Reports of ITeC EOTA Office - Report sections

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Upcoming meetings:

  • General Assembly of EOTA, Brussels, 22 April 2021 (*)
  • Technical Board No. 32, Brussels, 9 and 10 June 2021 (*)
  • Technical Board No. 33, Brussels, 21 and 22 September 2021 (*)
  • Technical Board No. 34, Brussels, 30 November/01 December 2021 (*)
(*) Face to face meetings could be cancelled by coronavirus health crisis. In such case, they will be done remotely instead.
15/03/2021|

What is the content of an EAD?

An EAD is structured in four main chapters subdivided in clauses and annexes. The following points summarise the content provided for each one:

Chapter 1 – Scope of the EAD

This chapter describes the product and the intended use for which the EAD applies. Products or intended uses that have not been specifically considered are excluded unless they could be considered as an extension of the EAD scope according to agreed EOTA internal procedures (see Report no. 23).

Clause 1.1 – Description of the construction product

This clause gives specific information on:

– Description of the product covered by the EAD and, when relevant, description on the material, form, and geometric characteristics. In case

15/03/2021|

Review of the CPR, where we are now

The possible review of the Construction Products Regulation (CPR) was announced for the first time at the end of 2016 in the communication Clean Energy for all Europeans, only three years after the CPR fully came into force in July 2013.

During 2018, the European Commission launched the first Public Consultation for gathering experiences, views, and opinions of interested stakeholders and the public on the internal market for construction products. The results of this consultation were published in October 2019.

This CPR review process was confirmed by the European Green deal at the end of 2019 and by the Circular Economy action plan at the beginning of 2020.

In 2020 the European

15/03/2021|

ITeC and Working Groups for 2nd step ETAGs conversion

During 2020, four projects have been initiated (called 2nd step ETAGs conversion) for improving the initial EAD version -00- obtained from ETAG conversions. This conversion basically focusses on the topics identified as leftovers in the 1st step works and should be finished at EOTA level in one year.

ITeC actively participates in three of these four projects, one as the leader (Convenor) and, in the other two, as a working group member. The projects are:

  • 2nd step ETAG 034 conversion project for façade cladding kits mechanically fixed.

EAD 090062-00-0404 “Kits for external wall claddings mechanically fixed”, result of the 1st step ETAG 034 conversion, was cited in the OJEU, dated on 16.11.2018 by means of the Communication

Elaboration of ETAs

Between 07.11.2020 and 05.03.2021, ITeC issued eight ETA and has forty-five in process. The issued ETAs correspond to the following five EAD (see EOTA website, “Our Publications”).

  • EAD 030350-00-0402 Liquid applied roof waterproofing kits
    • ETA 18/0296 MasterSeal Roof 2111, from BASF COATINGS GmbH
  • EAD 090034-00-0404 kit composed by subframe and fixings for fastening cladding and external wall elements
    • ETA 20/0805 Kit FTS 501A, from LOUVELIA FAÇADE SOLUTIONS SL
    • ETA 20/0946 Kits FTS 502B and FTS 502B+, from LOUVELIA FAÇADE SOLUTIONS SL
  • EAD 200059-00-0302 steel components for pallet racking systems
    • ETA 20/1333 of adjustable shelves system for MECALUX palletised load, from MECALUX SA
  • EAD 350140-00-1106 renderings and rendering kits intended for fire resistant applications
    • ETA 13/0221 Igniplaster®,
15/03/2021|

Elaboration of EADs

ITeC has fifteen EAD cited in the OJEU.

At present, it is working on sixteen more EAD, three of which are EAD amendments:

  • four have been sent to the Commission for the publication phase.
  • six have already been adopted by EOTA and the corresponding ETA is now under preparation
  • the remaining six are in different stages of elaboration

Note: the three conversion works from the ETAGs to EAD led or co-led by ITeC, ETAG 017, ETAG 028 and ETAG 034, (see Report No. 25) are included among the fifteen EAD already cited.

15/03/2021|

EADs cited in the OJEU

At the Technical Board meeting in the beginning of March 2021, Commission representatives present in the meeting announced that the next batch for citation of EADs in the OJEU points to June 2021.

