< Previousbmta.co.uk END OF BREXIT TRANSITION – AN ACCREDITATION PERSPECTIVE By Paul Greenwood, Operations Director, UKAS Since the triggering of Article 50 on March 29, 2017, UKAS has been working to ensure that those within Government dealing with Brexit are aware of the importance of accreditation to the national economy, and also to trade with the EU and internationally. Regular meetings have been - and continue to be - held with Ministers and officials in the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and the Department for International Trade (DIT). The perspective for accredited Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) In December 2020 the EU and the UK reached an agreement in principle on the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). This Agreement includes a Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Chapter which addresses regulatory barriers to trade between the UK and EU, while allowing both Parties the freedom to regulate goods in a way that is most appropriate for their own market. This Chapter builds on the WTO TBT agreement and includes provisions on technical regulation, conformity assessment, standardisation, accreditation, market surveillance and marking and labelling. In specific reference to the TCA, and in particular the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Chapter, Article 6 – relevance to accreditation and conformity assessment - Paragraph 3. This paragraph reconfirms the importance of accreditation in demonstrating the technical competence of CABs (e.g. laboratories, inspection bodies and certification bodies) when provided by a non-commercial accreditation body with authority derived from government. To that end, the UK Government has confirmed that UKAS remains the United Kingdom’s “domestic accreditation body” defined as “the sole body in a State that performs accreditation with authority derived from the State”, as laid down in The Accreditation Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/3155). With respect to relevant functioning international agreements or arrangements, UKAS remains a full signatory to the mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) and Multi Lateral Agreements (MLAs) operated by the European cooperation for Accreditation (EA), International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and International Accreditation Forum (IAF). This means that activities performed under UKAS accreditation can be accepted within the EU and globally as technically equivalent to activities accredited by other signatories to the MLAs. Whilst UKAS accreditation for conformity assessment activities that are not linked to EU Regulation or to EU schemes continue to be valid and recognised internationally, UKAS recognises that where European legislation requires accreditation to be delivered by a national accreditation body, in accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 765/2008, Following the UK decision to leave the European Union in 2016, and our subsequent official departure from the trading bloc on 31 January 2020, the UK was in a transitionary period that finally ended at 23:00 on 31 December 2020. 1011 bmta.co.uk the European Commission will no longer accept UKAS accreditation. Therefore, UK-based bodies formally appointed as EU Notified Bodies for the purposes of CE marking will no longer be able to provide valid certificates/ reports for this purpose. Confirmation of the ability of UK and EU CABs to subcontract work to CABs in other territories is important and ensures that UKAS accredited bodies can continue to support Notified Bodies and other conformity assessment bodies operating within the EU. This will be underpinned by the EA, ILAC & IAF MLAs. It is noteworthy that the change in status of recognition of UKAS accreditation is specifically related to work conducted under Regulation (EC) No. 765/2008, it does not relate to activities outside of the regulatory framework. To underline this point UKAS has, for example, received confirmation from DG Environment within the European Commission that our ongoing recognition by EA will be sufficient to ensure the accreditation of ETV Verification Bodies and therefore their activity in the EU Environmental Technology Verification scheme. In relation to Notified Bodies, the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has developed a UK Market Conformity Assessment Bodies (UKMCAB) database which replaces the European Commission’s NANDO database for UK Approved and Notified Bodies. This covers the organisations that have been approved to use the UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) mark which is a new UK product marking that is used for goods being placed on the market in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) and covers most goods which previously required CE marking. Due to the publication of the TCA so close to the transition deadline, the interpretation of some of its clauses are still being discussed and agreed by relevant stakeholders. UKAS is continuing to hold discussions with the UK government and European partners to fully understand the requirements within the TCA and how these are to be implemented, with further communications to be issued by UKAS as this additional information becomes available. The perspective for UKAS as the UK National Accreditation Body (NAB) National status: Throughout the complex negotiations that have taken place since Article 50 was triggered, UK Government has continually supported UKAS as its appointed sole National Accreditation Body following full exit from the EU. UKAS was formally appointed as the United Kingdom’s National Accreditation Body through the Accreditation Regulations 2009 (SI No 3155/2009). This appointment will continue to be the case going forwards, with revision of the SI in order to reflect UK rather than EU legislation. International status: UKAS will remain a member of the European Cooperation for Accreditation (EA) going forwards and, importantly, a full signatory to the EA Multilateral Agreement (MLA). Under this MLA, UKAS accreditation is recognised by other EA MLA signatories as technically equivalent to their own, meaning that reports and certificates issued under UKAS accreditation are still recognised across Europe. The EA has confirmed that UKAS can continue as a full member until 31 January 2022; EA has also agreed to give further consideration to changes to the membership criteria to ensure that UKAS can continue as a member body beyond this date. Globally, UKAS will retain full membership of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and signatory status to their International MRAs and MLAs, which means that all UKAS accredited certificates and reports (with the exception of those related to EU Regulations/Directives and Schemes) shall continue to be recognised not only within Europe but around the world. 11bmta.co.uk EU FTA TRANSITION (UKCA) By Terence Boniface, Assistant Director, Advanced Manufacturing Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy END OF THE UK TRANSITION PERIOD • Placing manufactured goods on the market in Great Britain from 1 January 2021 (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/placing-manufactured-goods-on-the-market-in-great-britain) • Placing manufactured goods on the EU market from 1 January 2021 (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/placing-manufactured-goods-on-the-eu-market) • Using the ukca mark from 1 January 2021 (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/using-the-ukca-marking) • Conformity assessment bodies change of status from 1 January 2021 (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/conformity-assessment-and-accreditation) • The Border Operating Model (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-border-operating-) Placing goods on the GB market - after 1 January 2021 Placing goods on the market - UKCA 1. From the 1 January 2021 the essential requirements and standards that can be used to demonstrate compliance will be the same as they are now. 2. Businesses are encouraged to use the new UKCA mark and regime as soon as possible after 1 January 2021. 3. However, to allow businesses time to adjust, HMG has agreed CE marked goods that meet EU requirements can continue to be placed on the GB market until 1 January 2022 in most cases. 4. If you have already placed your good on the UK or EU market – in circulation- before 1 January 2021, you do not need to do anything. Conformity markings and declarations of conformity 5. From 1 January 2021 products assessed against GB rules by a GB ‘Approved Body’ will need the UKCA marking. 6. If you self-certify or use an EU Notified Body you will still be able to use the CE marking until 1 January 2022 even for goods that are manufactured after 1 January 2021. 7. For 24 months after the 1 January 2021 (until 1 January 2023), for most CE marked goods you have the option to affix the UKCA marking on a label affixed to the product or on an accompanying document. Conformity markings and declarations of conformity 8. You can place the UKCA and CE marking on the same product if it is destined for both the GB and EU markets (so long as the product meets the relevant regulatory requirements for both markets). 9. If you use the UKCA mark you will need to draw up a UK declaration of conformity. This should be available to market surveillance authorities on request. 1213 bmta.co.uk Conformity assessment bodies 10. All UK-based EU ‘notified bodies’ will automatically become UK approved bodies from 1 January 2021 (listed on the EU NANDO database & UKAS website). 11. Manufacturers may require separate UK and EU certificates from 1 January 2021 – businesses are encouraged to arrange for separate certificates well in advance of this date. 12. Outside of any mutual recognition agreement as part of the UK-EU negotiations, mandatory conformity assessments by EU bodies will no longer be recognised in the UK after January 2022. Economic operators 13. From 1 January 2021 all authorised representatives for the GB market must be based in GB or NI. Generally authorised representatives are optional. 14. From 1 January 2020, GB based distributers of EU goods will become importers (and vice-versa). The importer may also need to indicate their name and address on the product or documentation, keep a copy of the declaration of conformity, and ensure the technical documentation can be made available on request. For 24 months from 1 January 2021, for most CE marked goods being placed on the GB market this additional address can go on an accompanying document rather than on the product. Placing goods on the EU market - after 1 January 2021 1. Outside of any potential mutual recognition agreement, from 1 January 2021 conformity assessments by UK notified bodies will no longer be recognised in the EU. Voluntary testing is not impacted. 