Publication of European Assessment Documents (EADs) in the Official Journal of the EU

As of the end of June 2024, 408 EADs including various amendments have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union. 666 EADs are available at EOTA level for the issuing of European Technical Assessments (ETAs).

Text Elisabeth Bata

—

This also includes those EADs for which the acceptance procedures in accordance with Annex II to the Construction Products Regulation have been completed but which have not yet been published in the Official Journal. Note: The last publication of EADs in the Official Journal of the European Union took place after the Technical Board in July and contains 19 EADs.

As of the end of June 2024, 110 EADs are outstanding for publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. With regard to the new Regulation on construction products, EOTA is currently working on a “Citation Transition Plan” for the next twelve months in order to get as many EADs as possible into the Official Journal.

Impact of the new Construction Products Regulation (CPR new) on EOTA

At a meeting between EOTA and the European Commission (EC), questions regarding the understanding of the new CPR and its significance for EOTA were discussed. The EC’s written response to the questions is currently being prepared. Here are the main conclusions:

Validity of EADs

  • EADs that have been published in the ABEU remain valid for five years from the start of validity of the CPR new and can continue to be used for issuing ETAs without taking into account the requirements of the CPR new.
  • EADs that have not been published in the ABEU lose their validity from the start of validity of the CPR and can no longer be used to issue ETAs. These EADs must first be adapted to the requirements of the CPR.

Validity of ETAs

  • ETAs based on a published EAD remain valid for ten years from the start of validity of the CPR.
  • ETAs based on an unpublished EAD can no longer be used as a basis for drawing up a declaration of performance and CE marking from the date of application of the CPR.
  • ETAs based on an ETAG can no longer be used as a basis for drawing up a declaration of performance and CE marking once the CPR comes into force.

It is recommended to contact the respective Technical Assessment Body as soon as possible to clarify the conditions for reissuing the ETAs.

ETAs and Declaration of Performance and Conformity (DoPC)/CE marking

In the new CPR, the creation of a DoPC and CE marking is voluntary. The ETA makes this possible, but no longer obliges manufacturers.

EAD procedures during the transition phase Although the procedures can only be formally initiated on the basis of the currently valid CPR, it is possible to start with the preparation of climate change-related aspects as well as the information on general product information, instructions for use and safety information and machine readability. For the time being, placeholders are provided for this purpose.

EOTA will allocate its available resources primarily to EAD procedures that are either well advanced (cut-off date July 31, 2024), or procedures that take into account the above-mentioned additional requirements of the new CPR.

Creation of EADs in case of deviation from a harmonized standard According to CPR new, Article 31, the creation of EADs in case of deviation from a harmonized standard is possible for the following reasons:

  • deviating intended use,
  • deviating materials or
  • not suitable valuation method(s).

Amendments to delegated regulations

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/1399 of November 10, 2023 on the conditions for the classification of solid wood wall and ceiling finishes without reaction to fire testing and amending Decision 2006/213/EC took effect on August 20, 2024.

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/1681 of March 6, 2024 supplementing Regulation (EU) No 305/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council by establishing classes of performance in relation to the fire resistance of construction products took effect on July 3, 2024. Decision 2000/367/EC is repealed.

The meeting of the EOTA Technical Board took place in hybrid mode.