Brexit / UKAS update published on UKAS website

UKCA : CPR System 3 – update

Technical Bulletin: UK CPR – Outsourcing of Testing by UK Approved Laboratories – Updated

What is important here:

Test reports in support of CE marking of construction products and issued by Notified Bodies from EU member states will continue to be accepted in the UK for a defined period
When this is no longer allowed, such test reports will need to be issued by UK Approved Test Laboratories unless alternative arrangements are confirmed by DLUHC. 

We will keep an eye on this so that we can warn everyone as soon as it changes.

Construction Products Regulation CPR (EU) no 305/2011

In order to guarantee the free trade of construction products, the European Commission has issued the Construction Products Regulation (EU) No 305/2011.

Wall coverings and wall-to-wall carpeting, laminate and resilient floor coverings are considered materials intended for construction and have to comply with the fundamental regulations during an economically relevant lifetime and provided regular maintenance is carried out.

The fundamental regulations include six aspects:

  • mechanical strength and stability
  • fire safety
  • hygiene, health and environment
  • safety of use
  • sound nuisance
  • energy savings and heat retention

On 30 March 2022, the European Commission published a draft of the revised Construction Products Regulation (CPR). This revision aims to simplify the rules for construction products on the EU market. The proposal was announced as part of the circular economy package.

read more

Notified Body #0493

EN 14041 Resilient, textile and laminate floor coverings
EN 15102 Wall coverings (roll and panel form products)

Application fields

In this framework Centexbel offers the following tests:

  • CEN/TS 16516 Construction products - Evaluation of the release of hazardous substances - Determination of emissions to indoor air 
  • EN ISO 11925-2 Reaction to fire tests — Ignitability of products subjected to direct impingement of flame — Part 2: Single-flame source test 
  • EN ISO 9239-1 Reaction to fire tests for floorings — Part 1: Determination of the burning behaviour using a radiant heat source

Selected testhouse of IGI

There is a common desire for some kind of assurance that the goods we buy are “safe”, not only for ourselves but for the environment as a whole.
IGI, the global wallcoverings association, is determined that rolls of wallcoverings should be governed by a system of control that will ensure they do not cause any problems for the consumer or the world at large. IGI has therefore established the ground rules for a quality assurance system that is applicable worldwide. IGI proposes to act as the monitoring body for the award of a distinctive symbol that can be used on rolls and packaging to indicate that the product conforms to these rules.

Product Categories:

  1. Wallpaper - simplex (including whites for subsequent decoration)
  2. Wallpaper - duplex (including whites for subsequent decoration)
  3. Solid Vinyl - paper-backed
  4. Solid Vinyl - other backing
  5. Blown Vinyl - chemically or mechanically embossed
  6. Textile Wallcoverings
  7. Woodchip
  8. Non Woven - direct printed or coated & printed
  9. Non Woven - backed solid vinyl
  10. Non Woven - backed blown vinyl

Rules of the IGI Quality Mark

A Company may be awarded the IGI Quality Mark if both conditions below are fulfilled:

  1. It has submitted a formal statement to IGI that its product conforms to the CEN Standards :
    • EN 233:1999
    • EN 234: 1996
    • EN 259-1: 2001
    • EN 266: 1991
  2. It has properly selected its sample to be tested in the appropriate category, submitted it to the IGI Secretariat for testing and approval as complying with the CEN tests listed above, plus other tests specified here by IGI

CEN Standards Definitions

EN 233: 1999: Wallcoverings in roll form – Specification for finished wallpapers, wall vinyls and plastic wallcoverings
EN 234: 1996: Wallcoverings in roll form – Specification for wallcoverings for subsequent decoration
EN 259-1:2001: Wallcoverings in roll form – Specification for heavy duty wallcoverings
EN 266:1991: Wallcoverings in roll form – Specification for textile wallcoverings


Composition Limits

A. Formaldehyde:

  • 12mg/100gr (≤ 0.05 ppm) of wallcovering measured in accordance with test C of EN 12149, using either the German modified WK1 Water Bottle Test.

B. Heavy Metals:

The migration of heavy metals measured in mg/kg of wallcovering in accordance with test A of EN 12149 shall not exceed the following values:

  • Antimony: 20 mg/kg    
  • Arsenic: 3 mg/kg    
  • Barium: 500 mg/kg    
  • Cadmium: 3 mg/kg    
  • Chromium (VI): 20 mg/kg    
  • Lead: 20 mg/kg    
  • Mercuty: 20 mg/kg    
  • Selenium: ≤10 mg/kg

C. Vinyl Chloride:

  • < 0.2 mg/kg of wallcovering measured in accordance with test B of EN 12149, using the German S35 LMBG 80.32-1 (EG).

Other Tests

Dry Tear Strength

Level: Minimum 450 mN when measured in both Machine Direction (MD) and Cross Direction (CD)
Test Method : ISO 1974:1990 – Determination of internal tearing resistance of paper.

National Indoor air emission limits

France requires wallcoverings to be labeled indicating formaldehyde and VOC emissions for new product from 1 January 2012 and existing product from 1 September 2013. Germany is expected to have similar requirements in 2014. Belgium is drafting a similar requirement (Operation date not known). If your product has been tested or self declared to comply with these national requirements this may be declared on the IGI Quality Mark Certificate.

Note : Reference to this clause will only appear on the IGI Quality Mark Certificate if compliance is claimed.

The IGI Quality Board will be the contact with the selected test house :

Centexbel
Technologiepark 7
BE 9052 Zwijnaarde - Belgium

IGI - the Global Wallcoverings Association

IGI is a world-wide not-for-profit organisation dedicated to increasing the ability of wallcovering industry members to solve their business problems by providing a forum for discussion, disseminating information, and representing the industry before government and standards bodies.
Founded in 1950 and headquartered in Belgium, the members of IGI represent the main players of the wallcovering industry - manufacturers and suppliers - active in the five continents of the world.
IGI is recognised as a valuable, comprehensive and authoritative information source on the wallcovering industry.

Contact:

IGI Secretariat
Grensstraat 7
1831 Diegem - Belgium
Phone + 32 720 00 09
Fax + 32 720 02 10
info@igiwallcoverings.org