Construction Products Regulation CPR

The Construction Products Regulation 2011 (CPR) is a European Union (EU) regulation harmonising performance information on construction products across the EU. It is made most visible by the mandatory CE marking of regulated products. From July 2013, the Construction Products Regulation (CPR) replaced the Construction Products Directive (CPD) with the most significant implication of which being that CE markings became mandatory in the EU and the UK for those products covered by a harmonised European standard (hEN) or European Technical Assessment (ETA).

The UKCA mark is the United Kingdom’s replacement for the CE Mark. Both the CE and the UKCA marks are valid on Construction Products until 30 June 2025 (link last checked 3 Aug 2023), after which only the UKCA mark will be recognised in the GB market [July 2023 update: UK government policy is evolving on this point. There is talk they might continue to accept the CE mark, at least for some products.]

In the case of construction products, a UKCA CoCoP certificate is issued to the manufacturer by a UKAS-approved Conformity Assessment Body, following the successful completion of the relevant tests.

CE stands for Communauté Européenne or is sometimes taken to stand for Conformité Européenne. CE marking signifies that a product complies with relevant safety, health or environmental regulations across the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the member states of the EU and the European Free Trade Association countries; Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

Some parts of the Construction Products Regulation applied from 24 April 2011, but it came into force in full on 1 July 2013. From this time, construction products placed on the market in the EEA that are covered by a harmonised European product standard or a European Technical Assessment need to be CE marked and accompanied by a Declaration of Performance (DoP).

This is intended to ensure that reliable technical information is provided about the performance of construction products in a common technical language and tested using consistent assessment methods. This consistency should enable designers and specifiers to compare the performance of products more easily.

The CE mark denotes the publication of information on:

• Safety.
• Testing criteria
• Fire resistance.
• Mechanical resistance and stability.
• User instructions, including hygiene and environmental instructions.
• Protection against noise.
• Energy, economy and heat retention.
• Sustainable use of natural resources.
• Handling instructions.
• Storage recommendations.
• Maintenance.
• Warranties.
• Dealerships.

Demonstrating compliance with the regulation requires an 'attestation of conformity' (AoC). There are 5 levels of attestation of conformity depending on the nature of the product. See Attestation of conformity for more information.

The CPR does recommend the suitability of products appropriate for a project, responsibility for which remains with designers and specifiers.

see also National Construction Products Regulator NCPR

[edit] Changes following Brexit

On 18 December 2018, the government laid a statutory instrument to ensure a functioning CPR regime when the UK left the European Union. This statutory instrument delivered the policy approach set out in a technical notice published on 13 September 2018. Ref https://www.gov.uk/government/news/continuity-of-requirements-under-the-construction-products-regulation-when-the-uk-leaves-the-european-union

The government made legislation in March 2019 which came into effect on 1 January 2021 to make arrangements for the regulation of construction products after EU Exit.

The legislation which made amendments to the regime for construction products post the transition period are:

• Construction Products (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019
• Construction Products (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020
• Construction Products (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2022

On 2 September 2024 the Minister for Building Safety and Homelessness issued a written ministerial statement regarding recognition of the CE marking for construction products. The CE mark will continue to be available when placing construction products on the market in Great Britain. The UK mark (also known as the UKCA mark) can also be used.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

• Attestation of conformity.
• BBA becomes an Approved Body for UKCA Marking.
• British Board of Agrément.
• CE marking.
• Construction Products Regulation if there is no Brexit deal.
• Deadline for CE marked products extended to 1 January 2023.
• Energy related products regulations.
• European Technical Approval.
• Kitemark.
• Manufacturer’s certificate.
• The Construction Industry Council summarises what to expect from the Construction Products Regulations.
• Third party accreditation.
• UK Conformity Assessed UKCA.
• United Kingdom Accreditation Service UKAS.