Prysmian provides an update on the Construction Products Regulation (CPR)

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The Construction Product Regulation (CPR) for cables is coming. This will be a mandatory requirement for cable placed on the market in the EU where it is to be used in the construction market:

The Construction product regulation (CPR) for cables will introduce a CE mark to allow free movement of goods in the EU, where its scope will be considerably wider than the existing LV Directive.

The CPR for cables will cover two areas:

  1. Reaction to fire1
  2. Resistance to fire.

The standard, EN50575: 2014, covers reaction to fire only and was published at the end of 2014. The standard for resistance to fire is still to be written and it will be some considerable time before it comes into effect. Until it is completed, cables with resistance to fire will be outside of the scope of the CPR. 

The European Commission, via its Standing Committee for construction, must approve the listing of EN50575 in the OJEC (Official Journal of the European Union) and allocate a date of applicability (DoA), which is expected to happen in the next few months. 

There will be a transition period before CE marking becomes mandatory of at least 12 months.

Declaration of Performance (DOP)

Essentially, when this comes into effect, all cable put onto the market in the EU for the construction market, will require the manufacturer to prepare and have available a Declaration of Performance (DOP) to defined euroclass levels of performance. This level of performance will have to be third party approved by an authorised notified body. 

At this time, we are still awaiting Notified Bodies for cable testing to be appointed. 

Once in possession of the DOP the manufacturer will then be able to, and must, add a CE mark to the packaging , which will contain more information that just  the ‘CE’ under the current LV Directive.

A legal requirement

It will become a legal requirement that construction market products put onto the market must have a DOP and appropriate CE mark. This will also apply to products made outside of the EU. However in this case the responsibilities of the manufacturer pass to the importer placing the product on the market.

Prysmian has a compliance team, which will ensure that all the products the company supplies will comply with the CPR.

To learn more about the CPR for cables, please use the two links at the bottom of this web page.

1 This refers to cables of all types used in construction works with requirements for Reaction to Fire - meaning flame/spread/propagation, evolution of smoke and acidic/corrosive gases, and restriction on flaming droplets. 

 

Links

  • Jun 11, 2015

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