Products and systems selection
The EN 1504-9 standard provides a list of principles for repairing and protecting concrete, which have already been explained in chapter 6 of this guide. Table 1 of the standard presents these principles and relates them to the possible methods to use in each case. With the help of this table, it is easier to choose the right method for addressing a particular principle. Moreover, it provides the relevant sections of EN 1504 associated with each method for the consultant to refer to when looking for standard information.
The type of product to use will be determined by this table. However, the particular product or system choice will be influenced by the local market, the Engineer’s competency and the supplier’s advice.
It is mandatory for all products that are covered by a harmonized standard – such as EN 1504 – to be CE marked. National markets usually have their own marking obligations.
To ensure that the marking requirements are met by the manufacturer, their facilities must undergo regular inspections by accredited national bodies. Each product sheet should provide information about which environmental databases the product is registered with.
Construction products must have a Declaration of Performance (DoP) and be CE marked to be sold if they are covered by a harmonized standard or comply with a European Technical Assessment (ETA). The CE mark confirms that a product’s properties have been analysed and described in a uniform European manner and that the information is accurate.
Suppliers are certified according to ISO 14001, an environmental management system that integrates into the business. Certificates must be approved by accredited bodies and apply to the development, purchase, rental, and sale of the supplier’s products and services.
Some national markets have voluntary product or system registrations as a means of creating value.
An example is the Swedish Construction Product Declaration, which provides detailed information about specific construction products. These instructions specify how the product should be handled during construction, use, and disposal. Furthermore, the document also contains information about the product’s environmental impact at various stages of its life cycle. A complete Product Construction Declaration is a basis for assessment and registration with Byggvarubedomningen, SundaHus, eBVD and BASTA as well as for the selection and prioritization of construction products from an environmental point of view.
BASTA is the industry’s only independent environmental assessment system for construction products. The purpose of the system is to phase out products containing substances with dangerous chemical properties and to contribute to Sweden’s national environmental quality goal of a non-toxic environment. REACH is at the core of BASTA’s requirements for chemical content.
SundaHus Miljödata is an environment and health-risk-inspected construction product system. Products are assessed according to the documentation provided by the supplier and SundaHu’s assessment criteria, which are based on REACH and the Chemicals Inspectorate’s PRIO priority guide.
Construction product assessments (Byggvarubedomningen) evaluate and assess the properties and life cycle of products. Environmental assessments guide product development towards a non-toxic and sustainable environment. Project assessment tools such as BREEAM, Envision, Greenroads, etc., may also influence product and system requirements.
