A further change is that requirements of the regulation apply not only to the finished construction work in which the construction products are used, but also cater to employees and consumers who handle the construction products. The product requirements are to be evaluated in consideration of the products' entire life cycle.
Particular rules apply to the transposition of these product requirements in European standardization mandates and harmonized standards. The European Commission must first draw up delegated acts specifying in detail what safety requirements are to be implemented for a product family. Where standards are established on this basis, their application is voluntary and – once the references to the standards have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union – gives rise to a presumption of conformity with the legislation they support. The regulation makes provision for a separate declaration of conformity for the product-specific requirements.
The draft regulation will be reviewed over the coming months by the various stakeholders at national and European level. It remains to be seen how far the extensive product safety requirements will hold up in the negotiation process. A further point to be considered is whether the intermediate step by way of the delegated act, which also requires the approval of the European Parliament, adequately satisfies the requirements for product safety.