Published 26/06/2024
You've recently spent £20,000 on testing your fire doors, only to find out that you need to pay extra for product sample selection. This additional requirement might seem like an unnecessary expense, but it's crucial for obtaining the necessary certifications for your fire doors. Here's why sampling is essential and how it affects your certification process.
UKCA/CE Marking and 3rd Party Certification
When planning to sell external fire doorsets in the UK or the EU, obtaining the UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) mark or the CE (Conformité Européenne) mark is mandatory. Both of these certifications assure that your products meet the necessary safety and performance standards. Additionally, many clients and regulatory bodies require third-party certification to verify the quality and safety of your fire doors, which may also require sampling.
System 1 Fire Doors
According to Annex 5 of the Construction Products Regulation (CPR), fire doors fall under System 1. This classification mandates rigorous testing and certification processes, including product sampling before testing.
The Role of Sampling in the Certification Process
Why Sampling is Mandatory
Sampling ensures that the products tested are representative of the actual products that will be sold. This step is critical because it:
Ensures Authenticity: Confirms that the tested product is identical to the ones that will be distributed.
Maintains Standards: Guarantees that every product meets the required safety and performance standards.
Builds Trust: Increases trust with regulatory bodies and customers by demonstrating a commitment to quality and safety.
Consequences of Skipping Sampling
Without proper sampling, the test evidence for your fire doors cannot be considered valid by a UK Approved or Notified Body. This means that:
Certifications Will Be Rejected: Your products won't receive the necessary UKCA/CE marking or some third-party certifications.
Financial Loss: The £20,000 spent on testing will be wasted since the tests are invalid without proper sampling.
Market Access Issues: Without the required certifications, your external fire doors cannot be legally sold in the UK or EU markets.
Steps to Ensure Proper Sampling
Engage with Certification Bodies Early
Before proceeding with testing, engage with UK Approved or Notified Bodies to understand their specific requirements for sampling. This proactive approach can save you time and money by ensuring you meet all necessary criteria from the outset.
Plan for Sampling in Your Budget
Include the cost of sampling in your initial budget for product testing and certification. While it may seem like an additional expense, it is a necessary investment to ensure the validity of your tests and the marketability of your products.
Collaborate with Your Sales Team
Make sure your sales team is fully aware of the certification requirements. They should understand the importance of sampling and its role in securing the necessary UKCA/CE marks and some third-party certifications. This awareness can prevent miscommunications and ensure that all teams are aligned in their objectives.
Conclusion
Proper sampling is not just a formality but a critical step in the certification process for fire doors. By ensuring that your products are sampled before testing, you can avoid wasting resources and ensure that your fire doors meet the stringent requirements for safety and performance. Remember, the upfront cost of sampling is a small price to pay compared to the potential financial and reputational losses from failed certifications. Make sure to include sampling in your testing plan to avoid costly mistakes and successfully bring your products to market.
Contact us today to talk to our friendly team about the importance of proper sampling for fire door certification.
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