Director of roofing supplies firm slams CE Marking ‘apathy’

Companies in the construction industry are failing to take recent legal changes seriously and the consequences could see firms shutting down.

This is the view of a Director at a fast-growing roofing supplies company. Adrian Cooper at LB Supplies, which also trades as LB Roof Windows, has spoken out following the passing of a law that requires all manufactured structural metal components and kits made in the UK or imported, to be CE marked.

As of July 1st 2014 any products fitting this criteria, and to which a harmonised European standard applies, must comply with the Construction Products Regulation (CPR) and CE marking requirements.

This comes a year after a similar deadline passed in the glass and glazing sector.

Adrian comments: “The reality is that if you are involved in structural steelwork, metal components & kits and aluminium structures, CE marking is a must. It’s not an optional extra, it’s the law!

“But what we’ve seen is a lot of apathy and many companies simply not bothering to invest any time or resources to become compliant. There is nothing stopping trading standards shutting these businesses down.”

According to the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) after July 1^st 2014 it is illegal to trade fabricated steelwork and related products on the European market without meeting this standard.

CE Marking is regulated by criminal law and the penalties for not CE Marking or incorrect CE Marking, if found guilty, are a fine, imprisonment or both.

According to Adrian, LB Supplies invested nearly a year of time, energy and resources to ensure all products supplied by their company are CE Marked and fully compliant with BS EN 1090:1:2009.

LB Supplies also comply with all the requirements of the ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System, awarded by TUV a UKAS Accredited Inspection Organisation.

“We take every effort to improve standards in our industry seriously – manufacturing processes and expectations are evolving and suppliers need to meet these changing standards. Yes it can be bureaucratic and timely but it’s a minimum requirement and the fact that LB Supplies exceeds this criteria sends out a positive message to all our customers” Adrian concludes.

LB Supplies supply conservatory roof accessories including tie bars and tie wires, roof vent accessories, roof windows and roof domes and many other products.

For more information call LB Supplies on 01623 624500 or visit  and www.lbroofwindows.co.uk