On May 25, 2018, the following delegated decision, effective twenty days after its publication, was published in the Official Journal of the European Union-OJEU:

• Delegated Decision (UE) 2018/771 on the applicable system to assess and verify constancy of performance of anchor devices used for construction works and intended to prevent persons from falling from a height or to arrest falls from a height pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 305/2011 of the European Parliament and Council.
  For these anchor devices, the published decision establishes system 1+ for the assessment and verification of the constancy of performance (AVCP).

Currently these products are assessed based on an EAD, by means of an ETA. Once the ETA has been issued, a notified certification body intervenes to perform the system 1+ AVCP tasks.

In accordance with Delegated Regulation (EU) 568/2014, section 1.6 of the Annex, the notified bodies which intervene shall consider the ETA of these products as the assessment of the their performance. It is not necessary to repeat this assessment (tests, calculations, etc.).

On May 29, 2018, the following delegated decision, effective twenty days after its publication, was published in the Official Journal of the European Union-OJEU:

• Delegated Decision (UE) 2018/779 on the applicable system to assess and verify consistency of performance of metal-faced sandwich panels for structural use, pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 305/2011 of the European Parliament and Council.
  For these panels, the published decision establishes different systems for the assessment and verification of the constancy of performance (AVCP) depending on the essential characteristics.

This decision will not be applied to metal-faced sandwich panels for non-structural use, regulated in Commission Decision 98/436/CE and 98/437/CE.

For these sandwich panels, the applicable system changes depending on the essential characteristics:
– System 2+ for characteristics related to Basic Requirement No. 1 (mechanical resistance and stability).
– System 1/3/4 for fire reaction in accordance with the conditions indicated in the Decision.
– System 3 for all other essential characteristics.

This meeting took place on 3 May in Brussels. It consisted of a workshop on the preliminary results obtained in the support study to assess the review of the Regulation, as well as its impact. For this study -led by VVA Economics & Policy-, consultations, interviews and recently an online public survey were carried out. In the latter, 641 responses have been obtained from a wide variety of stakeholders in the sector. The final submission of this study to the Commission is scheduled for July this year.

The main conclusion is related to the range of options proposed by the Commission for the review of the Regulation. The sector does not want radical changes for this review. Most of the responses are in favour of improvements in its implementation – without changes in its articles – or in favour of a limited review of the articles.

The workshop also addressed, among other issues, the re-introduction of the concept of “fitness for use”. This possibility appeared in a considerable number of responses. During the discussion it was found that there is a lack of clarity in the ideas about or what was meant by “fitness for use”. It was also indicated that this would mean a radical change in the Regulation. On the other hand, ITeC stated that it was in favour of improving the technical coherence of the common technical language, establishing minimum characteristics that should be declared depending on the use or introducing limit values when necessary, in order to avoid incomplete performance declarations or low quality products. Another point highlighted was the possibility of supplementing product performance with other information concerning, for example, on-site application, especially for innovative or little-known products.

According to information from different sources, it seems that, within the range of options proposed, the Commission would be inclined towards a more radical change.

At the 20^th meeting of the EOTA Technical Board the situation of the conversions from the first set (priority A) was analysed. To date, eleven of these conversions have been published in the OJEU.

Detailed situation of the 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): once adopted, the document was sent to the EC consultant for comment; the comments received back have been addressed in the working group and the revised document has been sent for confirmation to all the designated institutes in this area of products.
• 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(*).

(*) Work has started on revision and technical improvement (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 20^th meeting of the EOTA Technical Board, the situation of the conversions from the second set (priority B) was analysed. So far, one of these conversions has 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 comments from the EC consultant are being addressed.
• EAD on internal partition kits (conversion from ETAG 003): the document revised in accordance with the comments from EC consultant has been confirmed; it will be submitted soon for publication.
• EAD on external thermal insulation composite system (conversion from ETAG 004): the third meeting of the working group was held 18-19.06.2018; the document resulting from the discussions will be sent out to its members for comment.
• 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): once adopted, the document was sent to the EC consultant for comment; these have been addressed and the revised document will soon be submitted for publication.
• EAD on falling rock protection kits (conversion from ETAG 027): the working group has addressed the comments from the EC consultant; the revised document will soon be sent out for confirmation to all the designated institutes in this product area.

At the 20^th meeting of the EOTA Technical Board, the situation of the conversions from the third set (priority C) was analysed.

Detailed situation of the works:

