Regulatory control for safety and fair competition
In Austria, construction products may only be made available on the market if they do not endanger health and safety and comply with the applicable legal requirements.
To ensure this, the Austrian Institute of Construction Engineering (OIB) acts as the market surveillance authority for construction products on behalf of the federal states. It carries out inspections throughout Austria, forwards any administrative violations to the competent administrative penal authorities and, if necessary, requests corrective measures from the economic operators concerned. In addition, the market surveillance authority is authorized to take appropriate restrictive measures for construction products that pose a serious risk.
Tasks of the market surveillance authority for construction products
The main areas of responsibility are “active market surveillance” and “reactive market surveillance”. In addition, the market surveillance authority works closely with the Austrian customs authorities, supports the federal states in drawing up construction products and market surveillance laws and represents Austrian interests in international committees.
Active
Market surveillance
As part of annual market surveillance programs, the market surveillance authority systematically checks certain product groups in coordination with the federal states.
The active market surveillance program 2025 includes
Ceramic tiles and slabs
according to EN 14411:2012
Thermal insulation materials
(continued)
Extruded polystyrene foam (XPS)
in accordance with EN 13164:2012+A1:2015
Cellular glass (CG)
in accordance with EN 13167:2012+A1:2015
Wood wool (WW)
in accordance with EN 13168:2012+A1:2015
Solid fuel single-room heaters
(continued)
Glulam and laminated beams
according to EN 14080:2013
Manholes and inspection chambers
made of concrete, steel fiber reinforced concrete and reinforced concrete according to
EN 1917:2002+AC:2008
Reactive market surveillance
The market surveillance authority investigates information, complaints and notifications regarding incorrectly labeled, non-compliant or dangerous construction products. The Austrian Institute of Construction Engineering is the market surveillance authority for all construction products within the jurisdiction of the federal states.
