling; fixed foam fire-fighting systems; and fixed ladders for manholes. National standards for these items will remain in force for a year’s co-existence.

Other EU production standards are earmarked for introduction next year. These cover: suspended ceilings; slate and stone for discontinuous roofing and cladding; lightweight aggregates for bituminous mixtures; metal chimneys (1 January); cement (1 February); masonry units (1 March); and shutters and terrazzo tiles (1 April). Here again, there will be temporary period of co-existence between EU and national standards before the European guidelines take over.