In the framework of the Construction Products Directive (CPD), the availability of harmonised standards is a more important element for the functioning of the internal market than in other new approach directives. In the case of the CPD as it is now, harmonised technical specifications (standards or European technical approvals) are de facto compulsory, as direct conformity with the essential requirements is excluded as an alternative route to CE Marking, for the simple reason that no essential requirements are defined by the directive at the level of construction products.
This Guidance Paper (GP) centres on the factory production control system considered as a means of ensuring that products placed on the market conform with the technical specifications. ... It is mainly intended for those drafting harmonised technical specifications (harmonised standards and ETAs (European Technical Approvals)) and those drafting ETA guidelines.
