GUIDE TO CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS REGULATION (CPR)

The Construction Products Regulation

The Construction Products Regulation (CPR) replaced 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.

  • CPR allows end-users to make better informed cable choices.
  • In the UK the CPR affects only the selling of cables and not the use.
  • CPR can be enforced by the HSE and trading standards.
  • Publication of the DoP must be available for 10 years.

After 10 June 2016, the Declaration of Performance (DoP) and CE marking became optional.

After 1 July 2017, only products which have a CE mark and a classification stamp to EN 50575+A1 are acceptable for manufacture in the EU.

ALL PITACS/TIME Cable manufactured after 1 July 2017 is CE marked and shows a classification stamp in accordance with EN 50575+A1, consistent with the DoP.

We are CPR Compliant

Existing stock in the possession of a wholesaler or distributor purchased prior to 1 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 are 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 1 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 1 July 2017 was made to the same specification and therefore the DoP covers all existing stock held.

PITACS/TIME had been preparing for these changes since 10 June 2016, when the Declaration of Performance and CE Marking became optional.