Brexit and potential impacts on the status of CARES product approvals
14/10/2020
Brexit and potential impacts on the status of CARES product approvals
CARES has received requests for information about Brexit, specifically regarding any potential impact on the status of CARES product approvals, in particular those covering reinforcing steel.
The Construction Products Regulations (CPR) state that CE marking can only be applied to products with either a harmonised standard or those covered by an appropriate European Assessment Document (EAD), together with corresponding European Technical Assessment (ETA) for product supplied by customers.
Reinforcing steel (rebar) is not covered by a harmonised standard or an EAD; hence a CE mark is not applied. This relates to any rebar, whether it is supplied from the UK, Europe or any other country.
CARES not only certifies steel produced in the UK, but also certifies product manufactured in member states across the European Union and many other important steel markets globally.
Reinforcing steel is certified against BS4449 which is not a harmonised standard, which means rebar is not covered by the CPR, or affected by current Brexit negotiations, regardless of whether these talks conclude with or without a deal.
There are currently no European standards covering reinforcing steel products which are regarded as harmonised, or covered by an EAD, hence the validity of BS standards will remain unaffected.
CARES is accredited by UKAS (accreditation no 002); any accreditations issued directly by UKAS or UKAS-accredited organisations are recognised internationally through UKAS’ membership of the European co-operation of Accreditation (EA); the International Laboratory Accreditation Co-operation (ILAC) and the International Accreditation Forum (IAF). These memberships will not change whether ongoing Brexit talks end with ‘deal’ or a ‘no deal’ outcome.
For more information please visit the UKAS website:
https://www.ukas.com/about/about-accreditation/a-global-network/
In summary, CARES approval for reinforcing steel or any Technical Approvals are not affected after 31st December 2020 regardless of Brexit negotiations, as the schemes reflect recognised product standards, which are not covered by the CPR.
This also applies to CARES schemes covering ISO9001, ISO14001, OHSAS18001 / ISO 45001, BES6001 and the CARES Sustainability Scheme – SCS and CARES certificates will remain valid after 31st December 2020.
We trust this information is helpful, and will update once again if there is any change requiring clarification, or a clear resolution of the Brexit process. In the meantime, if you have any further questions please contact the relevant CARES manager (below) for additional information:
- Mr Lyn Morgan – Scheme Manager for Construction Products: lynmorgan@ukcares.com
- Mr Matt Palmer – Scheme Manager for Steel: mattpalmer@ukcares.com
- Mr Bahadir Karadayi – Scheme Manager for Sustainability: bahadirkaradayi@ukcares.com