European Standard For Sealed Units Mandatory

Press release: 19 February 2003

The UK's adoption of the new European standards for double glazed sealed units could leave unprepared manufacturers in hot water, The British Standards Institution has warned.

Under the new standard (BS EN 1279) product testing for sealed units becomes mandatory to achieve CE compliance. From 2004 manufacturers selling units that are not CE compliant could face fines of up to £5,000.

BSI, which is currently the only company in the UK accredited to test to BS EN 1279, is advising manufacturers to act early to achieve accreditation. Peter Brudenell, BSI's Business Development Manager says: "Testing will become mandatory for companies to achieve CE compliance. While reputable manufacturers should achieve the standard with little difficulty, it does take 16 weeks and we recommend booking early to avoid the rush of companies that will inevitably wait until the last minute.

"Companies that already hold BSI's Kitemark for sealed units have already been through the initial type test stage and automatically meet the Factory Production Control requirements of BS EN 1279. Their transition to CE compliance will be smooth and hassle-free."