All the cited EAD can be consulted on the EOTA website (www.eota.eu), under the heading “Our Publications”.

15/03/2021|

Conversion of ETA Guidelines – ETAGs – in progress or pending publication

EADs of the three last ETAGs in conversion process are still in the publication phase. We expect they will be cited in the next batch.

EADs pending publication:

  • EAD on structural sealant glazing systems (conversion from ETAG 002 parts 1 and 3).
  • EAD on non-loadbearing permanent shuttering systems based on hollow blocks or panels of insulating materials and concrete (conversion from ETAG 009).
  • EAD on plastic anchors (conversion from ETAG 020).
15/03/2021|

Consideration about ETAs issued by UK TABs after December 31st

ETAs which have been issued by UK TABs have lost their validity from 1st January 2021 and cannot be used anymore to draw up a DoP and for the CE marking of the related products.

Therefore, the manufacturer should request a new ETA to be issued by a TAB designated by an EU-27 Member State.

For this special case, EOTA has prepared some procedures and conditions to speed up the new ETAs issuing for those products for which the ETA is no longer valid after Brexit.

15/03/2021|

The ETA route is an integral part of the CPR acquis

Before leaving the EOTA presidency, Mr. Karsten Kathage (DIBt, Germany), has looked back and to the future in an article published by EOTA (see EOTA news).

From this article, some important (although not always known) aspects of EOTA and the ETA route deserve to be highlighted:

“EOTA has always been about cooperation, technical excellence, mutual trust and working together for the success of the valuable European Technical Assessment (ETA) route.”

“While it is worth scrutinizing how we can make the European legal framework more effective and develop it further, it seems just as important to preserve, maintain and keep up-to-date the CPR acquis.”

“… the ETA route itself is a major CPR achievement and an integral part of this acquis. The

15/03/2021|

New EOTA president

During the EOTA 17th General Assembly meeting on 10th December 2020, Sebastian Wall was appointed as the new President of EOTA.

Sebastian, Director Plenipotentiary for Competitiveness Strategy at the Polish Technical Assessment Body Instytut Techniki Budowlanej (ITB), is well-known and highly regarded inside EOTA. He has contributed widely to EOTA work since 2013, serving, amongst others, as Treasurer and member of the Financial Working Group and of the Executive Board. Sebastian takes over from Karsten Kathage, Vice President of the German TAB DIBt, who, after having completed the statutory maximum of four years in office, passed on the baton to a trusted successor.

For more information, see EOTA news

15/03/2021|

Upcoming meetings

  • General Assembly of EOTA, Brussels, 10 December 2020 (*)
  • Technical Board No. 30, Brussels, 15 and 16 December 2020 (*)
(*) Face to face meetings cancelled by coronavirus health crisis. They will be substituted by videoconference meetings.
09/11/2020|

Held between 13 July and 9 November 2020

  • Technical Board No. 29, 22 and 23 September 2020 (*).
(*) Face-to-face meetings cancelled by coronavirus health crisis. Instead, alternative actions are carried out, such as written consultations, reduced meetings through videoconference, informative actions, depending on the nature of the topics to be dealt with.
09/11/2020|

Are there EADs on products for refurbishment works?

Some EAD on specific products for refurbishment works are beginning to emerge, however, there are still a few, e.g. EAD 340392-00-0104 CRM (Composite Reinforced Mortar) Systems for strengthening concrete and masonry structures.

In general, most of the construction products may be used both in new and refurbishment buildings, although in most cases the EAD does not specify both uses.

Some examples where both uses are specified are products and systems for thermal insulation improvement ETICs (EAD 040083-00-0404, EAD 040287-00-0404, EAD 040427-00-0404, etc.), façade rendering systems and products (EAD 090062-00-0404, EAD 0900119-00-0404, etc.) or fire protection mortars (EAD 350140-00-1106).

09/11/2020|

Elaboration of ETAs

Between 04.07.2020 and 06.11.2020, ITeC issued twelve ETA and has forty in process. The issued ETAs correspond to the following six EAD and three ETAG (see EOTA website, “Our Publications”).