2. Where legislation currently allows for self-declaration of conformity for the EU market, it will continue to do so at the end of the transition period. The manufacturer can affix the CE marking and draw up the EU Declaration of Conformity. This can be done even when they are not based in the EU. 3. UK-based Authorised Representatives will also no longer be recognised in EU after the 1 January 2021. Although for most CE marked goods Authorised Representatives are optional. 4. Products that have already been placed on the EU27 or UK market before the end of the transition period will not be impacted. 5. From 1 January 2020, EU based distributers of GB goods will also become importers. The importer may also need to indicate their name and address on the product or documentation, keep a copy of the declaration of conformity, and ensure the technical documentation can be made available. 13bmta.co.uk CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT POST BREXIT – PLACING NEW MANUFACTURED PRODUCTS ON THE MARKET IN THE UK, NORTHERN IRELAND AND THE EU AFTER 1 JANUARY 2021 by Jeff Llewellyn, President BMTA, and non-Executive Director, UKAS Since 1 January this year the rules for placing new manufactured products on the market in the UK, Northern Ireland and the EU have changed. Prior to this date all manufactured products placed on the market anywhere in the UK or EU, which were subject to regulation under 18 different ‘New Approach’ EU Directives (see list below) had to be marked with the CE mark. The CE mark is a ‘Conformity Assessment’ mark which shows that the product complies with specified European (CEN) harmonised performance and safety standards and the ‘essential requirements’ of the relevant Directive. Manufacturers wishing to place their products on the EU market could obtain the CE mark (or more precisely a certificate of conformity which allowed them to put the CE mark on their products) either by self declaration that the product conformed with the relevant standards and requirements, or by having their products tested by an EU recognised ‘Notified Body’ (NB). NBs are in effect EU approved testing and calibration laboratories. Under the new UK-EU Trade Agreement the system has changed and is more complicated. There are three separate circumstances: Placing products on the UK market; placing products on the EU market and placing products on the Northern Ireland market, instead of just one system. These apply to manufacturers wishing to import products into, or export products from the UK in the 18 ‘New Approach’ categories. At the present time the UK regulations implementing the various EU Directives have been re-made under UK law without change but without reference to the EU. Thus the UK regulations do not require changes to test procedures but require conformity to British Standards instead of European ones. As for the most part the British Standards are based on International Standards, as are the CEN Standards, there is little if any technical change. The regulatory changes at the present time are confined to changes in the Conformity Assessment Marking requirements. Placing products on the UK market: Existing products which were CE marked and placed on the market before 31 December 2020 do not need to be re- marked. They are not affected by the changes and nothing needs to be done. Stocks of existing products which have been manufactured and CE marked prior to 1 January 2021 and assessed by an EU NB or by the self assessment process but not yet placed on the market can be placed on the UK market until 31 December 2021. There is no need to mark the stock with the UK Conformity Assessment (UKCA) mark as well as the CE mark. From 1 January 2022 the UKCA marking will have to be applied but CE marked products will be allowed on the UK market until 31 December 2022 provided that they are also marked with the UKCA mark. The UKCA mark can either be placed on the product, attached as a separate label or in accompanying documentation. Distributors of CE marked products in the UK will be classified as importers after 1 January 2021. Manufacturers will still be able to use the CE mark to place new products on the market until 31 December 2021, but will have to follow the procedures for CE marking. This is to allow time to gear up for application of the UKCA mark which will become mandatory after 1 January 2022. After that date the CE mark will not be recognised in the UK unless accompanied by a UKCA mark until 31 December 2022 as explained above. Manufacturers are strongly advised to prepare for using the UKCA mark as soon as possible. The process of Conformity Assessment for the UKCA mark is very similar to that for application of the CE mark. The tests to which the product must be subjected and the standards and requirements to be applied are at the present time identical, except that the relevant standards will be British Standards. Where products have previously been CE marked using the self assessment process, self assessment will be permitted for application of the UKCA mark. Otherwise after 1 January 2022 products must be assessed by a UK ‘Approved Body’ (UKAB). The full list of UKABs is available at www.gov.uk/uk-market-conformity-assessment- bodies and on the UKAS website. Manufacturers must The term ‘fourth industrial revolution’, or industry 4.0, is often used to indicate the ongoing automation and integration of traditional manufacturing and industrial practices, using modern technology. The term was introduced in 2015 and was the theme of the 2016 World Economic Forum in Switzerland. Industry 4.0 encapsulates the ongoing digital transformation of business, connecting processes and pools of data to make better decisions faster. 