Assessment of construction products and systems
Framework
LNEC currently issues four types of technical assessment documents for construction products and systems, freely accessible to the technical community: Homologation Documents (DH), Classification Documents (DC), European Technical Assessments (ETA), and Application Documents (DA).
From a legal framework perspective, there is a clear distinction between the four types of documents. Homologation Documents, European Technical Assessments, and Classification Documents are mandatory, whereas Application Documents are voluntary.
In the case of an innovative construction product or system intended to be placed on the national market, the manufacturer must possess either a Homologation Document (DH) issued by LNEC or a European Technical Assessment (ETA), issued by LNEC or another designated body for that purpose. If the product is covered by an ETA, the manufacturer must also prepare a declaration of performance and affix the corresponding CE marking to the product.
Homologation Documents apply to innovative construction products and systems (not covered by standards or other normative documents) and have a legal framework in national legislation.
European Technical Assessments apply to construction products and systems not covered or only partially covered by a harmonized European standard and have a legal framework in European legislation. They apply to innovative products, for which they are best suited, and to traditional products covered by European normative documents (except harmonized European standards) or by national normative documents.
Classification Documents are issued exclusively for steel for reinforced concrete reinforcement and have a legal framework in national legislation, whereas Application Documents can be issued for the generality of construction products and systems and are intended to provide manufacturers with additional guarantees regarding expected performance in work.
Application Documents constitute an added value for manufacturers by providing additional guarantees regarding the expected performance in work for their respective construction products and systems, being of a voluntary nature.
If you would like more information about these documents, please send an email to: lnec@lnec.pt