• EAD on liquid applied roof waterproofing kits (conversion from ETAG 005): after sending out the document to all the designated institutes in this product area, comments received back have been addressed and the document will be sent out soon for the next stage.
• EAD on systems of mechanically fastened flexible roof waterproofing membranes (conversion from ETAG 006): after sending out the document to all the designated institutes in this product area, the comments received back have been addressed and the document will be sent out soon for the next stage.
• EAD on timber building kits (conversion from ETAG 007): work is in progress in the working group; the third meeting took place on 11.06.2018 and the fourth will take place on 27.08.2018.
• EAD on non load-bearing permanent shuttering kits/systems based on hollow blocks or panels of insulation materials or concrete (conversion from ETAG 009): the first draft circulated for comment in the working group until 2.07.2018.
• EAD on self supporting translucent roof kits (conversion from ETAG 010): the first draft is being drawn up and will be circulated for discussion at the first meeting of the working group, in September.
• EAD on light composite wood-based beams and columns (conversion from ETAG 011): work is in progress in the working group; one meeting was held on 19.04.2018 and another on 13.06.2018.
• EAD on three-dimensional nailing plates (conversion from ETAG 015): once adopted, the document was sent for comment to the EC consultant; the comments received back are being addressed.
• EAD on veture kits (conversion from ETAG 017): the first draft was circulated for comment in the working group until 2.07.2018.
• EAD on pre-fabricated wood-based load-bearing stressed skin panels (conversion from ETAG 019): work is in progress in the working group; one meeting was held on 20.04.2018 and another on 14.06.2018; a further meeting is planned for a date to be confirmed.
• EAD on water covering kits for wet room floors and/or walls (conversion from ETAG 022 parts 1-3): the first draft of each of the three parts is being drawn up; the delicate points will be discussed at a meeting of the working group, after summer.
• 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): second meeting of the working group on 3.07.2018 to discuss the delicate points of the first draft.
• EAD on expansion joints for road bridges (conversion from ETAG 032 parts 1-8): work has been accelerated; the third meeting of the working group will take place 27-28.06.2018.
• EAD on cladding kits (conversion from ETAG 034 parts 1 and 2): see information in the “ITeC and European Technical Assessment” section.

• Conversion of the ETA Guideline on fire retardant products (ETAG 28)
  Following the meeting held on 5 April in Barcelona -ITeC- two new drafts were circulated until the document was approved by the working group. Subsequently, the document was sent for approval and comment to all the designated technical assessment bodies in this product area. Just two comments have been received and they have been considered.
• Conversion of the ETA Guideline on kits for external wall claddings (ETAG 34)
  The latest revision, which includes the points requested by the Commission, has been approved by EOTA and resubmitted to the Commission for publication.
  The points requested by the Commission are: inclusion of new clauses for the assessment of dangerous substances; inclusion of clause for the fire performance of façades; exclusion of Annex O “Guide to define the cladding kit subject of the ETA”.

ITeC now has seven EADs published in the OJEU. It is currently working on another eleven EADs:

• One has been submitted for publication, with the first ETA having been issued
• Four have been adopted internally by the EOTA and the corresponding ETAs are being developed
• The remaining six are in different stages of development

Note: this point does not take into account the conversion works indicated in the first point of this section.

Between 24.03.2018 and 25.06.2018, ITeC issued five ETAs and has another twenty-eight in development. The issued ETAs are from the following ETA Guideline and EADs (see the EOTA website, publications section).

• ETA Guideline 005, on liquid applied roof waterproofing kits
  • ETA 07/0075 Roof waterproofing system SPRING from Euroquímica Paints SA
• EAD 020001-01-0405, on multi-axis concealed hinge assemblies
  • ETA 18/0099 Alfa 29, Alfa 30, Alfa 30 INOX, Alfa 31 and Alfa 32 from Inther Systems Europe SA
• EAD 0400007-00-1201, on thermal insulation products for buildings with radiant heat reflective component
  • ETA 18/0345 AISREC REFLEX PRIME from Industrial Recense SL
• EAD 040138-01-1201, on in-situ formed loose fill thermal and/or acoustic insulation products made of vegetable fibres
  • ETA 10/0311 COTON-FRP from RMT Isolation SL
• EAD 350140-00-1106, on renderings and rendering kits intended for fire resisting applications
  • ETA 13/0221 Igniplaster® from Promat Ibérica SA

In the case of products or kits subject of an ETA, the declaration of performance (DoP) includes the reference to the EAD applied in assessing the product and the reference to the ETA, product assessment carried out by the Technical Assessment Body.

The ETA incorporates the product performance concerning the essential characteristics assessed. The manufacturer will include in the DoP the essential characteristics assessed in the ETA and their values. By issuing the DoP, the manufacturer assumes responsibility for the values declared for its product. This a fundamental point.

For this reason, the manufacturer will use the ETA as a source of technical information in order to issue the DoP. The manufacturer can use the values expressed in the ETA or can make adjustments, depending on his experience with the product and its production control.

Therefore, the DoP is the document for users in considering performance. However, it is also advisable to consult the ETA, given that it provides very useful technical information, e.g. the detailed technical definition of the product and its intended use, along with the conditions under which the assessment was carried out, in accordance with the manufacturer’s indications. This is especially important for those essential characteristics that are tested under end-use conditions, e.g. fire resistance.

Note: this response is based on the draft of the revision of document “Guidelines for the format application of the EAD format”, introduced at EOTA on 18.04.2018 and later at the Advisory Group.

• EOTA General Assembly, Brussels, 17 April 2018
• Technical Platform for the Regulation revision “Validation Workshop”, Brussels, 3 May 2018
• Technical Board no. 20, Brussels, 20 and 21 June 2018

• Technical Board no. 21, Bratislava, 9 and 10 October 2018
• EOTA General Assembly, Brussels, 21 November 2018
• Technical Board no. 22, Brussels, 12 and 13 December 2018