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Manufacturers and importers of building glass must comply with the requirements of the Construction Products Regulation 2011, including labelling, documentation, testing, and more.
In this guide, which covers building glass requirements for which harmonised standards under the CPR 2011 exist. We also explain why these standards are important to identify the specific requirements that apply to your product. We also explain some of the key requirements.
Here are examples of building glasses that are covered by harmonised standards under the regulation:
- Soda lime silicate glass products
- Mirrors from silver-coated float glass
- Glass blocks
- Glass pavers
- Coated glass
- Insulating glass units
- Borosilicate glasses
- Glass Ceramics
- Borosilicate safety glass
- Factory-made cellular glass (CG) products
- Alkaline earth silicate glass products
- Laminated glass
- Laminated safety glass
- Alumino-silicate glass product
Note that, in this guide, we only cover requirements set by the Construction Products Regulation 2011.
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Building glass standards
There are harmonised standards under the Construction Products Regulation 2011 that cover building glass. According to the regulation, the manufacturer of products covered by such standards must create a declaration of performance based on the technical documentation. Furthermore, when the declaration of performance is created, the CE marking must be affixed to the products.
Harmonised standards also determine which system of assessment and verification of constancy of performance of the building glass should be applied. The possible systems are listed in Annex V of the regulation, and they specify tasks for the manufacturer and for the notified body (if any).
Because harmonised standards are connected to numerous requirements under the regulation, the first step to complying with the regulation is to assess whether there exist harmonised standards that cover your type of building glass.
Here are the harmonised standards related to building glass that we could find:
EN 572-9 – Glass in building – Basic soda lime silicate glass products – Part 9: Evaluation of conformity/Product standard
EN 1036-2 – Glass in building – Mirrors from silver-coated float glass for internal use – Part 2: Evaluation of conformity; product standard
EN 1051-2 – Glass in building – Glass blocks and glass pavers – Part 2: Evaluation of conformity/Product standard
EN 1096-4 – Glass in building – Coated glass – Part 4: Product standard
EN 1279-5 – Glass in building – Insulating glass units – Part 5: Product standard
EN 1748-1-2 – Glass in building – Special basic products – Borosilicate glasses – Part 1-2: Evaluation of conformity/Product standard
EN 1748-2-2 – Glass in building – Special basic products – Glass ceramics – Part 2-2: Evaluation of conformity/Product standard
EN 1863-2 – Glass in building – Heat strengthened soda lime silicate glass – Part 2: Evaluation of conformity/Product standard
EN 12150-2 – Glass in building – Thermally toughened soda lime silicate safety glass – Part 2: Evaluation of conformity/Product standard
EN 12337-2 – Glass in building – Chemically strengthened soda lime silicate glass – Part 2: Evaluation of conformity/Product standard
EN 13024-2 – Glass in building – Thermally toughened borosilicate safety glass – Part 2: Evaluation of conformity/Product standard
EN 13167 – Thermal insulation products for buildings – Factory made cellular glass (CG) products – Specification
EN 14178-2 – Glass in building – Basic alkaline earth silicate glass products – Part 2: Evaluation of conformity/Product standard
EN 14179-2 – Glass in building – Heat soaked thermally toughened soda lime silicate safety glass – Part 2: Evaluation of conformity/Product standard
EN 14305 – Thermal insulation products for building equipment and industrial installations – Factory made cellular glass (CG) products – Specification
EN 14321-2 – Glass in building – Thermally toughened alkaline earth silicate safety glass – Part 2: Evaluation of conformity/Product standard
EN 14449 – Glass in building – Laminated glass and laminated safety glass – Evaluation of conformity/Product standard
EN 15681-2 – Glass in Building – Basic alumino silicate glass products – Part 2: Product standard
EN 15682-2 – Glass in building – Heat soaked thermally toughened alkaline earth silicate safety glass – Part 2: Evaluation of conformity/Product standard
EN 15683-2 – Glass in building – Thermally toughened soda lime silicate channel shaped safety glass – Part 2: Evaluation of conformity/Product standard
By reading the descriptions of the above standards published on the CEN-CENELEC website, we found that the standards can contain procedural requirements relating to testing, evaluation of conformity, marking and labelling, among other requirements.
Documentation
Declaration of performance (DoP)
If the manufacturer finds that a harmonised standard applies to their building glass, it must create a declaration of performance on the basis of technical documentation. Additionally, the declaration must be retained for 10 years.
The declaration is created using the model found in Annex III of the regulation. In the Annex, there are instructions for drawing up the declaration.
Instructions
Manufacturers must provide instructions and safety information about the building glass. They should have the instructions translated to meet the language requirements of EU member states where the building glass is sold.
Technical documentation
When harmonised standards cover the building glass, the manufacturer creates technical documentation and keeps it for a period of 10 years.
The technical documentation must contain descriptions of all the relevant elements related to the required system of assessment and verification.
Labelling
CE marking
Once he draws up the declaration of performance, the manufacturer must affix the CE marking to the building glass. The information listed in Article 9 of the Construction Products Regulation 2011 should follow the CE marking.
Other labelling requirements
The manufacturer must also ensure that the building glass comes with the following information for traceability purposes:
- The building glass type, batch or serial number
- Manufacturer’s name, registered trade name or registered trade mark
- Manufacturer’s contact address
Note that importer information must also be present if you are a company importing building glass manufactured outside the EU.
Building glass testing
Harmonised standards for building glass contain procedural requirements for testing. To comply with these requirements and the other performance and safety requirements set by the regulation, you should approach a lab testing company.
Note that there can be situations where a harmonised standard specifies a system of assessment and verification that requires a notified body to test the building glass.
Here are some examples of the different types of tests for building glass:
- Thermal resistance testing
- Thermal conductivity testing
- Tests regarding the suitability of the product in the intended application
Manufacturers who approach a lab testing company for their testing services can expect to receive lab testing reports. A valid testing report can be used to show that the product complies with the requirements of the regulation.
FAQ
Is CE marking required for building glass in the EU?
Under the Construction Products Regulation 2011, when a harmonised standard covers your product, you must draft a declaration of performance. Once you have created the declaration of performance, you must affix the CE marking to the product as well.
This is one of the reasons why identifying harmonised standards that cover your product is important – it determines whether the CE marking is required.
How do we comply with building glass standards?
Building glass standards contain safety and performance requirements. To comply with the requirements, you must test the building glass, typically by approaching a third-party lab testing company.
Additionally, manufacturers must apply the system of assessment and verification specified in the building glass standard. Information about the different systems is contained in Annex V of the regulation. The systems list out tasks for the manufacturer and for the notified body (if any).
Is a notified body required?
The harmonised standards that apply to your building glass should mention which system of assessment and verification is required. Some of these systems require the involvement of a notified body.
You can look at the contents of Annex V of the Construction Products Regulation 2011 to learn which systems require a notified body.
Which system applies?
Manufacturers should be able to find out which system of assessment and verification is required by reading the contents of the harmonised standards covering their building glass. The different systems are listed in Annex V of the Construction Products Regulation 2011.
