BM TRADA is warning companies to take urgent action regarding compliance with CE marking of structural steel following reports of investigations being carried out by Trading Standards.
New requirements were placed on structural steel manufacturers and fabricators six months ago that make it a criminal offence in the UK to supply a steel frame or structural steel components without a CE mark. BM TRADA says contractors across the UK and Ireland are now reporting that Trading Standards departments are looking for evidence of Construction Products Regulation (CPR) compliance, and that companies must act to ensure they are in line with the new regulations.
Steve Russell, senior client advisor for building and product services at BM TRADA, said:
“We are aware that Trading Standards departments are now looking for companies to demonstrate their compliance with the CPR, those who do not yet meet these requirements must take immediate action or they may find themselves barred from trading.
“Contractors who fail to CE mark may not only face prosecution, but may also find themselves barred from operating in the UK, or elsewhere in Europe.”
Since July 1 2014, it has been mandatory for all suppliers to place a CE mark on structural steel frames or structural steel components, requiring formal processes to be put in place for both the production and design of structural steel elements and frames. Compliance with BS EN 1090, Part 1 Execution of steel structures and aluminium structures and Part 2 Technical requirements for steel structures is needed to do this, meaning that every structural component must meet stringent requirements.
Fabricators and contractors must produce a Declaration of Performance (DoP) for the steel frame or structural component/s as well as be in possession of a Factory Production Control (FPC) Certificate issued by a Notified Body.
Furthermore, if the manufacturer/distributor takes any responsibility for design, it must have a design protocol in place as part of its documented procedures. This must take into account the product’s end-use as well as its performance.
Notified firms such as BM TRADA, which offers certification, testing, inspection and compliance services, can conduct UKAS accredited FPC certification to assist steel frame manufacturers and fabricators in achieving compliance with the CPR.
