How does the Construction Products Regulation (CPR) affect compliance?

Dutch term: Bouwproductenverordening (CPR) | Legal basis: Regulation (EU) 305/2011

The Construction Products Regulation (CPR, Regulation (EU) 305/2011) governs products permanently incorporated in construction works. Unlike most other EU product legislation, the CPR uses a Declaration of Performance (DoP) rather than a Declaration of Conformity, and its CE marking indicates that the product has been assessed against the applicable harmonised technical specification, not that it meets essential requirements as such.

Manufacturers must test their products according to the relevant harmonised European standard, draw up the DoP, and affix the CE marking. The CE marking is mandatory for products covered by a harmonised standard. The CPR does not set minimum performance levels; it establishes a common technical language for declaring performance characteristics, leaving the setting of minimum requirements to national building regulations.

Why it matters for international businesses

For manufacturers and importers of construction products (structural elements, insulation, windows, doors, facade elements, fire protection products), CPR compliance is the gateway to the EU construction market.