The British Approvals Service for Cables (BASEC) has launched a large-scale vertical ladder fire test to ascertain compliance with Construction Products Regulation (CPR), EN 50399 and all vertical ladder tests relating to IEC 60332-3-21/25.Coming less than a month after the EU’s launch of CPR for cables used in construction the new vertical ladder fire tests will be conducted in three brand-new reconfigurable fire test chambers for fire resistance and circuit integrity testing.
BASEC, Europe’s largest dedicated cable-testing facility and a world-leading cable test and certification body.
The introduction of cables CPR will affect all construction cable manufacturers, importers and distributors supplying any cable designed to fit permanently into the structure of a building, including power distribution, final circuit wiring, control and instrumentation and data communications cables (copper and optical) to European markets.
Wholesalers, distributors and manufacturers will be faced with a substantial administration task to comply with CPR. “ BASEC CEO Dr Jeremy Hodge
The new regulation demands new cable testing and certification as well as CE marking requirements for cable suppliers. Imposing a strict deadline it is forcing the international cable industry to review its policies to ensure compliance when the regulation becomes mandatory in July 2017.
Cable manufacturers will in most cases need to work with a Notified Laboratory and/or a Notified Product Certification Body. Cable wholesalers and distributors that supply European markets are also advise to check that their partner manufacturers have done the same.
BASEC CEO Dr Jeremy Hodge said: “Wholesalers, distributors and manufacturers will be faced with a substantial administration task to comply with CPR. With a range of cables to deal with, and possibly 3-4 suppliers for each cable, they will need to check that each product complies to the regulation before it can be sold.
“Customers will be expecting comprehensive information, and it will be enforced by Trading Standards, so there are clear incentives to become well organised early.”
Also harmonising rules for how construction products are marketed in the EU, the new regulation has implications for installers too.
The spectre of Britain’s potential departure from the single market adds considerable uncertainty.
“As a result of the UK’s referendum result to leave the European Union, there will be at least two years while exit terms are discussed between the remaining EU member countries and the UK”, said Dr Hodge. “CPR will still apply to all construction cable sales in the EU, and in the UK up until the point a decision is made.
“Future requirements will largely depend on the UK membership of the Single Market or the European Economic Area (EEA).
“While the UK Government makes arrangements for its withdrawal from the EU, cable manufacturers should be aware that the deadline for complying with CPR falls within 12 months of today.”
Dr Hodge also advises suppliers “to be aware that specifiers may adopt the CPR classifications for their projects irrespective of statutory requirements for CE marking, and enforce this through contractual arrangements.”
BASEC is offering CPR training seminars across the UK, Europe, Asia and Middle East on how cable manufacturers, importers and distributors can comply with the regulation.
“Our advice is to initiate preparatory activity now,” said Dr Hodge. “A year is a very short period of time for the introduction of such a significant regulation into company processes and it is important they are ready for enquiries and instructions from their customers.”
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