The European Technical Assessment (ETA) marking is one of the most important that a quality, modern membrane should have. It confirms compliance with the requirements of the European Union and adherence to the established standards for the manufacture, storage and distribution of construction materials. It is a sign of good quality and a guarantee of safety in the use of an innovative product. Why is it so important in roofing and what can be the consequences of using a membrane that has not passed such verification?
The European Technical Assessment is a method of confirming the conformity of an innovative product entering the market to European Union standards for materials used in construction. The ETA opens commercial frontiers in the European market for manufacturers of modern solutions such as roofing membranes. At the same time, it certifies that the newly developed product is reliable and qualitative. This helps make innovative developers more successful and strengthens Europe's global competitiveness in the construction sector. For roofers themselves, however, the use of an ETA-marked membrane is first and foremost a guarantee of much safer work. For investors, on the other hand, the certainty that the material used will be fully efficient and durable, exactly as the manufacturer promises.
ETA in roofing - a guarantee of safety and functionality
ETA is a guarantee of maximum safety and reliability of newly developed solutions. This is especially important in the roofing industry, because working at height involves the risk of dangerous and even fatal falls. Untested materials can be of poor quality and fail to perform fully. Sudden ruptures or low weather resistance are just a few of the many hazards that can impede the job. Using an ETA-certified product in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions ensures full protection during construction work and minimizes the risk of accidents.
Passing such verification proves that the membrane will indeed perform its function and protect the roof for a certain period of time. For builders, it's a guarantee that it will last for the period declared by the company and - as assured - will protect the structure from heavy rain, wind or extreme temperatures, among other things. Thus, you can fully trust the supplier that the material is durable and functional.
ETA certification is one of the most important in the construction industry. Passing the verification, in addition to assuring you that the product is safe to work with and reliable, also provides a guarantee that any membrane you purchase will perform its function. The designation is at the same time a confirmation that any product is tested in the same way, so you can fully rely on its performance," says Piotr Pytel, technical advisor and expert at Dorken Delta.
Assumptions of the European Technical Assessment
The European Technical Assessment is used when a harmonized standard (hEN- Harmonized Standards) cannot be used at all or in its entirety for a given product, among other reasons, due to the need to quickly introduce newly developed and revolutionary products to the market. This is important in achieving the goals of the European Green Deal and Europe's digital decade. Sustainable and innovative products are usually not at least fully covered by existing harmonized standards. The ETA is intended to help implement them into the European market in a safe and timely manner. The assessment can be carried out by one of the Technical Assessment Bodies (TABs) established by the European Organization for Technical Assessment (EOTA). In Poland, these include the Building Research Institute, the Scientific and Research Center for Fire Protection and the Research Institute for Roads and Bridges.1 The entire procedure takes an average of 5 months.2
ETA has also become a recognizable brand that brings sales success. According to a survey by the Center for Industrial Studies, among surveyed manufacturers of construction products, relevant business associations and Technical Assessment Bodies, 87 percent admitted that they consider ETA to be a well-known brand that can be used in marketing efforts. The certification also has positive economic effects. 69 percent of those surveyed3 felt that having it had a good impact on a company's reputation, which in some cases was key to staying in the market or increasing market share and raising sales.4
ETA builds customer confidence in new products and evaluation methods. The awarding of certification requires transparency so that specifiers, designers and contractors can base their product selection on reliable product performance data that is comparable across Europe and consistent with prevailing European design and performance standards. For this reason, we always ensure that all Dorken membranes are ETA-certified," says Piotr Pytel, technical advisor and expert at Dorken Delta.
When choosing roofing materials, ETA is one of the most important certifications you should pay attention to. It is this designation that will help increase the safety of work on the roof and realistically certify the reliability of the product and its quality.
1 EOTA, TABs - Find a partner for your ETA, https://www.eota.eu/tabs
2 EOTA, What is an ETA?, https://www.eota.eu/what-is-an-eta
3 EOTA, How the ETA route to CE marking benefits the construction sector, https://www.eota.eu/sites/default/files/uploads/News%20Articles%27%20Docs/20211129_vle_10plus_ETA_benefits.pdf
4 Centre for Industrial Studies, EADs and ETAs: Added value to the construction sector, https://www.eota.eu/sites/default/files/uploads/EOTA%20positions/2020-csil-eota-report-0109.pdf
