CE Marking recommended by BCSA

The BCSA is recommending that its members buy CE Marked steel as it is legally clearer that these sections meet required standards.

From 1 September 2006 CE Marking of all open section beams and plates will become compulsory in most European Union countries. However, CE Marking is not mandatory in the UK but as most UK steel producers export to other European countries they have already adopted CE Marking.

David Moore, BCSA Director of Engineering said the legal position is now clearer and customers can now be assured that CE Marked steel sections and plate meet all current regulations.

The concept of CE Marking was originally introduced to the UK in 1991 with the Construction Products Regulations. Although CE Marking is not mandatory, putting steel products on the market which do not satisfy certain essential requirements is a criminal offence.

There are two ways that products can satisfy current requirements: CE Marking and providing, when asked, Trading Standards Officers with sufficient information that proves a product meets the relevant standard.