  • EAD 040089-00-0404, of External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems with renderings for the use on timber frame buildings
    • ETA 19/0605 PRB THERMOBOIS COB, from PRB SA
  • EAD 040287-00-0404, of kits for external thermal insulation composite system (ETICS) with panels as thermal insulation and discontinuous claddings as exterior skin
    • ETA 20/0246 Baumit CeramicSystem EPS, Baumit CeramicSystem MW, from BAUMIT BETEILIGUNGEN GMBH
  • EAD 090062-00-0404, of kits for external wall claddings mechanically fixed
    • ETA 14/0413 Dekton®, from COSENTINO SAU
  • EAD 340452-00-0204, of building kit based on massive panels with metal frame
09/11/2020|

Elaboration of EADs

ITeC has twelve EAD published in the OJEU.
At present, it is working on a further fifteen EAD, three of which are EAD amendments:

  • three have been sent to the Commission for the publication phase.
  • three have already been adopted by EOTA and the corresponding ETA is now under preparation
  • the remaining nine are at different stages of elaboration

Note: the conversion works from the ETAGs to EAD indicated in the first item of this section, are not considered.

09/11/2020|

Conversion of ETA Guidelines – ETAGs – to EAD led by ITeC

  • Conversion from the ETA Guideline for fire retardant products (ETAG 028)

EAD 350865-00-1106 “Fire retardant products”: reference published in the OJEU, dated on 29.10.2020, by means of the Communication 2020/L 359/13. The full text can be consulted in the section “Our Publications” of the EOTA website.

This EAD covers paints and varnishes, intumescent paints, encapsulation coating systems and surface treatments to improve the protected surfaces reaction to fire, as ETAG 028 did, now substituted by this EAD.

  • Conversion from the ETA Guideline on prefabricated units for external wall insulation (ETAG 017)

EAD 040914-00-0404 “Veture kits – Prefabricated units for external wall insulation and their

09/11/2020|

EADs publication in the OJEU

During this period, the Commission Implementing Decision 2020/1574 has been published in the Official Journal of the European Union-OJEU, on 29.10.2020.

EAD reference EAD title Superseded document
030219-00-0501 Acoustic spray coating based on a water-based organic binder
030350-00-0402 Liquid applied roof waterproofing kits ETAG 005
030352-00-0503 Liquid applied watertight covering kits for wet room floors and/or walls ETAG 022-1
030378-00-0605 Fully bonded, pre-applied flexible sheet for waterproofing
030436-00-0503 Watertight covering kits based on flexible sheets for wet room floors and/or walls ETAG 022-2
030437-00-0503 Watertight covering kits based on inherently watertight boards for wet room floors and/or walls ETAG 022-3
040083-00-0404 External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems (ETICS) with renderings ETAG 004
040419-00-1201 Thermal insulation board made of pressed rigid polyurethane foam
040914-00-0404 Veture kits –

09/11/2020|

Conversion of ETA Guidelines – ETAGs – in progress or pending publication

EADs of the three last ETAG in conversion progress are at the publication phase. We hope that they will be published shortly.

EADs pending publication:

  • EAD on structural sealant glazing systems (conversion from ETAG 002 parts 1 and 3).
  • EAD on non-loadbearing permanent shuttering systems based on hollow blocks or panels of insulating materials and concrete (conversion from ETAG 009).
  • EAD on plastic anchors (conversion from ETAG 020).
09/11/2020|

Conversion of ETA Guidelines – ETAGs – with the EAD published

With the publication of the additional EADs of nine ETA Guidelines (ETAGs), there are thirty-seven EAD published based on ETAGs, of which the modification of two has already been published (EAD 330196-01-0604 and EAD 330499-01-0601).

All published EADs can be consulted on the EOTA website under the heading ‘Our Publications’.

With this publication the conversion of 90% of ETAGs (for which the conversion has been initiated) is covered. At present, the publication of the last three EAD on the Official Journal of the European Union OJEU is pending (ETAG 002, ETAG 009 and ETAG 020), see next section of this Report.

