Are you breaking the law?
Visqueen warns against widespread non-compliance with new CPR legislation amongst gas barriers, DPMs and DPCs
Visqueen, Europe’s leading manufacturer of high performance, technically advanced building films, is warning that many in the building industry could be falling foul of new CPR legislation. The business is drawing attention to the fact that those involved in reselling, specifying and overseeing the installation of gas barrier systems could be unwittingly breaking the law because of a failure by some manufacturers to correctly CE mark their products.
Cameron Yates, product manager at Visqueen, explains: "The new CPR legislation, which came into effect on the 1st July 2013, clearly states that products should be CE marked where there is a harmonised European Norm (hEN) or European Technical Assessment (ETA). Both DPMs and DPCs are covered by a hEN and as such, should be CE marked.
"In terms of gas barriers no hEN or ETA exists however it's important to remember that these products also act as a DPM. That means they should be CE marked - a view held by many leading building industry organisations, including the BBA."
Despite this, numerous manufacturers are continuing to sell gas barriers without the correct CE marking and documentation - both legal requirements. Some are also using historic BBA certificates which contain no reference to CE marking.
Due to the far reaching nature of the relevant CPR legislation, which covers the entire supply and distribution chain, placing non-compliant products onto the market puts not only the manufacturer but also those involved in selling, specifying or even installing these products at risk of possible prosecution. It’s the legal responsibility for business at all stages to ensure compliance.
To give its customers total peace of mind of full legal compliance, Visqueen went to enormous lengths to ensure all its gas barriers, DPMs and DPCs were CE marked by the given deadline of the 1st July 2013.
The business has also created an Essential Guide to CE Marking for Structural Waterproofing and Gas Protection, which is downloadable free from the manufacturer's website, and more recently developed a simple five point checklist. This can be used to ensure compliance with the new legislation when it comes to gas barriers, DPMs and DPCs and includes checking for:
- A declaration of Performance (DOP), which is declaration from the manufacturer or reseller that the product complies with the appropriate regulation
- Product conformity test results to hEN criteria
- An EC Certificate of Factory Production Control (FPC)
- BBA certificates updated with reference to CE mark accreditation and EN number
- A CE mark including relevant EN number on product packaging.
Concluding, Cameron Yates, adds: “As a leading manufacturer of structural waterproofing and gas protection solutions, Visqueen has a duty of care not just to our customers but to the wider construction industry. We feel it would be remiss of us to stand by and say nothing when many in the sector are at unnecessary risk of breaking the new CPR legislation through their inadvertent use of non-CE marked gas barriers."
- ENDS -
Image & Caption: Visqueen Radon membrane.jpg; Compliance is critical. Visqueen, the leading manufacturer of gas barriers, DPMs and DPCs is warning against widespread non-compliance with CE mark legislation.
For more information on this story, contact Rachael Barton on 01773 530 530 or email: RachaelBarton@bpipoly.com
Notes to Editors:
- Visqueen Building Products is a division of British Polythene Industries, one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of polythene film.
- Through products created specifically for the construction industry, Visqueen Building Products offers a comprehensive array of solutions including damp proof courses, damp proof membranes, flame retardant films, gas protection systems, radon protection systems, storm water protection and vapour control layers.
- Working closely with sister business, bpi.recycled products (the largest recycler of waste polythene in Europe), Visqueen Building Products has become a major force in the supply of sustainable products
- Visqueen Building Products offers a variety of reprocessed plastic products including EcoMembrane®, the first damp proof membrane made from 100% recycled post-use waste, and Plaswood – a versatile range of plastic wood products stretching from street furniture to fencing.
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