‘Single audit’ plan

Building product manufacturers seeking certification to supply British and European markets can fast-track UKCA and CE marking applications following major agreements between the British Board of Agrément (BBA) and European Notified Bodies (NBs).

The BBA has initiated discussions with a number of NBs proposing they collaborate to facilitate quicker, easier and more cost-effective compliance to address product certification changes introduced post-Brexit.

For manufacturers this will mean one audit – carried out by the BBA or by a Notified Body partner – to support both UKCA and CE marking for FPC 2+, saving BBA and European NB clients time and money by reducing audit days and administration costs.

“Following Brexit, organisations within the UK can no longer assist with conformity tasks in support of CE marking, and European Notified Bodies can no longer assist with conformity tasks in support of the new UKCA marking applications,” Peter Webbon, BBA sales and marketing director, said. “This has created a frustrating situation for clients in both marketplaces having to use two organisations for two conformity markings even though much of the information required is the same.

“We reached out to European NBs with the suggestion that we collaborate to achieve one audit for both FPC certificates. These new partnerships create efficiencies across the supply chain, making it easier and quicker for building product manufacturers at home and throughout the EU to achieve the necessary compliance.

“Although NBs have worked together in the past this is the first real partnership seen between them, for the good of the industry.”

Already more than 10 EU NBs have confirmed participation in the scheme, including Eurofins Finland (the first to sign up to the partnership), ITB Poland, NCS Estonia, Holzforschung Austria, and SKZ Germany, with strong interest from many more.