Construction Products
European directive (89/106/CEE) - of 21 December 1988

What is the CPD?

It is the European Directive for construction that harmonizes the Sector's legislation of the Member States replacing the previous existing National Rules. The CPD is due to substitute the existing DM LLPP in Italy, the U Mark in Germany, etc., but every State has the responsibility to ensure its correct application within their territory. Supplementary applicative rules can be established, differing in function according to national specificity, as long as they do not conflict with the CPD (for example limitative rules).

What is its purpose?

To ensure that work is carried out in such a way so as not to compromise the security of people, animals and goods. For this the following essential requirements are specified:
1. Mechanical resistance and stability
2. Security in case of fire
3. Hygiene, health and environment
4. Security in use
5. Noise protection
6. Energy saving and heat retention
The harmonized EN norms satisfy the essential requirements, bring down technical barriers and create the conditions for a single home market.

What is the field of application?

The CPD is applied to 'work' (structures and civil engineering work) and to 'materials' for construction. For materials for construction any product manufactured for the purpose of being permanently incorporated in a structure is meant. The CE mark is only requested for materials. Contrary to other directives, the CPD envisages the CE mark not on final built products (the structures), but rather on the materials to be used in their construction. That is because only these are objects of free movement within the entire area of the Community. Falling under the CPD are all tubes for the gas sector, wastewater and plumbing (from the meter to the tap), besides other structural items traditionally regulated by the DM.LLPP. Oil/gas pipelines do not fall under the CPD.

Is the CPD already enforceable?

The CPD is NOT at the moment enforceable for all steel tubes even if it has formally been assimilated by all countries within the Community. The following harmonized EN norms are now being issued:
EN 10210 (Rev) - Structural hollow sections
EN 10224 - Conveyance of aqueous liquids including water
EN 10255 - Civil work and installations
Pending the Harmonized Norms the rules/norms in force up until now will be used. In Italy DM LLPP of 9/01/96 and the national norms.

Which materials can be used?

Materials conforming to the following can be used:
Harmonized EN norms
Materials subjected to European Technical Approval.
European Technical Approval is an evaluation of suitability of a product for its expected use, based upon the correspondence to the essential requirements of CPD, issued by an authority competent at European level (notified), on request by the manufacturer or its appointed mandatee in the Community.

What is the correct certification?

The steel tube manufacturer has to be qualified to affix the CE mark on its products. In cases of minor importance it is sufficient that the manufacturer has a production control system which enables it to be established that production corresponds to the relative technical specifications. In cases of greater importance a recognized certification authority (TUV, Lloyds, etc.) is requested to intervene in the evaluation of the manufacturer (relative to control systems and verification of production of the same product).

What does the CE mark entail?

The CE mark identifies that the product conforms to the CPD and is accompanied by all the normal production certification. Application of the CE mark is the responsibility of the manufacturer. The CE mark can be affixed, according to the manufacturer's choice, on the product, on a label especially for the product, on the packaging or on the accompanying commercial documents. It makes the product recognizable as qualified/conforming to the CPD and only then can it be placed on the market. Consisiting of the CE symbol accompanied by:
- manufacturer's name and trademark and, if it is the case:
- symbols to identify product characteristics, depending on the technical specifications
- the last two numbers of the year of manufacture
- identifying symbol of the inspection authority concerned
- number of the CE conformity certificate.

Which are the recognized/notified authorities?

Each member State communicates to the Commission a list of names of certification bodies, inspection bodies and testing laboratories to be designated for the work of developing to the end technical approval, conformity certification, inspection and testing. Italy has notified the "Ministero LLPP/Servizio Tecnico Centrale" as certification authority. The Authorities act in competition with one another and can offer their certification service without distinction both in the Community area and to any company of a non-community country.