Annex E. Marking and Approvals

This annex lists the most common labelling schemes for materials, constructions, and installations for use in wet rooms.

Several products must carry the CE mark prior to marketing, selling, and use within the EU. This includes building materials subject to a regulated standard or a European Technical Assessment (ETA).

It is the responsibility of the manufacturer to ensure that the product meets applicable directives. In certain cases, third-party controls are made during testing and certification.

The CE-mark gives the manufacturer the right to market the product, but not necessarily the right for the product to be used for the intended application. This is because there may be national requirements which will have to be met in addition to those required in obtaining a CE-mark.

For waterproofing stud walls or constructions containing organic materials, the Building Regulations stipulate the use of appropriate materials and constructions. Waterproofing systems, seamless coverings, etc., are considered suitable if they are specified in these Guidelines or are subject to an approval adapted to national Danish requirements (e.g., an MK approval or an ETA (European Technical Assessment)).

Other solutions, like special wall constructions, prefabricated shower stalls, or water supply and sanitary installation frames must be constructed according to applicable rules. These solutions can generally be used, on condition that specific documentation is prepared to evidence their compliance with applicable performance requirements (notably that of being watertight). Documentation that the products meet relevant performance requirements can be obtained by testing according to identical or corresponding methods as for wet room constructions, waterproofing systems, or water supply installations.

Approvals are recommended as the safest and easiest way to document that products, systems, and water supply and sanitary installations meet the performance requirements, etc., stipulated in the Building Regulations and ancillary guidelines.

According to Regulation (EU) 305/2011 about harmonised conditions for the marketing of construction products (Byggevareforordningen), European Technical Assessments (ETAs) can be issued (based on Danish European Technical Assessments) for all products not subject to harmonised standards. For these products, the ETA forms the basis for issuing a performance declaration and CE mark.

In Denmark, ETAs are issued by ETA-Danmark, are accredited by DANAK, and are authorised by the Danish Energy Agency to be issued according to the harmonised conditions for the marketing of construction products (Byggevareforordningen) (EU) 305/2011. The notification applies to all product areas subject to the scheme.

The ETA is voluntary and specifically aimed at innovative and/or complex building products or construction systems. The ETA is issued when no harmonised standard exists or is anticipated in the near future (as in the case of wall systems or waterproofing kits for wet rooms).

The ETA specifies and focuses on the properties of specific products from certain manufacturers for specific applications. For wet rooms, an ETA will typically consist of several materials which together provide the required performance.

A European Technical Assessment is normally issued on the basis of testing according to common European test methods described in EN standards or EOTA guidelines.

The MK approval scheme for materials and constructions (MK) primarily includes those materials and constructions, etc., which cannot be judged exclusively on the basis of applicable law. In this context, they are judged according to Building Regulations and ancillary guidelines, norms, and standards referred to in the Building Regulations and secondary specifications for guidelines issued to support the Building Regulations.

The approvals are used to document that the approved product meets the functional requirements stipulated in the Building Regulations and ancillary guidelines. In the case of wet rooms, they apply to wall systems or waterproofing kits for wet rooms, for example. In this case, the MK approval can replace, or be used in conjunction with, an ETA.

MK approvals are also suited to innovative building products, as this approval enables manufacturers to document that their product is suitable for a specific application and complies with the Danish Building Regulations.

MK approvals can also be issued for CE-marked products.

In this case, MK approvals serve as documentation for the product being used in Denmark according to Danish law.

MK approvals are issued on the basis of testing and assessment, documenting that the applicable terms for obtaining the approval have been met. Like the ETA, the approval applies to a specific product/system and for a specific field of application.

The Building Regulations no longer require MK approval of materials and constructions. The MK approval is only described as a means to document that Building Regulation requirements have been met in chapter 8.5.3.1, § 2, and 8.5.3.4, § 1, which concern flue systems.

Therefore, MK approvals presently function as a voluntary scheme, documenting that Building Regulation requirements have been met.

The VA-approval scheme concerns the mechanical/physical properties of fixtures and fittings for water supply and wastewater installations.

The former VA-approval scheme concerning household water supply installations was replaced in the 2010 Building Regulations, (with modifications as of 1 January 2012 (Bekendtgørelse no. 1314, 2012)) by a new marking scheme entitled ’Building components in contact with drinking water’ (In Danish: GDV). The new approval scheme is solely concerned with the product's health-related properties and seeks to ensure that taps, water pipes, and valves meet a series of health-related requirements. The new scheme is administered by the Danish Technological Institute.

The existing VA scheme concerning the mechanical/physical properties of a product will continue as a voluntary scheme.

Building Regulation requirements stipulate that water supply and wastewater installations be designed to offer adequate safety in terms of fire, function, and health. To obtain this mark, see DS 432, Code of practice for Sanitary Drainage - Wastewater Installations, DS 439, Code of Practice for domestic water supply systems, and Rørcenter-anvisning 011, Vacuumsystemer i bygninger (Vacuum Systems in Buildings).

The value of the VA mark remains unchanged because ETA-Danmark A/S (as an independent approval body) can approve the quality of a product based on applicable legislation. This documents that the product meets the functional requirements stipulated in the Building Regulations as well as Danish standards for water supply and wastewater systems.

VA approvals are issued based on testing and assessment, documenting that the applicable terms for obtaining the approval have been met.

A Technical Approval for Application (TGA) for materials and constructions, etc., for the building trade includes products already awarded an ETA (European Technical Assessment) in accordance with the harmonised conditions for the marketing of construction products (Byggevareforordningen), for example. Therefore, issuing a TGA assumes that the overall basis for documentation and all outcome requirements have been formalised (e.g., in the form of an ETA).

 A TGA can be issued for the product based on the declared values in the ETA and assuming that the overall construction and integration of the product meet the requirements stipulated in the applicable Building Regulations and ancillary guidelines, norms, and standards to which the Building Regulations refer.

The TGA serves as documentation for the legality of using the product in Denmark (since the ETA and the subsequent CE marking do not, in themselves, reflect the requirements stipulated in the Danish Building Regulations and ancillary guidelines).