White Papers - CE Marking for Joinery Manufacturers | Page 3

Connecting Craftsmanship with Solutions The Manufacturer’s Responsibility It is the manufacturer’s responsibility to: 1. 2. 3. 4. carry out the conformity assessment set up the technical file issue the EC Declaration of Conformity (DoC) or EC Declaration of Performance (DoP) affix CE marking on a product Distributors must verify the presence of both the CE marking and the necessary supporting documentation. If the product is being imported from a third country, the importer has to verify that the manufacturer outside the EU has undertaken the necessary steps and that the documentation is available upon request. The Myth CE Marking will affect all joinery manufacturers. Do not think that because you make a one off window or door that you will not have to CE mark. This is not true. If an item requires a U-value then it also needs a CE mark. Some joinery companies are still not providing U-values or the correct U-value, which relate to building regulations – Part L. This stipulates (since October 2010) that external windows need to have a U-value of 1.6 for a renovation project (or 2 in a new build) and external doors require a uvalue of 1.8. If you are currently just calling the local glazing company for the U-value of the glass this is not the same as the overall U-value. The overall U-value is based on the following; type of timber, centre pane U-value and the Psi value of the spacer bars (see below). It is likely although not confirmed that U-values will be lowered in April 2014. If a U-value is not required due to conservation exclusion then CE marking will not be required either. Most ‘Bespoke’ windows WILL require a U-value as they are not truly bespoke. (Truly bespoke windows will be exempt from requiring U-value and therefore CE marking.) Most joinery companies use standard section sizes. If the manufacturer has used the same section size before then the item is NOT bespoke and if the manufacturer uses the same section size again then subsequent windows of that section size are not bespoke either. See also http://www.bwf.org.uk/assets/ce-mythbusting-factsheet-may-2013v3.pdf for a more comprehensive factsheet. CE Marking 2|Page © Coastal Specialist Ironmongery 2013