1415 bmta.co.uk also appoint an Authorised or Responsible person based in the UK. This can be the manufacturer, distributor or if the product is imported to the UK, the Importer (i.e. the ‘economic operators’). Authorised or Responsible persons based in the EU and EU NBs will not be recognised in the UK after 1 January 2022. Placing products on the EU market: Products to be placed on the EU market after 1 January 2021 must carry the CE mark. The UKCA mark will not be recognised in the EU. The process, including that for self assessment is essentially unchanged except that Conformity Assessment tests will have to be undertaken by an EU Notified Body. UKABs will not be recognised in the EU. UK manufacturers, exporters or distributors will have to appoint an Authorised or Responsible Person based in the EU. Authorised or Responsible Persons based in the UK will not be recognised in the EU. If a UK manufacturer has a CE marked product that was assessed by a UK NB which they wish to place on the EU market they must ensure that the UK NB that undertook the Conformity Assessment for the CE mark passes the file to an EU NB. A list of EU NBs can be found on the EU NANDO (New Approach and Designated Organisations) database at www.eu.europa.eu/ growth/tools-databases/nando/ . Thus manufacturers wishing to place products on both the UK and EU markets may choose; • To apply the CE mark only between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2021 (not encouraged) or; • to apply both the CE and UKCA marks from 1 January 2021, which will require dual conformity assessment by a UKAB and EU NB. This will be mandatory after 1 January 2022. Placing products on the market in Northern Ireland (NI). If manufacturers have placed a product on the market in the EU, EEA, or UK (including NI) before 1 January 2021 they need not do anything. NI follows the EU rules and the CE mark must be applied to products that are to be placed on the market in the EU and NI. An EU NB must be used for Conformity Assessment. If a UKAB is used then the product must carry the UKNI CA mark but cannot be placed on the EU market. It can be placed on the UK market (including NI) however. Products to be placed on the UK and the NI markets must carry both the CE and UKNI CA marks which will require dual assessment. Definitive Guidance can be found at: www.gov.uk/guidance/placing-manufactured-goods-on-the- market-in-great-britain www.gov.uk/guidance/placing-manufactured-goods-on-the- eu-market Products and uses requiring a UKCA mark in the UK: Toys Recreational craft and personal watercraft Simple pressure vessels Electromagnetic compatibility (for electrical equipment) Low voltage electrical equipment Non-automatic weighing instruments Measuring instruments Lifts Equipment and protective systems for potentially explosive atmospheres (ATEX) Radio Equipment Pressure equipment Personal Protective Equipment Gas appliances Machinery Noise emissions by equipment for outdoor use Energy labelling Restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (ROHS) Pyrotechnics. Other arrangements are required for: Medical devices Rail interoperability constituents Construction products Civil explosives Products requiring ecodesign and energy labelling Cosmetics Tobacco products Fertilizers Medicines Chemicals Veterinary medicines Vehicles Aerospace The CE mark is required for: Toys Recreational craft and personal watercraft Simple pressure vessels Electromagnetic compatibility (for electrical equipment) Low voltage electrical equipment Non-automatic weighing instruments Measuring instruments Lifts Equipment and protective systems for potentially explosive atmospheres (ATEX) Radio Equipment Pressure equipment Personal Protective Equipment Gas appliances Machinery Noise emissions by equipment for outdoor use Energy labelling Restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (ROHS) Pyrotechnics. Medicines Fertilisers Construction products Cableway installations Civil explosives 151616 bmta.co.uk AUTOMATED CALIBRATION OF NON-AUTOMATED DEVICES By Matt Gypps, UK Technical Manager, Trescal Rethinking automation Automated measurements have been possible for many years through the introduction of instrument interfaces such as the GPIB and programmable software such as Fluke MetCAL. Automated Test Equipment (ATE) enables faster measurements while maintaining accuracy and removes the potential for human error. However, devices without an interface remain reliant on an operator to make settings and interpret and record results. Until now…. Trescal, along with Thinkbot Solutions and Linestar Automation, developed a robot that precisely mimics the physical movements of technicians. “When we initially came up with the concept, many people thought it was laughable”, says Adam Webb, Regional Technical Manager, Americas, at Trescal. “The calibration