EU restarts amending CPD

The European Union has restarted the process of amending the Construction Products Directive (CPD) and will meet to get a final agreed position by November 2009.

Once an agreed position has been reached the second reading of the CPD will start. This is expected to begin in December, with a three month duration which can be extended by a further month. A final agreed CPD would then be complete in spring 2010.

The main amendment to the Directive is that it is likely to change to a Regulation. CE Marking is optional under a Directive, but under a European Regulation it will be mandatory in all member states including the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

If accepted the effect will be that CE Marking of fabricated steelwork will become mandatory in early 2012.