09/11/2020|

Change at the head of ITeC’s EOTA Office

Since October 31, Santiago del Pozo is no longer in charge of ITeC’s EOTA Office as he has retired at his retiring age. From November 1 on, María Bento is leading this Office.

Santiago devoted himself to European tasks related to EOTA activity for 23 years, holding different positions in this organisation, coordinating ITeC’s experts works in the institute, providing support to the ETAs and EADs writers, and writing all the previous EOTA Reports.

Santiago, we wish you all the best for the future.

Comment from Santiago
It has been a pleasure for me to develop ITeC’s EOTA Office activities, including the Reports published since 31 May 2014. I want to thank all the people who helped and participated.

09/11/2020|

30 years of EOTA on the side of the construction industry

On October 9, the European Organisation for Technical Assessment (EOTA) celebrated 30 years of service to the construction sector.

On this anniversary, EOTA published on its website an article debating both on the way travelled and future challenges. This article was written by one of the main authors of the EOTA launch, Mr. Paul Caluwaerts, Secretary General of EOTA from 1992 until 2012.

For more information, see EOTA news.

This is the moment to think about the way travelled during this time in which multiple challenges have been met, thanks to the collaboration of EOTA members to reach consensus in a multidisciplinary context keeping an eye on industry needs in a construction sector undergoing constant change.

09/11/2020|

Publication of the study on the EADs and ETAs added value, developed by CSIL

Report No. 23 dealt with the study EADs and ETAs: Added value to the construction sector by an independent body –CSIL- Centre for industrial Studies-, at the request of EOTA.

On September 21, EOTA published the final result of this study. The summary and the complete version can be downloaded from the EOTA website.

For more information, see EOTA news.

The objective of this study is to completely analyse the EOTA reality, as well as to clarify some points mentioned by the Commission in its report on EOTA, in November 2019.

The study is summarised in a total of 10 key points and 6 recommendations. The following

09/11/2020|

EOTA open letter on the European Technical Assessment-ETA in the Construction Products Regulation revision

EOTA published an open letter directed to the interested parties -mainly manufacturers and associations-, in which it expresses its concerns about the radical changes proposed by the European Commission for the Regulation revision and compiled in the document Refined Indicative Options for the Review of the Construction Products Regulation of 8 April 2020 (see here), and on its impact on the ETA route.

For more information, see EOTA news

This letter follows the initiative undertaken by the Spanish bodies which in the previous July sent an open letter to the Internal Market Commissioner, Sr Thierry Breton (see Report No. 24).

The interruption of the ETA route would remove the present

09/11/2020|

Public consultation started by the Commission on the Construction Products Regulation revision

After compiling the opinions of the construction sector stakeholders’ representatives in the surveys:

  • for the initial impact assessment (see received comments here), and
  • on the options for the Regulation revision (see results here),

at the beginning of September, the European Commission started a public consultation on the Construction Products Regulation (UE) 305/2011 revision. This consultation is open until 25 December 2020.

The consultation offers to all interested parties and users the opportunity to contribute to a possible Construction Products Regulation review. Its experience and perceptions will help to define the base line, evaluating the possible options for the future, and identifying the best way to be followed.

Access the questionnaire in English,

Upcoming meetings

  • Technical Board No. 29, 22 and 23 September 2020 (*)
  • General Assembly of EOTA, Brussels, 10 December 2020
  • Technical Board No. 30, Brussels, 15 and 16 December 2020
(*) Face-to-face meeting cancelled by coronavirus health crisis. Instead, alternative actions are carried out, such as written consultations, reduced meetings through WebEx, informative actions, depending on the nature of the topics to be dealt with.
13/07/2020|

Held between 13 May and 13 July 2020

  • Technical Board No. 28, Brussels, 10 and 11 June 2020 (*)
(*) Face-to-face meeting cancelled by coronavirus health crisis. Instead, alternative actions are carried out, such as written consultations, reduced meetings through WebEx, informative actions, depending on the nature of the topics to be dealt with.
13/07/2020|

What is the characteristic propensity to undergo continuous smouldering?

This is a new essential characteristic that must be considered in Basic Requirement 2 Security in case of fire, in the Construction Products Regulation framework. It is a characteristic related to reaction to fire of the products classified according to EN 13501-1.

