EN 1279 ‘Glass in buildings – insulating glass units’ has finally been posted in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJ). This means that, from next month, IGU manufacturers will be able to CE mark their units - and by March 2007 all units must comply with the Construction Products Directive (CPD).
And, said Adam Osborn of Notified Body BM TRADA Certification, CE marking is the most effective way to prove compliance. ‘There is no mystique about CE marking. Manufacturers must simply collect together specified test evidence and documentary evidence of factory production control, which most reputable companies already have in train.’
The requirements for CE marking, as set out in EN 1279 Part 5, Annexe ZA, include:
- Test evidence – EN 1279 Part 2 for air-filled units and Part 3 where units are gas-filled - from a recognised test laboratory; also Part 4 for sealants (often obtainable from sealant suppliers); and Part 6 audit testing (UV fogging, short-term climate test).
- Factory production control - documentation for a FPC system that meets the requirements of Part 6 and a manufacturing system description (Part 1)
BM TRADA’s sister company Chiltern Dynamics also holds Notified Body status in this key field and is one of only two UKAS-accredited laboratories in the UK to be able to test to EN 1279. Last year it significantly expanded its IGU testing facility to cater for steadily increasing demand. As Test Engineer Dawn Oxbrough said, ‘The procedure involves 14 weeks of testing, plus pre-test conditioning time, and there are no short cuts. Those who have held off testing until the standard was posted in the OJ will need to act quickly.’
She stressed: ‘Manufacturers who do not wish to CE mark should be aware that having initial type evidence alone will not be enough to ensure compliance with the CPD. They will also have to carry out the short-term climate test twice a year and most units will also need to undergo the UV fogging test.’
BM TRADA has developed its Q-Mark third–party certification scheme for IGUs to help manufacturers both to meet the demands of EN 1279 and to prepare for CE marking. The Q-Mark is recognised by the National House Building Council (NHBC) for IGUs going into windows for new homes.
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