The Construction Products Regulation
The Construction Products Regulation (CPR) replaces the Construction Products Directive (CPD). The aim of the CPR is to ensure the greatest possible level of safety in the event of fire, creating a common, legally recognised cable safety standard across the EU.
The CPR allows industry professionals, public authorities and consumers to compare the performance of products from manufacturers in different countries, providing consistent fire safety levels through the display of the CE mark on each product, and to make better informed choices.
CPR for Cables:
CPR is applicable for all building products including cables made for permanent installation in industrial, commercial and domestic premises, installation in walls, on boards, in conduit, trunking or embedded in plaster.
After 10th June 2016, the Declaration of Performance (DoP) and CE marking became optional.
After 1st July 2017, only products which have a CE mark and a classification stamp to EN 50575+A1will be acceptable for manufacture in the EU.
ALL PITACS/TIME Cable manufactured after 1st July 2017 will be CE marked and will show a classification stamp in accordance with EN 50575+A1, consistent with the DoP.
Are you CPR ready?
Existing stock in the possession of a wholesaler or distributor purchased prior to 1st July 2017 is still legally saleable. The stock holder must be able to present DoP paperwork regarding the stock purchase, which must have taken place before the compliance deadline.
CE Marking
To obtain a CE Mark, cables will be fully tested and certified, to quantify their performance to fire characteristics: heat release, flame spread, and smoke and acid gas emission.
Summary
Cable that has been manufactured after 1st July 2017 must be CE Marked and be stamped with a Classification (to EN 50575+A1), showing consistency with the DoP (Declaration of Performance).
Cable that was manufactured prior to the 1st July 2017 was made to the same specification and therefore the DoP covers all existing stock held.
PITACS/TIME has been preparing for these changes since 10th June 2016, when the Declaration of Performance and CE Marking became optional.