It is based on a phenomenon characteristic of some materials, whose composition could favour that, when exposed to fire and in certain conditions, a continuous smouldering without visible flame, at a relatively low temperature, moves through the body of the material.

This could result in secondary fire focuses. In numerous cases, fires apparently extinct have had re-ignitions due to these latent energy focuses, which remained masked because no flame was developed.

The continuous smouldering can happen, typically, in products or components

13/07/2020|

Elaboration of ETAs

Between 05.05.2020 and 08.07.2020, ITeC issued three ETA and has forty-six in process. The issued ETAs correspond to the following three EAD (see EOTA website, “Our Publications” section).

  • EAD 230145-00-0105, on compound for bitumen and bituminous mixtures made of crumb rubber powder
    • ETA 20/0377 RARX®, from CÍRCULO TECNOLÓGICO 2020 SL
  • EAD 350140-00-1106, on renderings and rendering kits intended for fire resistant applications
    • ETA 18/0456 Perliwool® from MINERAL FIBER SOLUTIONS SL
  • EAD 360001-01-0803, on ventilation systems made of mineral wool with facings on outside and inside
    • ETA 20/122 CLIMAVER® HVAC duct system from SAINT-GOBAIN ISOVER
13/07/2020|

Elaboration of EADs

In addition to EAD 090062-00-0404, ITeC has twelve EAD published in the OJEU and is currently working on a further fifteen, three of which are EAD amendments:

  • two have been sent to the Commission for the publication phase
  • four have already been adopted by EOTA and the corresponding ETA is now under preparation
  • the remaining nine are at different stages of elaboration

Note: at this point, the conversion works from the ETA Guidelines to EAD indicated in the first item of this section, are not considered.

13/07/2020|

Conversion of ETA Guidelines to EAD led by ITeC

  • Conversion from the ETA Guideline for fire retardant products (ETAG 028)

    After considering the Commission’s comments, the revised EAD was sent to the Commission for publication on 18 December 2019.

  • Conversion from the ETA Guideline on prefabricated units for external wall insulation (ETAG 017) – work led by CSTB-ITeC:

    As yet not published. Sent to the Commission for the final review on 5 June.

    Regarding the second phase of this Guideline conversion, an initial meeting was held on 13 May (kick-off meeting) by videoconference, with ITeC’s participation.

  • Conversion of the ETA Guideline for façade cladding kits (ETAG 034)

    EAD 090062-00-0404 “Kits for external wall claddings mechanically fixed”: reference published in the OJEU, dated on 16.11.2018, by

13/07/2020|

EADs publication in the OJEU

In this period, the Commission Implementing Decision 2019/962 has been published in the Official Journal of the European Union-OJEU, on 03.07.2020.

EAD reference EAD title Superseded document
030400-00-0605 Waterproofing kit based on polymeric membranes for in- and outdoor walls and floors of wet areas and swimming pools
040465-00-0404 ETICS with renderings on mono-layer or multi-layer made of timber
040729-00-1201 Thermal insulation made of loose fill mineral wool
041389-00-1201 Boards made of agglomerated natural cork for thermal and acoustic insulation
130186-00-0603 Three-dimensional nailing plates ETAG 015
130118-01-0603 Screws and threaded rods for use in timber constructions 130118-00-0603
130287-00-0603 Profiled aluminium nail for use in timber structures
130308-00-0304 Structural composite lumber product: Laminated Strand Lumber (LSL)
130336-00-0603 Point connector – Dovetail made of polywood for cross laminated timber
130367-00-0304 Composite wood-based beams and columns ETAG 011
160055-00-0301 Lattice girders

13/07/2020|

Conversion of ETA Guidelines in progress or pending publication

At the Technical Board meeting no. 28 the current status of the twelve conversions presently in progress was informed.

As indicated in previous Reports four different basic phases can be distinguished in the conversion process from the ETA Guidelines to EAD:

1st Elaboration and adoption by the working group;
2nd Adoption by EOTA – by the designated bodies;
3rd Comments of the Commission – including their consideration;
4th Publication – this may also include the comments of the Commission, in the final review of the EADs;

At this moment, all conversions are at the fourth phase.

