Truss rafter manufacturers who CE mark their trusses will have a market advantage over those that don’t according to BM TRADA Certification.
However, Mark Wilkinson, who heads up BM TRADA‘s CE marking team, believes some truss rafter manufacturers may be under a misapprehension about what is actually required.
He said: “While it is true that manufacturers must have in place a factory production control system conforming to the requirements of ISO 9001:2000 and that is also specific to the requirements of the truss rafter standard BS EN 14250, this in itself is not enough to allow CE marking, as some believe.”
Mr Wilkinson said there is a third step, which involves applying to a Notified Body, such as BM TRADA, for a Certificate of Conformity. “Without this, manufacturers may not CE mark their trusses,” he said.
He stressed that although CE marking is not compulsory for truss rafters in the UK, other construction products will carry the CE mark and added: “In our view, it is likely that specifiers, particularly within government and local authority departments, are going to ask for CE marked products. Those manufacturers who do CE mark their trusses will have a market advantage.”
Mr Wilkinson said companies will not find it difficult to take the final step as those working to BS EN 14250:2004 will already have the necessary initial type test evidence to submit with their application for a Certificate of Conformity.
