Category: Positions

In cooperation with CFE the Association Steel fibre Technology (AST) has published a bulletin on the current state of fixings with anchors in steel fibre concrete.

In the CPR draft the European Commission proposed that a first ETA based on a new or updated EAD should be in future issued only after the formal citation of this EAD in the Official Journal, which could be take up to some years. This will have a dramatic impact for the qualification and the time-to-market for new products and applications.

CFE is deeply concerned that the new concept will basically destroy the innovation momentum in the European construction industry.

From our point of view, the current sequence of the citation and publication of a final EAD after the first ETA based on this EAD is issued, should be maintained.

On 30th March, the European Commission has published a proposal for the revision of the Construction Products Regulation (CPR).

CFE has contributed to the public consultation with the following core positions:

1. CFE appeals to include EADs again in the definition of harmonised technical specifications, which would mean that they become also part of the new introduced Harmonised zone.
2. CFE appeals to maintain the current practice of the publication and citation of EADs after the first ETA was issued, in order to maintain agility and momentum in the ETA process.
3. CFE appeals to maintain the current regulation that a DoP and CE marking is required for products covered by an ETA.
4. CFE appeals to allow the reference to more than one ETAs/EADs in a DoP, as this is the case for references on Harmonised technical specifications (Annex II 8.).
5. CFE appeals to limit the influence of the European Commission on the EAD development process to clearly defined exceptional cases.
6. CFE appeals to modify Annex III 6. in a way that member states are obliged to introduce national requirements in the EAD development process to make sure that EADs and ETAs cover all national requirements on the respective product.
7. CFE appeals, that for cases, where the design methods for products covered by ETAs are not fully covered by Eurocode standards, the EAD format should allow to include information on specific design methods for the products covered by this EAD.
8. CFE appeals to introduce conflict resolution mechanisms on EU level. The EU wide validity of such solutions would provide legal certainty for all stakeholders and a level playing field for all manufacturers.

After Brexit, the UKCA mark will replace the CE marking for construction products sold in England, Wales and Scotland.

What does this mean for construction products which are fully covered by a UK designated standard?

For such products, the UKCA marking is mandatory from 1st January 2022. The UK designated standards are identical to the harmonised European standards. (Note: This situation may change in future).

What does this mean for anchors and other construction products covered by Technical Assessments?

For anchors and other products covered by ETAs (European Technical Assessment), UKCA marking is voluntary (as it is the case with the CE marking). For such products, an UK Technical Assessment (UKTA) can be issued by manufacturers’ request. Such an UKTA is based on an UK Assessment Document (UKAD). Unless no UKTA is issued for a product, which is not covered by a standard, it is legal to sell it without UKCA marking in England, Wales and Scotland after the 31.12.2021. According to our information, the use of a CE marking for such products in the UK will not be prosecuted, because the CE marking has no legal meaning in the UK. Future UK construction laws or codes may require the use of UKCA marked anchors.

Which design method for anchors will apply in UK?

The Eurocode design standard BS EN 1992-4:2018 “Eurocode 2. Design of concrete structures. Design of fastenings for use in concrete”, which refers to ETAs, is still valid in the UK and can be used to design anchor applications, independent if the respective anchor is UKCA marked or not.

Will EADs and ETAs be converted into UKADs and UKTAs?

CFE is in close contact with BBA (British Board of Agrément) to clarify the conversion of EADs European Assessment Documents into UKADs (UK Assessment Documents) and of ETAs into UKTAs (UK Technical Assessments).

Additional information can be found under

• https://www.gov.uk/guidance/construction-products-regulation-in-great-britain
• https://www.bbacerts.co.uk/ukta/
• https://www.bbacerts.co.uk/ukca-mark/
• CFE members area (login required)

Disclaimer: The information above is based on our best knowledge. CFE accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to the information on this site

The Fastener+Fixings Magazine has now published our article on standardization of anchors vs. EADs, see https://issuu.com/fastenerfixingmagazines/docs/ffm_120_november_2019/98