Leaders from the Element Group of certification businesses are reminding manufacturers that the UKCA marking deadline is looming, and that new or updated products planned for launch in 2023 need to be tested in order to be sold in the UK. Ben Sharples, commercial lead at BM Trada, said: “The deadline for the changes in the way UKCA marking is achieved for manufacturers of structural timber fasteners and fixings is now less than two months away.
“While the testing process itself may not take too long, a lack of accredited laboratory space within the UK means manufacturers placing new or updated products on the GB market after the 1 January 2023 deadline should not delay with arranging testing. To further support our customer base within the construction products sphere, we have invested heavily into our High Wycombe fastener testing laboratory, to achieve UKAS accreditation and undertake UKCA testing.”
Under the UK Construction Products Regulation, from 1 January 2023, manufacturers of structural timber fasteners and fixings within the scope of the UK Designated Standard BS EN 14592 must successfully complete the UKCA testing process for any new product to be placed on the GB market.
The move comes as the UK transitions away from the EU-recognised CE Marking. Products undergoing a change in specification, for instance, fasteners and fixings that have a change in design or coatings, will also need to be retested to gain the UKCA marking and confirm the stated performance.
The new fastener testing laboratory in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, can accommodate assessments of performance for structural timber fastener and fixing products so that manufacturers can UKCA mark them to BS EN 14592. The laboratory achieved accreditation thanks to the expertise of its technicians as well significant investment into high-calibre testing equipment, which includes a universal testing machine for compression and tensile testing, a series of bespoke testing rigs, and conditioning rooms for structural timber samples, the business’ representatives said.
Through the new laboratory, Warringtonfire, a sister company of BM Trada, is set to offer a range of geometric and mechanical testing procedures for dowel-type fasteners from a particular group of structural timber fixings comprising of nails, screws, staples, dowels and bolts with nuts. The laboratory is also set to test steel fixings used to create joints between timber components or to attach other materials to timber.
Alongside offering fastener and fixing testing, the laboratory can also offer third-party certification through its BM Trada Q-Mark certification scheme. Ben added: “We have already undertaken several UKCA assessments of performance for structural timber fastener and fixing manufacturers. I would strongly urge those who need to secure testing time for new products to do so as soon as possible to avoid delays.” To find out more about UKCA testing for structural timber fasteners and fixings, visit warringtonfire.com/testing.
