First joinery CE Marking prosecution – don’t let it be you!

The Construction Products Regulation (CPR) is now in force, and any construction product covered by a Harmonised Standard now needs to be CE Marked.

The rules came in on 1 July 2013, and for joinery manufacturers this applies to windows and external doorsets, wood flooring, garage doors, shutters, gates, cladding and in some instances panelling. CE Marking is not yet required for internal doorsets or staircases.

Any products made before 1st July, 2013 but sold from this date will need the new procedures and markings.

As the derogations or exemptions from the requirements are very limited, we recommend that companies aim to achieve a CE mark, rather than try to avoid it and risk prosecution. As a rule of thumb, if your window or external doorset requires a U-value under the Building Regulations, then you will need to CE mark. This means that even when customers haven't been asking for U-values, you could still be required to provide them when declaring the product's performance.

In order to help BWF members comply with the regulation, we have drawn up 5 crucial steps that joinery manufacturers will need to take:

1) Determine how it affects your business
2) Set up a written factory production control system
3) Get U-values
4) Produce a Declaration of Performance (DoP)
5) Label your product

You can find more detail on our dedicated CE marking page, and we can also offer guidance to members through the BWF member technical helpline (0844 209 2610), as well as providing template documents for members to download such as our CE marking label, Declaration of performance, and written factory production control system. You can also get you U-values calculated through BWF at reduced rates and these can be accredited through a notified body.

BWF Technical Director Kevin Underwood commented:

“CE Marking of windows and external doorsets is now a reality for many joinery manufacturers. Trading standards are enforcing the regulation and failure to comply could result in businesses having to take their products off the market.

“CE Marking is common practice on a range of retail products, and there is a precedent for enforcement with penalties such as those for incorrect use of the CE mark having been imposed on companies in other sectors where CE marking has been mandatory. Prosecution could result in a fine of up to £5000 and even a custodial sentence.

“We are already hearing that local authorities are getting up to speed on the law and beginning to include CE marking as a requirement for companies tendering for work.”