Egger (UK) Ltd claims to be the first wood-based panel manufacturer in the country to offer CE marking.
The Hexham-based company decided to adopt CE marking for its chipboard, MDF and OSB products in advance of it becoming a legal requirement in April 2004.
The early adoption is intended to give customers and specifiers time to understand the marking and the subsequent impact on specification and use of products.
Egger described marking as “a positive move for the industry” which will ensure only fit-for-purpose products can be used, with the additonal benefit of making the specification process less confusing.
CE marking stems from the introduction of the Construction Products Directive which says wood-based panels for use in construction must comply with the requirements of the harmonised European standard, including mechanical stability and resistance, safety and protection against fire and noise.
To comply with the standard, manufacturers must demonstrate conformity of the product with the relevant technical specification, including testing and/or certification by a third party. Only then may a manufacturer use the CE mark.
