On July 8, 2017, two Delegated Regulations were published in the Official Journal of the European Union-OJEU, in force after 20 days of their publication:

• The Commission’s Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/1227, related to the conditions for classification, without testing, of glued laminated timber products covered by the harmonised standard EN 14080 and structural finger jointed solid timber products covered by the harmonised standard EN 15497 with regard to their reaction to fire and amending Decision 2005/610/EC.

  Tests have shown that these products have a stable and predictable reaction to fire performance provided that they meet certain conditions regarding the minimum mean density of the wood and the minimum mean thickness of the product.

• The Commission’s Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/1228, on the conditions for classification, without testing, of external renders and internal plasters based on organic binders covered by the harmonised standard EN 15824 and rendering and plastering mortars covered by the harmonised standard EN 998-1 with regard to their reaction to fire.

  Tests have shown that these products have a stable and predictable reaction to fire performance provided that they meet certain conditions regarding the maximum organic content of the product, the maximum mass per unit area applied on the substrate and the fire performance of the substrate.

Annex to the Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/1227 replaces table 1 of the Annex to Decision 2005/610/EC. This decision establishes the classes of reaction to fire performance without testing for certain construction products, including glued laminated timber.

Differences between the two provisions are reduction of the minimum global thickness to achieve the established classification -22 mm instead of 40 mm- and incorporation of structural finger jointed solid timber products covered by the EN 15497.

On 28 September the Commission launched the pilot phase for Level(s), the first tool developed to create a new EU-framework for sustainable buildings, which will help transform the building sector and support the transition to the circular economy. This phase will last two years.

Level(s) is a voluntary reporting framework which provides a “common language” in sustainability, through a series of indicators that enable the measurement of building performances from the sustainability point of view throughout their lifecycle. These indicators are based on existing tools and standards, and cover energy, materials, water, health and comfort, climate change and life cycle costs and value.

Construction stakeholders are invited to learn about and try out this new tool. The European Commission on its part will provide technical assistance to those applying all or part of Level(s).

Two technical guidance reports have been published to support the pilot phase. The first provides an introduction to Level(s); the second provides detailed guidance on how to carry out performance assessments using Level(s).

The Commission will host a workshop on the pilot phase for organisations interested in participating, in Brussels on December 4.

To learn more about Level(s) http://ec.europa.eu/environment/eussd/buildings.htm

Level(s) is applicable to office buildings and several types of residential buildings.

Each Level(s) indicator is designed to link the individual building’s impact with the European priorities for sustainability:

• Greenhouse gas emissions throughout the building’s life cycle
• Resource efficient and circular material life cycles
• Efficient use of water resources
• Healthy and comfortable spaces
• Adaptation and resilience to climate change
• Life cycle cost and value

The aim of this October 4 meeting was to discuss the need for EOTA as an alternative structure to CEN. During the meeting it was noted that the time factor is of great importance to manufacturers, as well as an available structure that can offer an immediate response to innovative products or products not covered by harmonised standards. Interventions from participants have emphasised the need for EOTA, with some adjustments. For example, a greater involvement of industry in works which are not subject to confidentiality.

During the first half of the year, EOTA elaborated a CPR Annex II revision proposal on the European assessment document adoption procedure. This proposal takes into account some situations not covered by the current Annex II. Its implementation would enable a greater involvement of industry (see Report No 11). This proposal has been submitted to the Commission for its consideration.

The European construction market has a volume of approx. 13 trillion EUR, a huge opportunity for construction product manufacturers. However, many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with innovative or non-standard products shy away from the administrative and technical barriers they fear to encounter when entering the European market.

The European Technical Assessment-ETA enables manufacturers to market their non-standard products throughout Europe with the CE marking.

The European Organisation for Technical Assessment-EOTA organises an information session on 15 November 2017 in Brussels. Those attending will learn more about this European assessment option and to share experiences with other SMEs.

At the 17^th meeting of the EOTA Technical Board, the state of the conversion works from the first set (priority A) was analysed. Two of these conversion works have already been published in the OJEU.

Detailed situation of the conversion works:

• EAD on mechanical fasteners (conversion from ETAG 001 parts 1 to 4): published in the OJEU, on 9.12.2016 (*).
• EAD on bonded anchors (conversion from ETAG 001 part 5): The Commission has requested the inclusion of clauses to assess dangerous substances. Development of these clauses is at an advanced stage.
• EAD on mechanical fasteners for multiple use for non-structural applications (conversion from ETAG 001 part 6): comments received on the circulated draft are being analysed.
• EAD on prefabricated stair kits (conversion from ETAG 008): published in the OJEU, on 13.5.2016.
• EAD (2 doc.) on post-tensioning kits for prestressing of structures (conversion from ETAG 013): the Commission has confirmed the need of clauses to assess dangerous substances in this conversion first phase. Development of these clauses in progress.
• EAD on reactive coatings for fire protection of steel elements (conversion from ETAG 018 part 2): the Commission has confirmed the need of clauses to assess dangerous substances in this conversion first phase. These clauses have been developed.
• EAD on fire protective renderings (conversion from ETAG 018 part 3): the Commission has confirmed the need of clauses to assess dangerous substances in this conversion first phase. These clauses have been developed.
• EAD on fire protective boards (conversion from ETAG 018 part 4): the Commission has confirmed the need of clauses to assess dangerous substances in this conversion first phase. These clauses development will shortly be completed.
• EAD on penetration seals (conversion from ETAG 026 part 2): the Commission has confirmed the need of clauses to assess dangerous substances in this conversion first phase. These clauses have been developed.
• EAD on linear joint and gap seals (conversion from ETAG 026 part 3): the Commission has confirmed the need of clauses to assess dangerous substances in this conversion first phase. These clauses have been developed.
• EAD on mechanical fasteners for use in masonry (conversion from ETAG 029): the Commission has requested the inclusion of clauses to assess dangerous substances. Development of these clauses is at an advanced stage.

