Natural Paving Products Excel in CE Marking Tests
This article was first published on Natural Paving
Following an extensive and rigorous testing process, Natural Paving Products (UK) Ltd is pleased to announce that it has completed CE Marking on all of its products – with consistently high performance results across its entire range.
The tests were completed as part of the transition to the new Construction Products Regulation (CPR), which came into force on 1st July 2013 and requires that all products covered by a Harmonised European Standard (hEN) or European Technical Assessment (ETA) carry CE Marks to state their performance characteristics.
Natural Paving Products has invested significant time and more than £200,000 in the process of CE Marking its products, which included comprehensive testing, the introduction of factory production controls and the production of a detailed Declaration of Performance (DoP) for each product, as well as redesigning and reprinting all packaging to reflect the test results.
The project has been underway since January 2013, during which time Natural Paving Products has tested several hundred individual product lines, delivering an unrivalled level of product confidence and transparency of performance.
Phil Beer, Head of Special Projects at Natural Paving Products comments: “The CE marking process has been a lengthy but critical exercise for Natural Paving Products, but the significant amount of time and money that has been invested in this process has been absolutely worthwhile, as it demonstrates our unwavering commitment to quality.
“It also shows our customers that we take industry standards seriously, so they can choose our products with confidence, knowing they will perform as required. It is really pleasing to review the testing results which show that our products are not only beautiful and innovative, but extremely fit for purpose.”
Tests conducted across the product ranges include: flexural strength, which tests the breaking point of the stone; freeze thaw resistance; slip resistance in both wet and dry conditions; compressive strength and abrasion testing.
The results were consistently high across the entire product portfolio, with some products performing exceptionally well. For example, Black Slate, part of the Premiastone range, has shown exceptional flexural strength results, while the Cashmere, Pumice, Cornsilk, Ibis and Ivory stone products in the same range have all demonstrated excellent slip resistance.
Malcolm Gough, Business Development Director at Natural Paving Products, commented: “We’re really proud of our products’ performance and feel that the CE Marking process has only strengthened our service offering. However, it’s worth reminding customers to make sure the products they choose have genuine CE Marks, as unfortunately the substantial commitment involved in becoming fully CE Marked has led to the circulation of false or incorrect labels by some of the smaller players in the Indian natural stone market.
“Compliant labels should provide test results or give details of where to obtain these, such as a web address. A good test would be to request a copy of the results from their supplier, as this should be readily available if the proper procedure has been followed.”
