The new European standard EN 1090-1 specifies requirements for the manufacturers of structural construction components made of steel or aluminium.
By July 1, 2012, these manufacturers must possess a valid certificate, if they wish to offer their products in German and EU markets.
The new standard regulates the production of steel and aluminum structures and replaces the previous German norms DIN 18800-7 and DIN V 4113-3.
“During the transitional period there is an interim arrangement,” said Achim Makowka, manager of the certification department at TÜV Rheinland. “But already companies are seeking certification to comply with the new standard.”
Certification compliant with EN 1090-1 gives manufacturers the prerequisite for the CE marking of their building components in accordance with the European construction product directive. “This is important, because without it manufacturers will be unable to sell their construction products in Europe in the future,” Makowka added.
Construction products are building components and assemblies that are subsequently integrated into the physical structures of civil engineering works.
What is new for many companies is that a production control system must be implemented in the factory to ensure that products entering the market fulfill the respective performance characteristics.
By issuing the new standards, legislators are pursuing the goal of harmonising the disparate national technical regulations for construction products and to realize the free movement of goods in the EU.
This has currently prompted changes to the building regulations for steel and aluminum structures. With TÜV Rheinland Industrie Service GmbH and TÜV Rheinland LGA Bautechnik GmbH the TÜV Rheinland Group has two of the most acknowledged bodies for certification according to EN 1090 under one roof.
Manufacturers can obtain further information about it at www.tuv.com/en1090.