CFE meets FIEC

Today, a CFE delegation met Sue Arundale, Director of Technical and Environmental Affairs at the European Construction Industry Federation FIEC.

In view of the upcoming CPR revision, both associations support to keep the ETA route to CE marking for innovative products, but wish improvements of the processes for EAD development.

CFE meets CISMA

Today, Thomas Holland-Letz as CFE representative joined the meeting of the anchor group of CISMA, the French association of construction products and equipment, for a friutful exchange of views on the upcoming CPR revision, on European Assessment Documents (EADs) for anchors and on design methodes for anchor fixings.

CFE Meeting at the CEO Congress in Cannes

As part of the European Tool Commitee CEO, CFE has met on 23rd September during the CEO congress in Cannes. Main Topic was the review of the current state of the transition of ETAG 001, ETAG 014, ETAG 020 and ETAG 029 into EADs.

CFE supports that tolerances for the drill bits used for the assessment tests of anchors, shall be given also in the EADs, like this is the case in the current ETAGs. It has to be ensured, that drills bits according to the market Standard are used for the assessment tests as well as for the installation of anchors on construction site.

pgm-logo_hks41_rSuch drill bits can be easily identified by the PGM certification mark (see Prüfgemeinschaft Mauerbohrer e. V.).

CFE supports separation of EADs for different intended uses

At the CFE Meeting today (12th July 2016), the  structure of the future EADs for anchors was discussed.

CFE is in favour to treat certain aspects and intended uses in separate EADs in order to keep other EADs stable in case of amendments, which concern only a special application.

Therefore, CFE proposes the following structure of the documents:

  • EAD 330232-00-0601 “MECHANICAL FASTENERS FOR USE IN CONCRETE” (use under static loads in cracked and uncracked concrete)
    EAD “Anchors for multiple use for non-structural applications” (use under static loads as redundant multiple fastening in cracked and uncracked concrete – former ETAG 001 part 6)
  • EAD “Post-installed fasteners in concrete under seismic action” (use under seismic loads in cracked concrete – draft EOTA TR 049)
  • EAD “Post-installed fasteners in concrete with fire resistance” (use under special load case fire exposure in cracked concrete)

Parliamentary Breakfast “Potential for improvement of the Construction Product Regulation ( CPR)” on 19th April 2016 in Brussels

On 19 April 2016, MEP Dr. Andreas Schwab hosted a Parliamentary Breakfast on the state of implementation and possible improvements of the CPR. The breakfast was organised in cooperation with Construction Fixings Europe (CFE), the new designation for the CEO Section Anchor Fixings.

MEP Dr. Schwab and  CFE Chairman Dr. Bourgund welcomed MEP Catherine Stihler, EP rapporteur for the CPR, Fulvia Raffaelli, Head of the Unit C1 at the DG GROW of the European Commission, representatives of seven CFE members and representatives of relevant European associations and institutions like EOTA.

img_2253In his welcome statement, Dr. Schwab gave a short introduction on the legal framework of the CPR.

During his presentation of the point of view of the industry, Dr. Bourgund pointed out that the ETA route to CE marking, already established under the previous CPD, is considered by the manufacturers as success story.

More than 800 European Technical Approvals (ETAs) have been granted already for fasteners. The assessment methods laid down in ETAGs, which have been developed based on scientific studies, are world-leading and have been taken over also outside Europe, e. g. by the USA, Japan and Australia. The current challenge is the transfer of those proofed methods and of the respective high safety level into the new legal framework of the CPR.

img_2242In this context, Dr. Bourgund appealed to improve the communication between EOTA and European Commission in order to speed up the transition process of ETAGs into European Assessment Documents (EADs).

As a result of the breakfast, all participants welcomed the opportunity to exchange information and views and to achieve a common understanding on the next steps and on possible improvements of the legal framework. In his conclusion, MEP Dr. Schwab offered to organise another breakfast to continue the fruitful discussions.

img_2237For CFE, this breakfast was an excellent way to built up and to improve its relationships with decisions makers in Brussels which will not only help to solve the current problems but also to contribute to an improvement of the legal framework of CPR.

CFE will continue its contacts to MEP Dr. Schwab, to the Commission Services and other stakeholders.

Foundation of Construction Fixings Europe (CFE)

Today, on 17th December 2015, CFE was found by the members of the former professional section “Anchors Fixings” of the European Tool Committee CEO. With the new name, the member compnies want to raise more awareness at the European institutions in Brussels and at other relevant associations and CPR stakeholders.

Also under the new Name CFE will remain an integral part of the European Tools Committee CEO.