The Construction Products Directive or “CPD” as it is generally known, is a New Approach Directive but it differs from other New Approach Directives because of the fact that in the case of the CPD, European harmonised standards, or alternatively, the European Technical Approvals (ETA) are the only way of providing proof of conformity with the essential requirements. In other words, whereas for New Approach Directives standards are voluntary, this is not the case.

The reason for this is that the essential requirements defined in the CPD do not refer to the construction products but to the construction works in which products will be incorporated. Therefore, direct compliance with the essential requirements is not possible in the case of the CPD and the compliance with the harmonised standards or ETAs is the only way to obtain the CE marking.

The CPD is currently being revised by the European Commission. The current Directive will become a Regulation once the ordinary legislative process will be finished.

Orgalime CPD task force is meeting on regular basis to actively participate in the ordinary legislative process. After more than two years of discussion (January 2011) the European Parliament adopted a compromise text that will lead to a new Regulation for Construction Products.

Orgalime is generally satisfied with the political agreement, especially regarding article 4, 6 and 7 (conditions for drawing up a declaration of performance and its contents. There are still issues to be clarified that relate to article 50 and to delegated acts introduced as a consequence of article 290 of the Lisbon Treaty.

Orgalime had issued two position papers (one on technical issues and one on delegated acts and its consequences on the Construction Product Directive) on the common position of the Council.

Orgalime is also providing its members with a CPD package which gives information relating to the current Directive.

 

 

 

 

Picture Courtesy of Bosch