(*) Revision and technical improvement works have started (2^nd phase of the conversion). The published EAD is the result of a conversion without technical changes, but including punctual changes in some cases.<

At the 17^th meeting of the Technical Board, the state of the conversion works from the second set was analysed (priority B +3 additional priority C). One of these conversion works has already been published in the OJEU.

        Detailed situation of the works:

• EAD on structural sealant glazing systems (conversion from ETAG 002 parts 1 and 3): a new draft will be circulated for comments in October.
• EAD on internal partition kits (conversion from ETAG 003): final working group draft in circulation until October 19.
• EAD on external thermal insulation composite system (conversion from ETAG 004): new draft and meeting planned for November.
• EAD on plastic anchors for ETICS (conversion from ETAG 014): published in the OJEU, on 9.12.2016.
• EAD on three-dimensional nailing plates (conversion from ETAG 015): there were no comments on these works at the meeting.
• EAD on plastic anchors (conversion from ETAG 020): final working group draft in circulation until October 21.
• EAD on falling rock protection kits (conversion from ETAG 027): new draft in circulation until October 9. Comments received will be dealt with by the working group.
• EAD on dowels for structural joints (conversion from ETAG 030): there were no comments on these works at the meeting.
• EAD on cladding kits (conversion from ETAG 034 parts 1 and 2): EC consultant comments were received and dealt with by the working group. The revised version was sent to EOTA, where it was sent for publication in the OJEU, pending Commission’s final approval.

The 2017/C 343/06 Commission Communication has been published in the Official Journal of the European Union-OJEU on the 13^th of October 2017. With this communication, the EAD list has been extended to include the following EADs:

EAD 040456-00-1201 and 150002-00-0301 are the fourth and fifth EADs developed by ITeC within EOTA framework.

These documents may be consulted on EOTA’s website (www.eota.eu), in section “Our Publications”.

According to 26.09.2017 data:

• European Technical Assessments-ETA requests: 5410
• European Technical Assessments-ETA issued: 3590

Data provided by EOTA secretariat at the 17^th meeting of the Technical Board.

• Two published EAD, developed by ITeC within EOTA framework:
  • EAD 040456-00-1201 In-situ formed loose fill thermal and/or acoustic insulation material made of animal fibres
  • EAD 150002-00-0301 Calcium aluminate based refractory cement

• Conversion works from ETAG 034 on kits for external wall claddings to an EAD, led by ITeC, continue advancing. After considering the Commission’s consultant comments by the working group, a reviewed EAD was sent to EOTA. On October 17, EOTA sent it for publication in the OJEU, pending Commission’s final approval.

  Moreover, Technical Report TR 038, related to the application of the previous EAD to thin metallic composite panels, has already been approved and is available on EOTA website.

• ITeC has five European Assessment Documents-EAD published in the OJEU. At present, it is working on eleven other EAD:
  • One has been sent for the publication phase, after issuing the first European Technical Assessment-ETA
  • Five have been internally approved by EOTA and the corresponding European Technical Assessment-ETA are being prepared
  • The five remaining are at different elaboration phases

• Between 30.06.2017 and 17.10.2017, ITeC has issued eight ETA and has seventeen under elaboration at present.

  The issued ETA are from the following ETAG and EAD (see EOTA’s website, under publications).

• • ETAG 018, Parts 1 and 3, on fire protective mortars
    • ETA 17/0470 Perlifoc^® LD from Perlita y Vermiculita SLU
    • ETA 17/0661 Pyrolite^® 15 from Perlita y Vermiculita SLU
• • ETAG 034, on kits for external wall claddings
    • ETA 16/0645 Faveker^® FV (ceramic panels Faveker^® GA-16, GA-30 and GAV) from Gres de Aragón SA
      
• • ETAG 003, on internal partition kits
    • ETA 16/0454 Internal partition kits W11.es, W625.es and W628.es from Knauf GmbH Sucursal en España
• • ETAG 026, Parts 1 and 2, on fire stopping and fire sealing products
    • ETA 17/0614 KF Collar C from KNAUF di Knauf srl sas
    • ETA 17/0615 KF Multicollar from KNAUF di Knauf srl sas
    • ETA 17/0617 KF Collar from KNAUF di Knauf srl sas
• • EAD 150002-00-0301, on calcium aluminate based refractory cement
    • ETA 17/0007 Aluminite^® from Ciments Molins Industrial SA

The EU-LCI concept “Lowest concentration of interest” is the lowest concentration the amount above which the pollutant agent may have some effect on people in an indoor environment.

The classification included in the delegated act proposal from the Commission comprises the performance of three essential characteristics, one of which is EU-LCI ratio. (See Report Nº12)

At present, there is a section on the Commission website for the consultation of these values and related documentation: EU-LCI Working Group. Here the following lists can be found:

1. Agreed EU-LCI values
2. Substances with insufficient data
3. EU-LCI Master list (all the substances identified requiring an EU-LCI value)
4. EU-LCI Working list (substances currently being progressed)

These lists are regularly reviewed and these revisions may include new knowledge from the REACH implementation or compounds identified by Member States authorities.

Documents may also be consulted, such as publications, ECA-European Collaborative Action reports and others, as well as a glossary of related terms.

• Technical Platform “The future of EOTA”, Brussels, October 4, 2017
• Technical Board num. 17, Naples, October 10 and 11, 2017

• EOTA Event (see EOTA section), Brussels, November 15, 2017
• EOTA General Assembly, Brussels, November 16, 2017
• Technical Board num. 18, Brussels, November 29 and 30, 2017