CE marking means hidden costs

September 1st marked the implementation of the first of these new Standards affecting the UK glass and fenestration industry:

EN 12150 and EN 12600 for toughened glass It is fair to say that these standards have arrived almost through the back door with there being little advance warning or information put out to the industry, even though a 21 month transition period has only just elapsed.

We have spent the last six months trying to unravel the level of testing required, how many samples to test and most importantly, how much it was going to cost. The latter is difficult to state categorically as it very much depends on the range and thicknesses of glass toughened. So, if you are a toughened glass manufacturer unsure of what to do next, here is a brief outline of what is now urgently required:

1. Implement a system of Factory Production Control to EN 12150 Part 2.

2. Prepare a list of the range of glass toughened and determine if it is solely used for insulating glass units or whether it may be sold as single glass (very important with regard to testing costs).

3. Obtain a quote from a notified body test house for Initial Type Testing i.e. Wintech or BSI in the UK. or TNO in Holland.

4. Prepare Initial Type test samples which will include testing to EN 12600 Pendulum Impact test (replacing BS 6206), four point bending test for mechanical strength and fragmentation to EN 12150 Part 1.

5. Install and implement a proxy test for four point bending – there are a number of options available ranging in cost from £700 to £4000.

We cannot stress too strongly the importance of getting specialist advice on what you will require. It may save you a considerable amount of unnecessary testing and additional costs.

EN 1279 Parts 2 & 3 for insulating glass units

We have spent the last six months trying to unravel the level of testing required

Although this standard has been well documented over the last three years, there are still a significant number of companies who have yet to book test slots and have their units tested to the minimum requirement EN 1279 Part 2.

With the advent of Window Energy Ratings, amongst other initiatives, gas filling of units is becoming more popular but manufacturers will have to have their gas filled units tested to EN 1279 Part 3. Again we advise great care when selecting the right package; there are still substantial savings to be made with differentials in costs as much as £1250 for testing to EN 1279 Part 2 and £1100 to EN 1279 Part 3.

Periodic testing of IG units

There are a number of companies who initially may have had units tested to EN 1279 Part 2 but were not necessarily informed of the ongoing periodic testing required under EN 1279 Part 6, and in certain cases, have yet to implement their Factory Production Control system.

Some of these may have had the intention of writing their own system, often with assistance from suppliers or distributors, but what probably seemed a relatively straightforward exercise with 18 months to go, has now become a different story with 1st March 2007 coming ever closer.

With regard to periodic testing of IG units, you don’t necessarily have to have this done by the Notified Body Test House who carried out your initial type test. Notified bodies are generally only there to carry out the test and provide a report.

EN 14351 for Windows & Doors

A brief note finally on this new standard due for publication on the Official Journal next year. As with other standards there will be a transition period of 21-24 months to allow implementation before becoming law. It is estimated that there are four times as many window fabricators than unit manufacturers. Therefore it is imperative that the implementation of this standard is not left to the last minute. A factory production control system will be required as a minimum, whether testing of window frames will be required is the subject of much discussion in committees at present.

Further information will be released as and when available, but you have been warned!