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What is CE marking?
As of January 1, 2012, CE marking is mandatory for structural timber in Europe. This requirement stems from the European Construction Products Directive (CPD) and the Construction Products Regulation (CPR), aimed at removing barriers to the free movement of construction products within the European Union and harmonizing national regulations.
Objective of the Construction Products Regulation (CPR)
The CPR aims to ensure that construction products are suitable for their intended function and meet a number of fundamental requirements. The most important of these requirements are:
- Mechanical strength and stability
- Fire safety
- Hygiene, health, and environment
- Safety in use
- Protection against noise disturbance
- Energy saving and thermal insulation
- Sustainable use of natural resources
These regulations are translated into essential product characteristics and control methods in harmonized European standards or European Technical Approvals (ETA).
CE MARKING and Compliance
According to the CPR, all construction products must bear the CE marking before they can be placed on the market. The CE marking indicates that the manufacturer declares that the product complies with the provisions of the reference documents and can therefore be traded throughout the European Economic Area.
CE marking of Structural Timber
For structural timber with a rectangular cross-section, the CE marking is regulated by standard EN 14081 and NBN 16 520:2009 "Visual grading of structural timber with a rectangular cross-section". The marking distinguishes different strength classes, indicating for which applications the wood is suitable.
| Strength Class | Description |
|---|---|
| C16 | Lowest quality, widely used for non-visible structures |
| C18 | Suitable for visible structures |
| C24 | Suitable for visible structures |
| C30 | For aesthetically important applications |
Grading Standards for Different Wood Species
Below are some common grading standards and their corresponding strength classes for different wood species:
| Grading Standard | Wood Species | Strength Class |
|---|---|---|
| BS 4978 (2007) | Spruce, Pine | C16, C24 |
| NF B 52-001 (2007) | Spruce, Pine, Douglas | C18, C24, C30 |
| DIN 4074 (2008) | Spruce, Pine, Larch | C16, C24, C30 |
| INSTA 142 | Spruce, Pine, Larch, Fir | C14, C18, C24, C30 |
| STS 04.1 (2008) | Spruce, Pine, Larch, Douglas | C16, C18, C24, C30 |
Name Codes for Timber
The STS 04 Timber standard assigns a four-letter code to European and non-European softwood species according to standard EN 13556 (2003):
| Trade Name | Scientific Name | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Douglas | Pseudotsuga menziesii | PSMN |
| Spruce | Picea abies | PCAB |
| Larch spp. | Larix spp. | LADC |
| Pine | Pinus sylvestris | PNSY |
| European Oak | Quercus spp. | QCXE |
| Beech | Fagus sylvatica | FASY |
| Sweet Chestnut | Castanea sativa | CTST |
| Poplar | Populus spp. | POXE |
Application of CE Marking on Other Products
In addition to structural timber, CE marking also applies to other products such as facade and wall cladding, according to standard NBN EN 14 915 "Wall and facade cladding of solid wood – properties, conformity assessment, and marking".
Conclusion
The CE marking plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality and safety of construction products within the European Union. For structural timber, this marking provides assurance that the wood meets strict requirements regarding strength, stability, fire safety, and other important aspects. Through harmonized standards and clear guidelines, construction products can be freely traded within the EU, contributing to an efficient and transparent construction process.
For more information on the official texts of the Construction Products Directive (CPD) and the Construction Products Regulation (CPR), you can refer to the following links: