Manufacturers have urged the government to consider construction products after the decision to extend the European CE marking system indefinitely
Construction product manufacturers have argued that the current deadline for implementing UK conformity assessed (UKCA) products by June 30, 2025, is insufficient.
The UKCA policy was initially scheduled to begin in December 2024.
CE marking is a mandatory label applied to products, including construction products, sold within the European Economic Area (EEA). It shows that products have been subject to rigorous safety, health, and environmental criteria.
Did policymakers fail to consider construction products?
The CPA is worried that policymakers haven’t considered the construction sector’s difficulties and is urging more discussion on the issue.
“The last thing that is needed is to constrain product testing and certification to within these shores,” said Peter Caplehorn, chief executive of the Construction Products Association (CPA).
“It would take many decades and considerable investment to undertake all the necessary testing and certification solely in the UK, even if manufacturers could be persuaded to take part,” he added.
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) revealed on August 8 that 18 product groups under its control will gain from the ongoing extension of the European CE marking system. The DBT is focused on boosting the economy by cutting red tape and creating more efficient regulations to simplify operations for British businesses.
The government have defended the CE marking decision
“By extending CE marking use across the UK, firms can focus their time and money on creating jobs and growing the economy,” said Business Minister Kevin Hollinrake.
Peter Caplehorn argued that the lack of clarity in the announcement has led to confusion and speculation in the media.
According to the National Federation of Builders (NFB), the timing of the UKCA mark’s introduction has coincided with the introduction of the future homes’ standard, aimed at reducing carbon emissions of new homes by 75%.
“Testing and capacity remain major challenges, and therefore industry needs clarity and a clear direction of how the Government seeks to reform the UK’s construction product regime,” said NFB housing and planning policy head Rico Wojtulewicz.
UKCA marking may cause supply chain issues
According to Brokers at Hank Zarihs Associates, finance lenders are concerned that UKCA marking for construction products might result in supply chain delays, potentially causing a deeper decline in new home construction.
Recent data from the National House Building Council showed a 42% decrease in new home registrations during the second quarter of this year compared to the same period in 2022.
“We are committed to ensuring the testing regime for construction products is effective and inspires public and market confidence,” said a spokesperson for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC).
The DLUHC has said that proposals for construction product testing reform will be released soon. The proposals are expected to consider recommendations from the independent review of construction product testing.
