Does my joinery have to be CE marked?

When sourcing joinery products for a project, you’ll want to ensure that they are not only of the highest quality, but also that they meet all the required standards. The first step when buying windows and doors, should be to check for a CE mark.

CE marking first came into force in the 1980’s and since 1st July 2013 there has been a requirement for all external timber windows and doors to be CE marked.

So, what is it? And why does it matter?

What is a CE mark?

CE marking is sometimes referred to as the ‘passport to Europe’, as having a CE mark indicates that a product complies with all relevant EU legislation, enabling its free movement within the European market.

It is mandatory for certain product types to have a CE mark and any products that are to be sold in the European Economic Area (EEA) - even if they are not manufactured here - need to bear one.

The letters ‘CE’ are an abbreviation of the French phrase ‘Conformité Européene’, which means European conformity. By having a CE mark on a product, a manufacturer is declaring that the product complies with essential requirements, as specified by the relevant European health, safety and environmental protection legislation.

Who is responsible for CE marking?

Responsibility for CE marking lies with the person who puts the product on the market in the EU. For example, an EU-based manufacturer, an importer, or a distributor.

The manufacturer is the one who affixes the CE mark to the product and to do so they need to undertake certain obligatory steps. This includes carrying out a conformity assessment, setting up a technical file and signing a declaration. All this documentation must be available to authorities upon request.

Anyone who imports products from a manufacturer based outside the EU has responsibility for verifying that the necessary steps have been undertaken.

Why do I need to check for a CE mark?

Despite it being a requirement, joinery manufacturers don’t all produce CE marked windows and doors. That means customers need to undertake due diligence and should always check before ordering. Ask to see certificates, if you’re at all unsure.

What about internal joinery?

While internal joinery should be of the same high quality, and follow the same demanding procedures, it doesn’t require a CE mark. To guarantee you are getting a quality product, it’s always best to ensure you are using an experienced supplier with a good reputation. Look at their certifications and accreditations and ask what quality standards they conform to.

What other mandatory elements for joinery are there?

There are a number of building regulations that apply to joinery. For a full run down of the ones that apply to residential properties, click here for Building Regulations.

As well as checking for a CE mark, any external joinery also needs to conform with the building regulations associated with safety – Part Q. (insert link to PartQ section / FAQ)

The Part Q regulations make it mandatory for window and door sets to be manufactured to a design that has been proven to meet the security requirements of PAS 24:2012. They set standards for doors and windows, ensuring they can resist physical attack by a burglar, are sufficiently robust and fitted with appropriate hardware.

Anyone who requires planning permission to build a new residential dwelling needs to comply, as well as commercial or agricultural buildings being renovated or refurbished into a residential dwelling. It also applies within conservation areas.

You can view the approved document here:

Salisbury Joinery and CE marking

At Salisbury Joinery, we have rigorous workshop procedures in place that mean our windows and doors are of the highest standard. Our double glazed vertical sliding windows, casement windows and door sets for domestic and commercial applications, are all CE marked and conform to BS EN14351-1:2006+A1:2010.

We are independently audited and our CE marked joinery has also achieved a ‘Bronze’ CMS mark – an independent assessment that has been specifically devised to help maintain the high quality of windows and external doors. You can find out more here.

Joinery you can trust

For more advice, help with specification, or inspiration for your next project, please call the Salisbury Joinery team on 01722 337040.