On February 20, seven European associations from the construction sector sent an open letter to the Chair and Vice-chair of the European Parliament Committee IMCO, to the Commissioner and to the General Director for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs of the Commission, to two DG GROW executives, and to the members of the Standing Committee for Construction. They express their concern about a possible repeal of the ETA route to CE marking, as described in some of the options for the CPR review presented by the European Commission.

Undersigning parties of this letter are: FIEC, CPE, SBS, EBS, ECS, CFE, EOTA.

These associations highlight the importance of European Technical Assessments-ETA and their benefits. They appeal to the Commission to maintain the ETA route to CE marking for innovative products and products not covered by a harmonised standard.

As indicated in the following piece of news, the Commission considers a range of options for the CPR review. One of them implies the annulment of the ETA route to CE marking.

It is entitled Public consultation on EU rules for products used in the construction of buildings and infrastructure works. The consultation period goes from January 22 to April 16, 2018. It is an open consultation to all the stakeholders of the construction sector.

This survey concerns the Construction Products Regulation revision, which is being analysed and evaluated by the Commission. Several sources, such as the “2016 report on the Construction Products Regulation application”, opinions from the REFIT platform and studies on the European construction sector regulations, have noted problems that affect this European regulation performance.

To address its revision, the Commission considers options ranging from improving the Regulation implementation or introducing changes in specific aspects to applying more radical solutions.

Apart from opinions and rating on the Regulation application, this survey will consult change option/s preferred for this revision.

Getting to know and assimilating the Directive 89/106/EEC, which was superseded by Regulation 305/2011 -at present subject to revision- took some 20 years. We understand that starting a radical revision of the Regulation now -after 4 and a half years since its implementation- could have negative impacts in the sector, specially for those manufacturers that have invested time and money in its implementation.

ITeC considers that the Regulation implementation should be clarified and improved, introducing only punctual changes in its articles. The answer given in the consultation reflects this idea.

Concerning European Assessment Documents (EAD) and European Technical Assessments (ETA), they are progressing and making possible CE marking for innovative products and products not covered by harmonised standards. For these products, the procedure update for their adoption -contained in Annex II of the Regulation- would allow streamlining of the process. This point is already known by the Commission and does not affect the Regulation articles.

At the 19^th meeting of the EOTA Technical Board, the state of the conversion works from the first set (priority A) was analysed. Eleven 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): published in the OJEU, on 15.12.2017 (*).
• EAD on mechanical fasteners for multiple use for non-structural applications (conversion from ETAG 001 part 6): the fourth draft has been circulated and comments received are being considered.
• 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): published in the OJEU, on 15.12.2017.
• EAD on reactive coatings for fire protection of steel elements (conversion from ETAG 018 part 2): published in the OJEU, on 15.12.2017.
• EAD on fire protective renderings (conversion from ETAG 018 part 3): published in the OJEU, on 15.12.2017.
• EAD on fire protective boards (conversion from ETAG 018 part 4): published in the OJEU, on 15.12.2017.
• EAD on penetration seals (conversion from ETAG 026 part 2): published in the OJEU, on 15.12.2017.
• EAD on linear joint and gap seals (conversion from ETAG 026 part 3): published in the OJEU, on 15.12.2017.
• EAD on mechanical fasteners for use in masonry (conversion from ETAG 029): published in the OJEU, on 15.12.2017 (*).

(*) 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 19^th meeting of the EOTA Technical Board, the state of the conversion works from the second set (priority B) was analysed. 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): the document completed by the working group was sent to the EC consultant for comments; comments have been received and will be considered in the working group.
• EAD on internal partition kits (conversion from ETAG 003): comments from the EC consultant were received and are being considered by the working group; the document will shortly be sent to EOTA for endorsement.
• EAD on external thermal insulation composite system (conversion from ETAG 004): new draft circulated for comments; a working group meeting on 18.03.2018 discussed the most relevant issues.
• EAD on plastic anchors for ETICS (conversion from ETAG 014): published in the OJEU, on 9.12.2016.
• EAD on plastic anchors (conversion from ETAG 020): third draft in circulation until 3.04.2018.
• EAD on falling rock protection kits (conversion from ETAG 027): comments from EC consultant were received; the working group will finalize its consideration in two or three weeks.

At the 19^th meeting of the EOTA Technical Board, the state of the conversion works from the third set (priority C) was analysed, as well as the project plans of those works that have just started.

