UK manufacturers of non-standard building products have been warned to avoid making costly certification mistakes where no European Technical Approval Guidance (ETAG) is available.

Alpine Automation says companies should seek Building Regulations type approval for their products but warns that the cost of testing and certification for some items could be wasted if the products do not eventually qualify for a CE mark.

The Truro-based company, a supplier of nailplates and design software supplier to the trussed rafter industry, said certification through the British Board of Agrément (BBA), the traditional way of certifying non-standard products, does not permit CE-marking, which is not yet mandatory in the UK.

Alpine opted for LANTAC (Local Authority National Type Approval Certification), which entailed structural, fire and acoustic testing, for its Twin I-Beam as no ETAG was in force when the product was developed.

&#8220It meant we could market the product throughout England and Wales and it cost us only £3,500 compared with £20,000-£30,000 for BBA certification”

Patrick Martin, Alpine Automation managing director

Patrick Martin, Alpine Automation’s managing director, said: “It meant we could market the product throughout England and Wales and it cost us only £3,500 compared with £20,000-£30,000 for BBA certification.”

With ETAG being introduced for I-beams during November, the company is now preparing for ETAG011 certification, which will enable it to CE-mark the product.