CE Marking a mark you can trust
Every Global Door carries a CE Marking and has done so for some time because we care for our customers and want them to have complete peace of mind when they buy a new door.When you purchase from our extensive range you will be provided with all of the documentation to prove your product complies and is approved for CE marking
So why is CE Marking so important?
July 2013 brings with it the dawn of a new era in the sale of Doors and Windows, no longer will the customer be left wondering regarding the quality of the product which they have purchased, the proof of the quality has to be there for all to see, displayed as a CE marking on all products.
From 1st July 2013 it will be mandatory for all doors and windows sold and installed in the UK to display a CE marking in order to show compliance with the new Construction Products Regulations for building products which replaces the previous legislation, the Construction Products Directive. The responsibility for compliance with this new legislation falls with the manufacturers, suppliers and installers of doors and windows as the legislation requires that it is they who accept responsibility for compliance with the new rules and ensure that only CE marked product is sold and installed from 1st July. The new legislation is in fact so stringent that any company failing to comply could fall foul of the serious consequences of fines or possibly imprisonment should they be convicted of trading outside of these new regulations. This is particularly relevant in the case of doors and windows where a breach of the key element of “security “an element subject to testing to achieve the CE mark is considered a major breach.
So what is CE marking and how does it benefit the customer – the basic key points –
- The letters “CE” are the abbreviation of French phrase “Conformité Européene” which literally means “European Conformity”. The term initially used was “EC Mark” and it was officially replaced by “CE Marking in 1993.”CE Marking” is now used in all EU official documents.
- CE Marking on a product is a manufacturer’s declaration that the product complies with the essential requirements of the relevant European health, safety and environmental protection legislation.
- CE Marking on a product indicates to governmental officials that the product may be legally placed on the market in their country.
- CE Marking on a product ensures the free movement of the product within the EFTA & European Union (EU) single market (total 28 countries), and
- CE Marking on a product permits the withdrawal of the non-conforming products by customs and enforcement/vigilance authorities
The full official guidelines can be found here on the government’s website
So what does it mean to the customer, in the simplest of terms the product is what it says it is and when sold as a complete unit all component parts are in compliance with current European Legislation, so the customer can purchase secure in the knowledge that the product has complied with the relevant standard required by the legislation.
The legislation refers to complete components – in respect of a Global Door – door/ frame / glass & all hardware and locking systems – however- should any third party component i.e a separately purchased side frame/ screen be required to complete a door and screen the responsibility to ensure CE compliance of all components would fall to the installer, a point to be aware of should you be undertaking a DIY installation.
Some certifying bodies, have expressed concern that many installers and fabricators will fall foul of the new legislation, or simply aren’t aware of their responsibilities, so there can be little greater incentive than to ensure that your new door is CE compliant, particularly when you are assured that to obtain CE marking comes at a cost to the manufacturer/ supplier/installer rather than the customer.
In order to achieve a CE Mark companies have to have their product accredited by Certifying bodies so when you purchase a CE you can be assured in the knowledge that the company selling you the product has put the customer’s requirements first by having taken the time and cost to ensure that their product is fully compliant.
