Construction Products Act

The principle „no data, no market" from chemicals policy can also be applied to construction products. Knowledge on the release behaviour of the own product gained through in-house research helps to reduce future costs of testing. With the release data it becomes possible to optimize the environmental characteristics of construction products already during their development.

The European Union combines free trade with safe products. Producers have to test their products only once per characteristic. The EU member states may keep their variably strict levels of protection and limit values. European harmonisation of test methods disburdens manufacturers and allows for a competition with the product performance.

The EU Construction Products Regulation requires from 1st July 2013 new complementary data to accompany construction products with CE marking. If the construction product contains substances of very high concern, these must be declared. Alternatively - if available - a safety data sheet must be enclosed. The Federal Environment Agency hands out advice for the format of the mandatory data.