process for these DMMs can only be carried out by turning knobs, pushing buttons and visually observing and recording results – so how could it be done without human intervention?” Matt Gypps, UK Technical Manager for Trescal, adds “we know this has been tried before and either failed or was only successful on a limited range of products. A system that can be used for any shape or size of handheld DMM is a real breakthrough for Trescal and the UK.” First launched in Trescal’s Dallas facility, the DMM robot is composed of a mechanical arm with 6 joints, allowing it to articulate in multiple positions compared to a human. It can pick up a wide range of tools and apply exact pressure, enabling it to calibrate standard DMMs with extreme precision. Not only can it calibrate the equipment, the What was once thought to be a manual-only calibration process is now being performed by a purpose-built robot. We take a look at how digital multi-metre calibration is being transformed by new technology and ask what the breakthrough means for other highly manual tasks. Used by field technicians all over the world, digital multi-metres (DMMs) are a standard diagnostic tool for testing electrical values. These handheld devices need to be calibrated periodically to ensure they remain accurate and reliable, but many DMMs are not equipped with a means of communication, i.e., they have no port for USB, RS232 or similar standards. This meant that calibration was undertaken manually, with technicians required to manipulate the devices, read values on the LCD screen, and record the results. Recently, this time-consuming process was completely reimagined by the design of the first DMM calibration robot.1717 bmta.co.uk robot can pick up the next piece of equipment in the line for calibration enabling up to 14 handheld DMM’s to be processed in each session. The only manual intervention required is to keep the robot’s assembly line stocked with DMMs. Once the technician has performed some basic checks and loaded the system, the measurement process, and certificate production are entirely autonomous. This not only reduces the calibration time and minimises errors, but the technician can invest their time in more challenging activities. Deployment of the robot in the UK Trescal’s Stevenage branch was picked for the UK launch of the robot as the branch already had four manual systems in operation. Calibration requirements are similar around the world, but not the same. The system had to be programmed to meet the stringent requirements of the UK market and pass a UKAS assessment to enable it to be used for accredited calibration service per the requirements of ISO 17025:2017. Thanks to the flexibility of the design, the system can be used to calibrate any handheld DMM. Physical Digital, the latest acquisition from Trescal, scan each DMM using their 3D structured light measurement solution to add accurate dimensions to the nest template, which is then printed on a 3D printer in the laboratory. This custom carriage fits snug around the device and enables it to be loaded on to the conveyor. Locations of the DMM terminals and controls are all preprogrammed to enable full autonomy of both switch rotation and cable placement. Benefits of automation After two years of use in Trescal’s Dallas Branch and feedback from proof of concept, the results show that the robot calibrates just as precisely as highly-trained technicians. The time required for calibration is roughly the same (between 18 and 35 minutes per DMM, depending on the complexity of the device). Still, the real benefit is that the robot frees up technicians to concentrate on more demanding metrology tasks. Technicians no longer have to spend much of their day doing what is essentially routine calibration work and can now focus on their development in other areas. In addition, the robot can carry on working outside usual shift hours which allows for work to continue after staff have left for the day, provided DMMs have been loaded on the system. Matt Gypps explains, “We have proven using a robot does not have any negative impact on the quality of our measurements. It has allowed for more time to be spent focusing on future innovations.” Sharing knowledge Having demonstrated successful improvements for the Stevenage laboratory, Trescal is now able to deliver DMM calibration to other parts of the UK via their transportation network. DMMs are designed differently; therefore, it is necessary to create a separate configuration file for the robot each time it calibrates a new DMM type. The file contains details about the device, such as the positioning of dials and input jacks, or the size of the screen. The files can be shared with users of similar robots in other Trescal laboratories in the UK or in any international laboratory. “We wanted the configuration process to be simple, so technicians didn’t need programming skills”, explains Adam Webb. “That’s why we developed the robot with partners who were experts in LabVIEW and could deliver a user- friendly interface.” Thanks to the work of Thinkbot Solutions (programmatic design and robot integration) and Linestar Automation (mechanical and electrical systems), the robot can be configured to operate on a new DMM by anyone with basic Excel spreadsheet skills. Each new configuration file can then be shared across Trescal’s