The Construction Products Regulation, in force since 2013, requires that wood-based panels used in construction must have an appropriate CE marking. The CE marking alone does not mean that the product performance is sufficient for construction.
Wood-based panels that remain permanently in structures are expected to be high-strength and must have a category CE2+ marking. This means that their performance is specified precisely, documented and verified and approved by a third party. All WISA plywood products intended for use in construction have a category 2+ rating.
Plywood products with a CE2+ marking should not be confused with CE4 category plywood products. While CE2+ marked wood-based panels have been checked and approved by a third party, for CE4 rated wood-based panels, the only requirement is that the factory has an internal documented guidance, but the performance is not controlled separately. In terms of performance, CE4 category plywood is ideal for packaging or temporary covers, but it does not have the properties required for use in construction.
CE marking and declaration of performance save time and money
An appropriate CE marking is particularly in the interest of consumers, because the final responsibility for verifying the properties and compliance of construction products lies with the user.
According to the EU regulation, the declarations of performance (DoP) within one product group must have a consistent format. This allows products to be compared with each other quickly and makes it easy to check which products are suitable for specific construction projects.
The product-specific declaration of performance, DoP, helps specifiers to select the correct type and amount of material for each structure, saving money, material and natural resources. For example, a plywood panel that is thinner than traditionally used may have sufficient performance for use in floor structures, which reduces costs and material consumption.
“Using the right product in the right place is ecological and in the interest of all parties,” says Riku Härkönen, Product Manager, UPM Plywood. “There aren’t any unpleasant surprises for the consumer. The product performs as promised, and the consumer won’t pay extra for a product that is too thick or a structure that is too heavy.”
UPM’s customers can search for the DoP of any WISA plywood product using the DoP ID number on our website at www.wisaplywood.com/dop. The DoP ID number can be found either on the plywood panel or in the shipping documents, such as the invoice. If the customer does not have the number, they can search for a DoP using a reference list.