Background to the European approach
There are currently a large number of different tests used across the EU for assessing the reaction to fire and fire resistance performance of construction products. The variation and differences between these existing national tests means that translation or comparison of performance of a product when assessed by different methods is impossible. Additionally these test methods are linked to the relevant national regulatory requirements so pan-European changes are not easy.

Construction Products Directive (CPD)
The practical implementation of the CPD heralds a major change in the placing of construction products on the European market. Under the CPD, products must conform to the relevant European Technical Specification which in turn calls up European tests for fire and other properties. Satisfying these requirements and demonstrating compliance (attesting conformity) allows a manufacturer to CE mark his product.

New European fire test standards
The new European fire test standards (ENs) that have been produced have been adopted, unchanged, as British Standards. This applies to all the other countries in the EU. This means that e.g. BS EN ISO 1182 will have technical and editorial equivalence with DIN EN 1182 and NF EN 1182.

• EN 13501-1 – Fire classification of construction products and building elements. Classification using test data from the following tests: 
• EN ISO 11925-2 – Ignitability of building products subjected to direct impingement of flame. Single-flame source test
• EN 13823 – Building products excluding floorings exposed to the thermal attack by a single burning item
• EN ISO 9239-1 – Horizontal surface spread of flame on floor-covering systems. Determination of the burning behaviour using a radiant heat source 
• EN ISO 1716 – Determination of the heat of combustion
• EN ISO 1182 – Non-combustibility test

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