facilities.” Inspiration for further applications Since the robot automates physical actions and translates operations into measurements, the possibilities are endless. “Now that the robot is embedded and has successfully passed a recent UKAS assessment, we are investigating the potential to use it for other manual calibration activities in a number of parameters”, says Matt Gypps. “The potential is exciting and no longer just a concept.” This article was previously published in the BMTA Newsletter but has recently been updated and revised.bmta.co.uk MAKING REGULATORY CHEMICAL EMISSIONS TESTS EASIER FOR CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS MANUFACTURERS By Elinor Hughes, Technical Copywriter at Markes International, Gwaun Elai Medi-Science Campus, Llantrisant, UK Regulations affecting construction product manufacturers Building materials release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the indoor air environment such as in our homes and workplaces. Prolonged exposure to VOCs has been associated with an increase in the incidence of eye, nose and throat irritation, allergic skin reactions, headaches, dizziness and fatigue. Conditions such as asthma can often be triggered by VOCs, and some are known to cause cancer, while others are suspected causes. As a result, the demand for improved assessment and labelling of products with respect to their intentional or unintentional release of VOCs has led to high-profile international regulatory developments. VOCs of concern are solvents, residual monomers, plasticisers, formaldehyde and allergens. As they are widely used in the manufacture of construction products, the regulations affect a large proportion of the industry, such as producers of flooring, paints, coatings, adhesives, sealants, plasterboard (drywall), insulation (such as spray polyurethane foam) and wall coverings, together with all their suppliers. It is the responsibility of manufacturers and suppliers to demonstrate products are safe for use leading to compliance with regulations. Regulations include Germany’s AgBB scheme (evaluation of VOC emissions from construction products), France’s construction and decorative products regulation set up by ANSES, and EU REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of CHemicals). Similar regulations have been set up in the US, such as Standard 189.1 and the LEED ‘green buildings’ program. ‘Chinese REACH’ makes similar requirements to the European equivalent. Chemical emissions tests are mandatory for construction product manufacturers to show regulatory compliance. This often requires the implementation of routine in-house tests for quality control as well as ‘reference’ tests for product certification. However, the ‘small’ chambers used for the reference methods are costly and impractical for routine screening because it can take up to a month to complete analytical studies. The Micro-Chamber/Thermal Extractor (µ-CTE) can be used as a complementary technique; it is less expensive than the ‘small’ chamber and allows sample collection from six samples at a time, significantly increasing the throughput. This enables manufacturers to screen material prior to these expensive third- party certification tests and carry out routine factory control/quality control. Figure 1: A typical 1m ‘small’ chamber used for final product certification. Image credit: SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden. 181919 bmta.co.uk VOC emissions ‘reference’ tests The ‘reference’ tests typically involve placing a representative material or product sample inside a ‘small’ chamber (Figure 1) (typically 50–1000 L) so that only the emitting surface is exposed. At ambient, or slightly elevated temperature, a flow of clean air is applied to sweep VOCs from the sample into a tube containing a sorbent, which retains the VOCs. These sorbent tubes are then analysed using thermal desorption–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (TD–GC–MS), which gives the concentration of each compound released from the sample. TD is a pre- concentration technique, which introduces the VOCs from the sorbent tube to the GC in a very small volume of carrier gas, maximising the sensitivity to enable detection of trace- level target compounds. The material is kept in the chamber for up to 28 days and samples are taken after three days (to simulate the material’s first application in a real room) and at 28 days (to simulate occupancy of the room). The analysis is conducted in accordance with one or more standard methods. Key methods include ISO 16000-6, ISO 16000-9, EN 13999 (for adhesives), EN 16516, ASTM D5116, ASTM D6196 and California Specification 01350. Figure 2: Direct desorption of a solid sample carried out using a thermal desorption tube. Figure 3: Examples of microchamber/thermal extractor units. Left: A six-chamber model. Right: A four-chamber model. However, it is the European Construction Products Regulation (CPR) that has arguably the biggest worldwide impact on construction product manufacturers. Put in place to prevent trade barriers across the EU and to harmonise European product standards, it stipulates that all construction materials made or sold within the European Union must be certified with the CE mark. To achieve this, ‘reference’ emissions tests must be carried out by an accredited third-party laboratory. Next >