Jun 15 2004
Experts at CERAM, the internationally renowned centre for materials and technology, based in Stoke-on-Trent, have been busy helping tile adhesive manufacturers to urgently reclassify their products in light of the new standards introduced by the EU.
The EU requirement for CE marking of tile adhesives came into effect on 1st April 2004 following the rejection by the EU of a request for a postponement. In most EU countries, the CE Mark will be mandatory to trade.
Graham Oliver of CERAM explained: “The speed with which the legislation has been introduced has taken a number of adhesive manufacturers by surprise. Many of these manufacturers realised at a late date that their products would need independent testing by a ‘notified’ test house, and many are turning to CERAM, in order to comply with the Initial Type Testing (ITT) procedure.”
BS EN 12004 ‘Adhesives for Tiles, Definitions and Specifications’ is now the definitive British Standard for tile adhesives and it is more wide-ranging in its classification or the different adhesive types than the old BS 5980. This latter standard only really classified adhesives on their water resistance performance as AA, A or B. The new standard will lead to some initial confusion as specifiers, tile fixers and others within the industry become familiar with the new notation.
Hard on the heels of the adhesives standards is a specification and system of tests for tile grouts. CERAM has found that many companies are asking them to undertake this testing on their behalf. Although in the case of tile grouts, testing by a notified body is not required, set up costs for internal testing would be very costly.
Graham Oliver continued: “CERAM has a team of qualified and experienced experts who are on hand to help guide tile and grout manufacturers through the maze of new legislation, to undertake the testing, issue appropriate certification and ensure compliance, as efficiently and speedily as possible.”
For more information on tiles, click here.