Detailed situation of the conversions:

  • EAD on structural sealant glazing systems (conversion from ETA Guideline 002 parts 1 and 3): comments received from the Commission
13/07/2020|

Conversion of ETA Guidelines with the EAD published

With the publication of EADs 130186 and 130367, there are twenty EAD published based on ETA Guidelines, of which the modification of one has already been published.

Published EAD relation:

  • EAD 030351-00-0402, for systems of mechanically fastened flexible roof waterproofing sheets (conversion from ETA Guideline 006): published in the OJEU, on 29.05.2019.
  • EAD 090062-00-0404, for kits for external wall claddings mechanically fixed (conversion from ETA Guideline 034 parts 1 and 2): published in the OJEU, on 16.11.2018.
  • EAD 130186-00-0603, for three-dimensional nailing plates (conversion from ETA Guideline 015): published in the OJEU, on 03.07.2020.
  • EAD 130367-00-0304, for composite wood-based beams and columns (conversion from ETA Guidelines 011): published on 03.07.2020.
  • EADs 160004-00-0301 and 160027-00-0301, for kits of post-tensioning systems for prestressing of
13/07/2020|

Letter to Commissioner Breton from the European Commission to support the ETA route in the revision of the Regulation

Eleven Spanish organisations have written to the Internal Market Commissioner, Mr. Thierry Breton, to request the maintenance of the ETA (European Technical Assessment) route in the Construction Products Regulation revision.

The Commission initiated the Regulation revision process, for which it is considering possible options and consulting the stakeholders of the sector.

The ETA route enables the CE marking of products which cannot take advantage of a harmonised standard. Currently, there are more than 8.000 issued ETA in Europe, for around to 2.700 manufacturers, both SMEs and large enterprises.

This route facilitates improvement and innovation in construction products, as well as their access to the European market. It is, therefore, a key instrument for a wide, complete, and accessible European construction products

13/07/2020|

European Commission’s survey for the inception impact assessment of the Regulation revision

In mid-June, the Commission launched this survey for an inception impact assessment of the Regulation revision on the objectives and options that the Commission is considering. This consultation is addressed to the construction sector stakeholders. Deadline is on 19 August.

With this consultation, the official process of the Regulation revision is initiated. During summer, the Commission has planned to carry out a public survey.

Prior to the survey for the inception impact assessment, the Commission launched a survey on the options for the Regulation revision, also addressed to the stakeholders’ representatives, with deadline on 30 August.

There are then two open surveys for the Regulation revision: one to assess the possible changes and another to assess their impact.

On the basis of the Commission’s Reports

13/07/2020|

Upcoming meetings:

  • Technical Board No. 28, Brussels, 10 and 11 June 2020 (*)
  • Technical Board No. 29, 22 and 23 September 2020 (place to be defined)
  • General Assembly of EOTA, Brussels, 10 December 2020
  • Technical Board No. 30, Brussels, 15 and 16 December 2020
(*) Face-to-face meetings cancelled by coronavirus health crisis. Instead, alternative actions are carried out, such as written consultations, reduced meetings through WebEx, informative actions, depending on the nature of the topics to be dealt with.
12/05/2020|

Held between 21 December 2019 and 12 May 2020

  • Technical Board No. 27, Brussels, 11 and 12 March 2020 (*)
  • General Assembly of EOTA, Brussels, 29 April 2020 (*)
(*) Face-to-face meetings cancelled by coronavirus health crisis. Instead, alternative actions are carried out, such as written consultations, reduced meetings through WebEx, informative actions, depending on the nature of the topics to be dealt with.
12/05/2020|

Are there EADs on products for civil engineering works?

A significant number of European Assessment Documents (EAD) published in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) cover products for building construction. However, a 15% of the EADs published cover products for civil engineering. Such a percentage may seem insignificant, but this is not the case of the products dealt with in these EAD.

ITeC EOTA Office has drawn the article “Products for civil engineering works in the European Assessment Documents”, which gives an overview of these products, describing their applications, including images which describe them as well as observations on relevant aspects.

12/05/2020|