Mark of conformity in the context of national technical approvals

In Germany, as a member state of the EU, the general technical approval (abZ) and the Ü mark may only be used for products that do not bear a CE mark. The European Construction Products Regulation (EU) No. 305/2011 describes basic requirements for hygiene, health and environmental protection for construction works and the placing on the market and use of CE marks for construction products in the EU. A construction product may only or must only be labelled with the CE mark if it falls within the scope of a harmonised standard or another European assessment document (e.g. European Assessment Document, EAD). For these construction products, the CE mark is the only mark permitted under construction law, even if the harmonised standards currently published in the EU Official Journal hardly describe any declarations of performance with regard to health protection. However, many new EADs include requirements for product emissions.

Products that are not covered by a harmonised standard can be regulated nationally. A national building inspection certificate may then be required with regard to health protection.

In Germany, the German Institute for Structural Engineering (DIBt) is responsible for central building law matters on behalf of the Conference of Building Ministers of the federal states, such as updating the model building regulations and the model administrative regulations (MBO and MVVTB). In accordance with the administrative regulations for technical building regulations (VV TB) of the federal states, there are requirements regarding the release of volatile organic compounds, see Model Administrative Regulation for Technical Building Regulations (MVV TB), A 3.2.1, Annex 8. The DIBt issues general technical approvals (abZ) for products that are not regulated in Europe, if necessary. These are the basis for labelling with the Ü mark (mark of conformity).

The eco-INSTITUT is a recognised test centre for emission tests within the scope of building authority approvals. Further information on the German Institute for Building Technology (DIBt) and EADs can be found here and on the CE mark here.

Subject to change; last updated: August 29th, 2024