Timber Development UK has reminded members that timber businesses are being contacted by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) to verify regulation compliance on how flame-retardant (FR) treated wood products are being placed on the market.
The OPSS, the UK Construction Products Regulator, is highlighting the Declaration of Performance (DoP) required to support flame retardant treated wood products when they are placed on the market.
TDUK says businesses sending a wood product to a treatment plant for FR treatment to be able to make an additional claim about its performance must legally take on the responsibilities as the manufacturer of the product – this includes producing a new DoP.
Legal obligations include producing a DoP, affixing the correct CE or UKCA marking, and maintaining a certified Factory Production Control (FPC) system.
Before placing FR treated wood products on the market and in partnership with the treatment provider, a valid fire test classification report must be obtained from a Notified (EU) or Approved (UK) Body. This will include all of the product’s description and forms the basis of a DoP.
The Wood Protection Association (WPA) – in collaboration with TDUK– has produced a set of detailed FR guidance notes covering roles and responsibilities of the supplier and treater. Guidance note WPA DR 9 is available here.
