Every kind of construction material used in the European Union requires a certification of safety that is depicted by the CE marking. To be fit for purpose, tile adhesives have to reach the safety standards at stated by the British Standards.

The safety order test is there to protect the public when they are purchasing any product; like all construction materials, in order to be used in Europe, adhesives have to pass this. This can include adhesives for tiles, plastic water pipes, gypsum blocks, metallic components and timber. The BS EN 12004 is the minimum requirement that is needed in order for a tile adhesive to pass the test to conform. This marks the perfect British Standard and is far more descriptive as to its properties as compared to the former British Standard BS 5980. Dispersion, performance and reactions are all included in the series of tests which adhesives have pass in order to be classified into separate catergories.

The newly introduced tests are far more detailed as to what were carried out earlier for meeting safety standards. There are many factors to be considered on whether a product is safe to use or not; the following have been included in the newly formed safety tests – the ability to withstand warpness, water resistance, the ability to stretch and slipperiness. It is a requirement of manufacturers to declare that the proudct meets the basics of these outlined characteristics in order to prove the adhesive meets British Standards. The product will be marked by the manufacturer under a certain catergory that will instantly confirm that it is safe for use.

There are prerequisites which are compulsory and are stated in the directive for BS EN 12004 but it does not necessarily mean that all CE marked adhesives conform to this. Having a CE marking only implies that it has passed the general standard that allows it to be sold in the European Union markets but it does not ensure full safety of the product as per the new British Standard. Heat ageing, freezing and thawing tests all have to be passed before an adhesive can be considered fit for BS EN 12004 standards. These tests however, are not included in order to pass the CE certification. The durability of the product however needs to pass the Construction Products Directive.

Checking the markings, before you buy on any product is advisable. Products should hold both the CE and the BS EN 12004 certification. Ensure you check thoroughly before purchasing to ensure this. Even if you find both the markings on the label go through the contents to ensure that the adhesive meets the heat ageing and freeze/thaw requirements. To know that this property does not exist in the adhesive you need to look out for a no performance determined or NPD sign or maybe a value such as N/mm2, which is lower than 0.Durability is measured with 5N/mm2.

The CE and the BS EN 12004 marks are classification ratings that are set by the manufacturer to show the product you are buying passes all safety norms.

With these kind of checks in place the public can rest assured whether decorating the bathroom, with those gorgeous ceramic bathroom tiles or choosing a tile design for your kitchen, each product has had to pass the safety checks in place.

 

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