Certification of construction products and CE marking by a notified body

The CE marking is a mark affixed to a construction product, certifying that the product meets the declared performance characteristics in accordance with a harmonised European standard under Regulation (EU) No 305/2011. It is accompanied by a Declaration of Performance (DoP) and allows the product to be placed on the market freely throughout the European Union.

The CE marking is mandatory where a harmonised European standard (hEN) exists for the specific construction product or where a European Technical Assessment (ETA) has been issued. In such cases, the manufacturer is not permitted to place the product on the market without CE marking and a Declaration of Performance, regardless of whether the product is sold in Bulgaria or in another Member State.

Systems for assessing the constancy of performance (2+, 3+ and so on) determine the extent of the notified body’s involvement — ranging from an audit of production control (System 2+) to independent testing of product samples (System 3+). The choice of system depends on the type of construction product and the applicable harmonised standard.

Technical documentation for the product, a description of the manufacturing process and the factory production control (FPC) system, test results, and details of the manufacturer are usually required. The exact list is determined on a case-by-case basis depending on the product and the applicable assessment scheme.

BDS certification attests to compliance with Bulgarian national requirements for construction products. The CE marking attests to compliance with the harmonised European standards under Regulation (EU) No 305/2011 and provides access to the entire European market. Both procedures may be required in parallel, depending on the product and the market in which it is to be sold.

The timeframes depend on the type of product, the assessment system and the readiness of the client’s production control department. Once an enquiry has been submitted, ‘Stroykontrol 2003’ prepares a bespoke quotation within a few hours, and the procedure itself may include a production audit and laboratory tests.

Yes. As a notified body (NB 1993), ‘Stroykontrol 2003’ is authorised to carry out conformity assessments under Regulation (EU) No 305/2011 for manufacturers outside Bulgaria, subject to compliance with the requirements of the Regulation for the product in question.

The procedure begins with the completion of a certification application, which is free of charge and does not bind the manufacturer to a contract. Once the application has been submitted, ‘Stroykontrol 2003’ draws up a personalised offer tailored to the specific product and the appropriate assessment system.