Construction products: Application of the directive 89/106/EEC

OBJECTIVE: to present the Commission report on the implementation of the "construction products" directive (89/106/EEC), which aims to ensure the free movement of all construction products throughout the EU. CONTENT: the Commission finds the slow and gradual implementation of the directive rather unsatisfactory. Reflection is needed on the ways and means of increasing efficiency in this field, as a result of: 1) a commitment on the part of the Member States in the following areas: a) fire regulations (defining tests for each product class); b) works regulations (taking account of the Eurocodes on works structures in national regulations); c) mutual recognition of tests on products during the transitional period preceding the adoption of harmonized standards and 2) changes adapted to needs in applying the directive: simplifying the decision-making procedures and enlightened implementation of the directive owing to the new approach. To overcome all the difficulties in implementing the directive in practice : - the Commission should undertake to clarify the detailed rules for implementing the directive, speed up the work and draw up a work plan; - the Member States should avoid insisting on a multitude of detailed rules in the implementing provisions; - lastly, the European Committee on Standardization should commit itself to actually putting in place a programme to develop harmonized standards. In view of the scope this creates for improving the way in which the directive is applied, the Commission does not consider it appropriate to propose amending the directive at this stage. It reserves the right to propose any amendments deemed necessary on the basis of the prevailing situation in two years' time.