Do Tiles Need A CE Certification?
To ensure safety of use for a particular product the structure of the European Union requires that a lot of goods have a CE marking. To pass the building standards, tiles need a CE marking to pass.
The European Union, as part of a quality control drive has created a rule that all building materials must obey the standards referred to in the directive in order to be safe. These safety measures proclaim that the products must fulfil certain requirements when they are incorporated, applied or assembled while constructing a building structure. All construction material are said to be fit for CE rating if they meet certain requirements such as –
Stability and mechanical resistance
Guarding yourself against fires
Environment friendly
Safe for health and hygiene
The absorption of sound
Heat retention
Therefore all ceramic tiles entering the EFTA and the European Union market today must bear a CE marking and this rule became operational on 1 March 2006. The importance of certification is second to none; it’s in your own interest as this proves the tiles are suitable for use and do not pose any risks to your health. On the list, there are all kinds of tiles included, such as wall, floor polished and glazed. Tiles are given a number of tests in order to be CE compliant and they are rated accordingly against such things as; water resistance, external pressures and the level of heat they can withstand. This is all part and parcel along with many other checks to ascertain their safety features.
There are two ways in which a product can be attested for CE marking. Firstly an approved certification body can test and certify that the product conforms to the European standards and secondly a declaration by the manufacturer can also confirm that it is suitable as per the requirements of the European construction directives. The product, in this case tiles, should bear a mark clearing it’s safety once the manufacturer has certified it.
Sound absorption is measured in terms of aw value that is calculated as per the EN ISO 11654 while the product standard depends on the EN ISO 354. Fire safety of a product is checked in relation to the EN 13501-1 while the discharge of formaldehyde relies on the EN 717-1 with tests showing either an E1 or E2 rating. Products with an E1 rating are considered to be of high quality as they give out a very low percentage of formaldehyde. The durability is reflected by its quality to resist all kinds of external pressures such as heat, humidity, water corrosion and excessive load.
Once the tiles have passed these tests as being compliant with the Construction Product Directive or CPD 89/106/EEC and meet the European standard for tiles EN 14411, they are declared fit for use and can freely be distributed in the European markets from where they can reach general consumers and building constructors. When we see the CE marking on the tiles, we are sure that they have been checked for safety and are ready for use.
So rest assured, whether you are choosing bathroom tiles or tiles for your kitchen floor they would have passed these rigourous tests.