A draft for a Belgian VOC regulation concerning emissions from construction products has been submitted for European Union (EU) notification by Belgian ministries on October 10, 2012, with important ramifications to manufacturers and suppliers. The Royal Decree establishes "threshold levels for the emissions to the indoor environment from construction products for certain indoor uses."
The regulation is scheduled to be published in 2013 and expected to become mandatory for new products introduced to the Belgian market on January 1, 2014. Beginning January 1, 2015, products already sold in the Belgian market will then have to conform to these regulations. After this date, products that do not have the required product emissions testing will not be permitted to be sold in Belgium.
Manufacturers are responsible for ensuring that their products meet or fall below the set limits and are responsible for obtaining the required product emissions files. Laboratory tests may either be performed according to the EU draft for testing of emissions from construction products (publication is not expected until the end of 2012) or according to the test method of the ISO 16000 standard series. The basis of the Belgian decree is the European Construction Products Regulation (CPR). The emission testing takes place after 28 days in a testing laboratory accredited to the ISO 17025 standard.
"We applaud the Belgian Royal Commission on their efforts to improve indoor air quality and better protect people and the environment. Leading laboratories like UL ECO-INSTITUT can contribute to this effort through voluntary labels like the eco-INSTITUT -Label by providing test results that are already on hand. Test results according to the principles of the DIBT may also be used. This makes the process easier for the manufacturer, eliminating the need for additional testing to be performed," explains Daniel Tigges, marketing manager of UL ECO-INSTITUT, Cologne.
This regulation will be the third national regulation in Europe concerning emissions from construction products, and joins the German DIBt-principles and the French A+ VOC regulation already in place.
For the time being, products being affected by the new regulation are floor coverings, floor covering underlays and underlay products, floor covering laying tools, adhesives for floor coverings, coatings and impregnation agents. Grandfathered are floor covering products consisting of 100 % of natural stone, ceramic materials, glass or steel. Construction products like wall coverings, paints, varnishes etc. are not included in this regulation.
More information you find here
About UL Environment
UL Environment, a business unit of UL (Underwriters Laboratories), works to advance global sustainability, environmental health, and safety by supporting the growth and development of environmentally preferable products, services, and organizations. We help companies achieve their sustainability goals—and help purchasers, specifiers, retailers, governments, and consumers find products they can trust. UL Environment offers environmental claim validations, multi-attribute product certifications, environmental product declarations, indoor air quality certification, product emissions testing, organizational sustainability certification, and consulting. For more information, visit www.ul.com/environment.
This press release is for general information purposes only and should not be interpreted as legal or other professional advice.This press release is for general information purposes only and should not be interpreted as legal or other professional advice.
The regulation is scheduled to be published in 2013 and expected to become mandatory for new products introduced to the Belgian market on January 1, 2014. Beginning January 1, 2015, products already sold in the Belgian market will then have to conform to these regulations. After this date, products that do not have the required product emissions testing will not be permitted to be sold in Belgium.
Manufacturers are responsible for ensuring that their products meet or fall below the set limits and are responsible for obtaining the required product emissions files. Laboratory tests may either be performed according to the EU draft for testing of emissions from construction products (publication is not expected until the end of 2012) or according to the test method of the ISO 16000 standard series. The basis of the Belgian decree is the European Construction Products Regulation (CPR). The emission testing takes place after 28 days in a testing laboratory accredited to the ISO 17025 standard.
"We applaud the Belgian Royal Commission on their efforts to improve indoor air quality and better protect people and the environment. Leading laboratories like UL ECO-INSTITUT can contribute to this effort through voluntary labels like the eco-INSTITUT -Label by providing test results that are already on hand. Test results according to the principles of the DIBT may also be used. This makes the process easier for the manufacturer, eliminating the need for additional testing to be performed," explains Daniel Tigges, marketing manager of UL ECO-INSTITUT, Cologne.
This regulation will be the third national regulation in Europe concerning emissions from construction products, and joins the German DIBt-principles and the French A+ VOC regulation already in place.
For the time being, products being affected by the new regulation are floor coverings, floor covering underlays and underlay products, floor covering laying tools, adhesives for floor coverings, coatings and impregnation agents. Grandfathered are floor covering products consisting of 100 % of natural stone, ceramic materials, glass or steel. Construction products like wall coverings, paints, varnishes etc. are not included in this regulation.
More information you find here
About UL Environment
UL Environment, a business unit of UL (Underwriters Laboratories), works to advance global sustainability, environmental health, and safety by supporting the growth and development of environmentally preferable products, services, and organizations. We help companies achieve their sustainability goals—and help purchasers, specifiers, retailers, governments, and consumers find products they can trust. UL Environment offers environmental claim validations, multi-attribute product certifications, environmental product declarations, indoor air quality certification, product emissions testing, organizational sustainability certification, and consulting. For more information, visit www.ul.com/environment.
This press release is for general information purposes only and should not be interpreted as legal or other professional advice.This press release is for general information purposes only and should not be interpreted as legal or other professional advice.
