Conductors should be of an appropriate size for the application, and should pass through openings with no sharp edges with sufficient clearance to prevent fraying or damage. If they are accessible to the user of the product, they must be tested to withstand a certain amount of “strain” (for more on strain relief, see below). Finally you can never cross low voltage and high voltage conductors unless the low voltage wiring is rated for the higher voltage. For example, a wire carrying 12 volts may be in contact with a wire carrying 120 volts so long as it is rated for 120 volts itself.

 

EU Construction Products Regulation

By Dan Arnold, Sales Engineer

Product Safety Consulting Inc.

 

 

 

We hear from numerous manufacturers currently precluded from selling in the EU because their products are not CE marked.   This is especially true of construction products, which are often sold under large contracts that specify CE marking.  Construction products are a good example of a well-established Directive being transitioned to a Regulation, which we covered in a previous article.  Construction Products Directive 89/106/EEC (CPD) was fully replaced by Construction Products Regulation 305/2011/EU (CPR) on 1 July 2013.  The CPR has several interesting differences from the more common Directives and Regulations used for electrical products.

 

Instead of the more familiar Declaration of Conformity (DoC), the CPR requires a Declaration of Performance (DoP).  Although basic information of DoC and DoP is the same, the DoP requires a declared performance level of essential characteristics.  One example characteristic is compressive strength for some structural products.  The essential characteristics are an important CPR concept and are in the harmonized standards for each construction product type or family.  The performance levels of essential characteristics are intuitive for construction products, which must have physical integrity to function as intended over many years.  Performance to at least one essential characteristic must be declared, but to be competitive and comply with the intent of harmonized standards, multiple characteristics are likely.

 

Another important attribute of the CPR are the Assessment and Verification of Constancy of Performance systems (AVCP systems).  The AVCP is a surveillance mechanism to ensure the declared performance of essential characteristics is maintained. Each essential characteristic specified in a harmonized standard will have one of these AVCP system numbers assigned: 1+, 1, 2+, 3 or 4, from most to least comprehensive.  System 1+ requires the manufacturer to maintain Factory Production Control (FPC) and periodically test samples.  It also requires a Notified Body to assess product performance, initially inspect the manufacturing plant and FPC, periodically assess the FPC, and audit test the product.  Conversely, AVCP system 4 only requires the manufacturer to assess performance and maintain FPC.

 

CE marking can be arduous for some construction products, but the legislation and compliance scheme is well established and generally intuitive, given the critical function of these products.  Product Safety Consulting can help manufacturers understand the requirements and achieve CE compliance.

 

 

 

References:

 

https://ec.europa.eu/growth/sectors/construction/product-regulation_en

 

https://ec.europa.eu/growth/content/ce-marking-construction-products-step-step-guide-now-available-all-eu-languages-0_en

 

Having Trouble getting your project across the Finish Line at your  NRTL?

We are here to help you!

Client A had been working with a NRTL for 15 months. Staff from the USA and Europe had also visited them at their facility multiple times only to be sent construction letter after construction letter. Once they heard from the engineer that the project was in for final review but nope, only to be sent another construction review letter outlining brand new items that would not be accepted.

With the frustration mounting, they Google “Help with NRTL” and found Product Safety Consulting Inc.!

We reviewed the latest two construction letters, went online and ordered a Certified Wiring Harness and various components, contacted the NRTL and presented the changes and reached agreement, flew to Europe and updated the construction, help modify the NRTL draft report, submitted the revised report, photos and illustrations to NRTL and 7 days later we were scheduling the IPI inspection for this brand new client for this NRTL. Total work time was 15 business days.

Give us a Jingle and let us see if we can help you start, continue or better yet Finish that NRTL project!