Controversial EU proposals on energy labelling, plus PAS 24 out for public comment

This is to alert you to a draft EU Regulation on the energy labelling of windows, proposed to replace National Schemes.  The thinking is that it will remove further barriers to trade.  This is universally unpopular amongst all windows sectors in the UK and BFRC have responded on behalf of the UK and WER licence holders.

The potential cost of UK licencees had to have their products re-simulated could be around £50 million and could see ratings completely categorised.

These proposals do not seem to have much support in the wider European Market and EURWINDOW, a European fenestration association, have also circulated a detailed summary and stressed that they consider a proposal that covers a region of such diverse climatic conditions to be ineffective.

We will keep you posted should these developments gain any traction, but in the meantime, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact kevin.underwood@bwf.org.uk

PAS24 is out for public comment and available here.

This will not impact in the near future on Part Q Compliance (as the existing standard is date referenced), however it will be factored into new tests and as a requirement to any certification scheme.  Two key areas for change are the removal of the key/key  failure option (i.e. using the body block) for all cases other than the cutting test, and a change to the cutting test so that this must take place in two zones. One zone near to the location of the key or thumb turn which uses the thumb turn failure mode (i.e. using the 50mm diameter cylindroid) and the second zone, anywhere on the door, which uses the key/key failure option.

If you have any comments, have experienced any problems with the standard or indeed see opportunities to improve, please let us know by 10th November.