Codes & Standards
Introduction
To download a Guide to Codes and Standards for all Ready Mixed Concrete Products and Materials Click Here
To download a copy of "ISEN 206-1 - The New Concrete Standards Click Here
European Standardisation
The process of harmonisation of European standards is steadily progressing in order to facilitate the Single Market. CEN is the body responsible at European level for developing and producing standards for the construction sector.
Many European standards (EN'S) are already issued in the construction sector while many others are reaching the final stages of agreement and ratification. Each national standards body within CEN must publish all European Standards as national standards, following weighted majority approval at formal vote stage (these are referenced as "I.S.EN's")Conflicting national standards must be withdrawn by a specified date, usually 6 to 12 months later. In some specific cases there is an extended period, particularly where a group of interrelated standards are involved.Some of the European Standards are being produced by CEN under formal mandate from the EU Commission in accordance with the Construction Products Directive. These are known as harmonized standards and products produced to these standards will be CE marked.
The first harmonized standard published in the concrete materials sector was EN 197-1 “Common Cements” which was published as I.S.EN 197 – 1. I.S.1 “Portland Cement” and other cements “on the market” are required to be “CE marked” with conformity certified to I.S.EN 197-2 “Conformity Criteria”.
In December 2003 I.S. 326 Part 2 “Guide to Specifying Concrete” was withdrawn and replaced by I.S EN 206-1 Concrete – Part 1: Specification, Performance, Production and Conformity.
At present many standards for other concrete construction products and related test methods are also published with many others due to come forward over the next few years.
