“CE2+” appears to be rapidly becoming shorthand in our industry for describing structural wood-based panels. Unfortunately, like that other plywood term we abuse so regularly, WBP, marking our products with “CE2+” is at best misleading and, according to views recently expressed by Trading Standards experts, is something which should never be physically applied to our products.
The TTF and TRADA are holding a joint seminar on September 3 to highlight this critical issue and the message I hope delegates will take with them is that “CE2+ is simply not enough”. Yes, structural wood-based panels need this qualification, but on its own the “CE2+” attestation process only tells buyers the factory has documented control systems and twice each year those systems are reviewed by an independent Notified Body.
What “CE2+” does not deliver is any assurance about how the product may perform. The responsibility for providing such information rests with YOU, the seller. Of course, if there are problems after delivery you can always try and go back up the supply chain to get the data you need, can’t you? If you really believe that, then pick up the phone now and ask your supplier to send you structural data for the “CE2+” plywood he delivered last week. Not certificates, not bland assurances, but actual data, figures in a table which an engineer could use to calculate if his building will stand up or fall down.
OK, so following your call someone manages to fax you over something which appears to be structural data for plywood – does that fulfil your responsibilities?
Let me give an example. If someone sold you a container load of DVDs claiming they contained the latest blockbuster release, but when they arrived they had no labels other than the name of the film, would the seller faxing you a copy of the DVD sleeve convince you the product was genuine?
Initially I wasn’t sure this was a good example until someone pointed out that a genuine DVD retails at around £12 but a sheet of genuine 18mm structural plywood retails at over £30.
