Regulations and Standards for Windows in the EU: A Practical Guide

Windows imported or manufactured for the EU market are subject to various harmonised standards under the Construction Products Regulation 2011. As such, CE marking is often required, which in turn means that manufacturers must follow certain procedures.

In this guide, we take a closer look at certain requirements applicable to windows under the Construction Products Regulation 2011. Here are some examples of windows that this guide relates to:

• Fixed windows
• Openable windows
• Roof windows
• Roof windows with external fire resistance
• Door height windows
• Power operated windows

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CPR 2011 requirements

Manufacturers of windows that are covered by harmonised standards under the Construction Products Regulation 2011 are required to meet specific CE marking, labelling, documentation, and other requirements.

In particular, the manufacturer of windows covered by harmonised standards must:

a. Draw up the declaration of performance

b. Create technical documentation

c. Affix the CE marking and ensure that it is followed by the information listed in Article 9

d. Apply the relevant factory production control (specified in the harmonised standard)

e. Apply the relevant system of assessment and verification (specified in the harmonised standard)

f. Work with a notified body (if this requirement is specified in the system of assessment and verification)

Note that other requirements under the CPR 2011 may also apply.

Harmonised standards for windows

We found the following harmonised standards whose titles specifically mention windows:

EN 14351-1 – Windows and doors – Product standard, performance characteristics – Windows and external pedestrian doorsets

EN 16034 – Pedestrian doorsets, industrial, commercial, garage doors and openable windows – Product standard, performance characteristics – Fire resisting and/or smoke control characteristics

Such harmonised standards contain requirements such as performance and safety requirements for windows. Note that there are also harmonised standards that cover materials that could be used to build windows, like glass. Here is an example of a harmonised standard that covers coated glass:

EN 1096-4 – Glass in building – Coated glass – Part 4: Product standard

Labelling requirements

Windows covered by harmonised standards must display the following labelling information:

a. The CE marking, along with the following information:

• Two last digits of the year in which the CE marking was affixed
• Manufacturer’s name and the registered address or the identifying mark
• Identification code of the product-type
• Reference number of the declaration of performance
• Level or class of the performance declared
• Reference to the harmonised technical specification that were used
• Identification number of the notified body (where applicable)
• Intended use of the product (as provided by the relevant harmonised standard)

b. Traceability information:

• Product type, batch or serial number
• Manufacturer’s name, registered trade name or registered trade mark
• Manufacturer’s contact address

Declaration of performance (DoP)

Where there is at last one harmonised standard that covers the window, a Declaration of Performance should be drafted using the model contained in Annex III of the regulation.

When the manufacturer draws up the declaration of performance, it is responsible for the conformity of the window with such declared performance. That said, that is more of a formality as the drawing up of a DoP is not voluntary in this context.

Instructions

According to Article 11, instructions and safety information must accompany the window. However, we could not find any specific list of items that must be included.

Technical documentation

If the window is covered by a harmonised standard, the manufacturer should draw up technical documentation. This, in turn, serves as the basis for the creation of the declaration of performance.

Additionally, the technical documentation must contain a description of all the relevant elements related to the required system of assessment and verification of constancy of performance (i.e., the applied harmonised standard determines the system to be applied).

You can find the list of systems in Annex V of the CRP 2011.

Product testing

Windows covered by harmonised standards must be tested to meet the performance and safety requirements of the standard and the Construction Products Regulation 2011.

Here are some examples of different types of tests that are a part of the testing process:

• Fire resisting testing
• Smoke control testing

After the window has been tested by a lab testing company, you can expect to receive test reports that can be used to demonstrate conformity with the requirements of the standard and the Construction Products Regulation 2011.

Third-party lab testing companies can be approached for their testing services. However, we found that where a harmonised standard requires system 3 of Annex V of the Construction Products Regulation, a notified laboratory must be involved in the testing of the window.

FAQ

Do windows need to be CE marked in the EU?

Windows that are covered by a harmonised standard under the Construction Products Regulation 2011 must have the declaration of performance drawn up.

When the declaration of performance is drawn up, the window must be CE marked. Hence, whether CE marking is required depends on if a harmonised standard applies.

Do harmonised standards exist for windows?

Yes, we found EN 14351-1 and EN 16034 are harmonised standards for windows. We also found that there are standards that may be relevant for certain parts of windows, such as glass. For instance, EN 1096-4 covers coated glass.

Is a notified body required for windows?

Where a harmonised standard covers the window, the standard specifies which system of assessment and verification is required. The system listed in Annex V of the Construction Products Regulation 2011 mentions whether a notified body is involved, along with their tasks.