What is the Construction Products Directive (CPD) and how does it relate to CE marking?

The CPD aims to break down technical barriers to trade in construction products between Member States in the European Economic Area (EEA). To achieve this the CPD provides for the following four main elements:

• a system of harmonised technical specifications (hEN)
• an agreed system of attestation of conformity for each product family
• a framework of notified bodies
• the CE marking of products.

The Directive does not aim to harmonise regulations: Member States and public and private sector procurers are free to set their own requirements on the performance of works and therefore products. What the CPD harmonises are the methods of test, the methods of declaration of product performance values, and the method of conformity assessment. Choice of required values for the chosen intended use(s) is left to the regulators in each Member State.