Detailed situation of the works:

• EAD on liquid applied roof waterproofing kits (conversion from ETAG 005): second draft discussed by the working group.
• EAD on systems of mechanically fastened flexible roof waterproofing membranes (conversion from ETAG 006): second draft discussed by the working group.
• EAD on timber building kits (conversion from ETAG 007): first working group meeting on 5.03.2018; first draft will shortly be circulated to the working group for comments.
• EAD on non load-bearing permanent shuttering kits/systems based on hollow blocks or panels of insulation materials or concrete (conversion from ETAG 009): conversion works have begun; first working group meeting soon.
• EAD on self supporting translucent roof kits (conversion from ETAG 010): conversion works have begun; first working group meeting soon.
• EAD on light composite wood-based beams and columns (conversion from ETAG 011): conversion works have begun; first draft will shortly be circulated to the working group for comments.
• EAD on three-dimensional nailing plates (conversion from ETAG 015): the document approved in the working group will shortly be available and all TABs designated in this product area will be consulted.
• EAD on veture kits (conversion from ETAG 017): work plan presented during the Technical Board meeting.
• EAD on pre-fabricated wood-based loadbearing stressed skin panels (conversion from ETAG 019): conversion works have begun; first draft will shortly be circulated to the working group for comments.
• EAD on water covering kits for wet room floors and/or walls (conversion from ETAG 022 parts 1-3): works will start before summer, according to the working group convenor.
• EAD on fire retardant products (conversion from ETAG 028): see information in the “ITeC and European Technical Assessment” section.
• EAD on dowels for structural joints (conversion from ETAG 030): first draft in progress.
• EAD on expansion joints for road bridges (conversion from ETAG 032 parts 1-8): conversion works have begun; first working group meeting was on 6-7.03.2018.
• EAD on cladding kits (conversion from ETAG 034 parts 1 and 2): see information in the “ITeC and European Technical Assessment” section.

• ETA Guideline conversion on fire retardant products (ETAG 028)
  The first draft has been circulated for comments. The second draft elaborated from these comments has been circulated in the working group. On April 5, the working group will meet in Barcelona, in ITeC.
• ETA Guideline conversion on kits for external wall claddings (ETAG 034)
  A proposal for clauses to assess dangerous substances has been elaborated, at the request of the Commission. At the end of 2017, the Commission also requested the inclusion of clauses on façade fire assessment, prepared by the Commission as a result of the Grenfell Tower fire. These clauses are pending clarification for their implementation.
  Moreover, at the request of the Commission, Annex O “A guide to define the cladding kit subject of the ETA” will not be included. Its handling by means of an internal EOTA document will be discussed at Technical Board level. Once the first two subjects have been resolved, the document will be sent again for publication.

ITeC has six European Assessment Documents-EAD published in the OJEU. It is, at present, working on twelve other EAD:

• Two have been sent to the publication phase, as the first European Technical Assessment-ETA has been issued.
• Four have been internally approved by EOTA and the corresponding European Technical Assessment-ETA are being prepared

• The six remaining are at different elaboration phases

Between 14.12.2017 and 23.03.2018, ITeC has issued five ETA and has twenty three under elaboration at present.

The issued ETAs are from the following ETAGs and EADs (see EOTA’s website, under publications):

• EAD 260009-00-0301, on processed bottom ash from municipal solid waste incinerators as type II addition for production of concrete, mortar and grout
  • ETA 17/0908 Pozzolanica Solena from Solena s.r.l.
• EAD 350402-00-1106, on reactive coatings for fire protection of steel elements
  • ETA 12/0581 Hempacore ONE 43600 & Hempacore ONE FD 43601 from HEMPEL A/S
• EAD 010028-00-0101, on shallow and reusable foundation kit for lightweight structures
  • ETA 17/0660 Piloedre from 2PE Pilotes SL
• ETAG 034, on kits for external wall cladding
  • ETA 16/0645 FAVEKER® FV from GRES DE ARAGÓN S.A.
• ETAG 028, on fire retardant products
  • ETA 16/0520 Protecta Interior Paint FR-1 from Polyseam Ltd

At present there are more than 4200 issued ETA in Europe, for more than 1300 manufacturers. Information on all these ETAs is available in EOTA website, where all issued ETAs are compiled. See ETAssessment section. The summary sheet of each ETA is available in this section.

Note: for European Technical Approvals still in force, see ETApprovals.

ETA sheets are organised within 6 sections:

Number/version

• ETA Number (*)
• Version
• Date of issue (*)

Product

• Trade name (*)
• Generic type and use (*)

Holder/manufacturer

• Holder of assessment (*)
• Holder address
• Country (*)
• Manufacturing plant
• Website (optional)

Technical Assessment Body (*)

Assessment basis (EAD or ETAG used as EAD) (*)

AVCP

• Decision (*)
• System (*)

At present a browser allows people to make searches introducing up to 3 of the concepts marked with (*).

If we have specific information on the product or the ETA, we can use the ETA number or the product trade name to carry up the search. If that is not the case, we can use the EAD or ETA Guideline number, found in “Our publications”.

Documents can be obtained from the ETA holder or the technical assessment issuing body. All ETAs issued by ITeC are available in our website, except those for which the manufacturer does not wish to.

• Technical Board num. 19, Brussels, March 21 and 22, 2018

• EOTA General Assembly, Brussels, April 17, 2018
• Technical Board num. 20, Brussels, June 20 and 21, 2018
• Technical Board num. 21, Bratislava, October 9 and 10, 2018
• Technical Board num. 22, Brussels, December 12 and 13, 2018