London, UK – January 27, 2021
Warringtonfire, part of the Element Materials Technology Group, has reviewed the post-Brexit agreement on trade and is able to confirm that it does not contain any mutual recognition agreement (MRA) for notified bodies.
This will have the largest impact on Warringtonfire’s clients where:
- Assessment and Verification of Constancy of Performance (AVCP) System 3 applies to the product; and
- the product is being sold in EU-27 countries.
Warringtonfire is extensively involved in EU and UK Standards Committees, Notified Body Forums and continues to have a strong relationship with government and industry bodies, enabling it to be closely involved with progress. Warringtonfire has discussed its understanding of the position with the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG), which has confirmed that an MRA could not be agreed with the European Commission and there are no plans to hold further discussions on this matter such that an MRA may be in place in the future.
In the case of products that are currently undergoing Reaction to Fire classification to EN 13501-1, Warringtonfire will have written to customers to determine exact requirements and provide guidance toward a position that ensures that all UK and EU-27 requirements are met in a cost effective manner, and requiring the minimum of additional effort.
It is Warringtonfire’s understanding that historical, UK-created, System 3 test evidence can no longer be used to support CE marking in the EU-27. Customers that CE mark products based on EN 13501 classification reports issued by Warringtonfire (UK) prior to 1 January 2021 should contact Warringtonfire so the team can advise what to do to ensure that products are covered for the EU-27 market.
In terms of UKCA and UKNI, all UK-created, System 3 test evidence will continue to be recognized. At the end of this year, it is likely that System 3 test data generated by EU-27 notified laboratories will not be recognized for the purposes of UKCA and UKNI marking.
This communication is based on our current knowledge. Changes may occur and customers will be notified when further guidance is provided by Government that impacts the advice given.
For any questions or queries, please contact Mani Singh on Mansimran.Singh@warringtonfire.com.
ENDS
About Element
The Element Materials Technology Group is one of the world’s leading global providers of testing, inspection and certification services for a diverse range of materials, products and technologies in advanced industrial supply chains where failure is not an option. Headquartered in London, UK, Element’s team of more than 6,000 expert scientists, engineers and technicians operate from around 200 locations across five continents, delivering an extensive range of solutions to customers in critical industries including aerospace, connected technologies, construction, defense, energy, environmental, life sciences and transportation.
About Warringtonfire
Warringtonfire, part of the Element Group, specializes in providing a comprehensive range of independent fire testing, assessment, engineering and certification services to international markets from a network of accredited sites across the globe including Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australia.
We exist to help our customers to make certain that the materials, products and systems that they make are safe, quality, compliant and ultimately fit for purpose, leveraging our 40 years of testing experience and our global testing capabilities
For more information about Warringtonfire, connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter and subscribe to our Youtube channel.
Media contacts:
Vikki Taylor, Marketing Manager - Fire and Building Products
T: +44 (0)1494 569 685
Devan LaBrash, Pagoda Public Relations
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