Windows Whacked Again - No CE Mark Extension For Fenestration

• Browse By Section
• News
• Windows Whacked Again - No CE Mark Extension For Fenestration

The Department for Business and Trade has announced the indefinite extension of the CE mark recognition – but not for construction products including windows, doors and locks.

Since 2013 all manufacturers of locks and windows & doors have been required to display a valid CE mark on their products. It is a system they have all been familiar and comfortable with regardless of whether they were exporting to Europe or not.

However, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities has issued a clarification stating that there is no extension for construction products – the recognition of the CE mark will continue only until 30 June 2025. 

DLUHC claims this move will reduce business costs and streamline the product placement process, benefiting consumers.

The new system for construction products will be the UKCA Mark. Manufacturers are having to have products tested to obtain the new marking at huge cost and have continuously asked why they have to be subjected to a new regime. Exporters are particularly angry have having to go through two testing regimes (one for domestic and one for Europe) when the CA (conformity assessment) are likely to be identical.

Manufacturers in almost every other sector have won the argument and forced the government in the ‘indefinite extension’ of the CE Mark.

The Building Safety Act

Some construction product manufacturers and their representative organisations believe that not only is UKCA a folly but it could have been put to good use in identifying safety critical products. Ergo only such products would have to carry to mark to comply with the Construction Products Regulations and thus the Building Safety Act.

Brexit nonsense

In some government quarters, it is still hoped that the EU will accept ‘harmonisation’ of the UKCA and the CE Mark…ergo the UKCA will be exactly the same as the CE after years of wrangling and re-testing.

Door & Hardware Federation

Michael Skelding, general manager & secretary at the DHF, says: “I support the suggestion in the Morrell Report that the UKCA mark should signify the quality and safety of products rather than being tied to the chance of harmonised standards.”

Picture: The much-maligned UKCA Mark.

www.dhfonline.org.uk

Article written by Cathryn Ellis
09th August 2023

Share

Related Articles