New CE Marking regulations for external fire rated doorsets
From 1st November 2019, new regulations came into force regarding CE marking fire rated external doorsets. In this blog we’ll discuss the new regulations and what they mean for door manufacturers and suppliers.
What is CE Marking?
The CE mark is a certification mark widely used throughout the EU. It is a declaration from the manufacturer that a product meets the minimum health, safety and environmental requirements that allow it to be sold in any European member state.
Why CE Mark?
It has been compulsory to CE mark an external doorset to BS EN 14351-1 since 1st July 2013. This is the responsibility of the person placing the complete doorset on the market. In the GAI (Guild of Architectural Ironmongery) ‘CE marking of doorsets‘ paper, a doorset is defined as “a doorset is supplied by one legal entity, or company. They are responsible for the complete doorset which is supplied as a warranted tested whole unit.”
In order to attain a CE mark, our doorsets must be 3rd party tested and their continued manufacture must be audited to ensure they comply with external door regulations in BS EN 1435-1. This assures customers that we have evidence to prove our door conforms with EU regulations.
The testing measures the doorset for air leakage, water tightness, resistance to wind load, thermal transmittance, acoustic performance, impact resistance for doorsets with glazing, ability for exit devices on emergency escape doors to release and declarations on radiation properties and any dangerous substances. In addition, BS EN 1435-1 allows tests for voluntary door characteristics that may demonstrate extra performance features. These include features such as strength and durability tests.
What are the new regulations?
From 1st November 2019 ALL external fire rated doorsets MUST be CE marked to EN 16034 and BS EN 14351-1.
This is compulsory for all external fire rated doorsets. EN 16034 involves tests for external doorsets with fire resistance and/or smoke control characteristics and cannot be used on its own for CE marking purposes. It must be used in conjunction with BS EN 14351-1, and its performance declared on the DoP (Declaration of Performance) and CE Label we attach to the doorset. As a result of the new regulations, BS 476: Parts 20 & 22 can no longer be used as fire test evidence to CE mark an external fire rated doorset.
EN 16034 was first published in October 2014. However, it didn’t become a harmonised standard available for use as CE mark evidence until 1st November 2016. As with all new standards, there is a co-existence period where a member states current standards run alongside the new standard. This lasted for 3 years – ending on 1st November 2019.
We appreciate that this is going to be a confusing period for the industry as we adjust to the changes. However, at Robust UK, we are doing everything we can to comply with the new regulations. It is vital that you check your door supplier is complying with the new regulations. If a company claims CE compliance but can’t show adequate evidence, customers can be held personally liable. Ask to see every bit of test evidence and get confirmation the manufacturer/supplier has complete ownership of the CE mark.
