ONLINE TRAINING COURSE
Chapter 6 - Handbooks

Best Practice on Certification of Innovative Solutions

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In this lesson, we explore the critical path to certifying innovative solutions in the construction industry. Developed as part of the PLURAL project, this lesson provides a roadmap for manufacturers and stakeholders looking to navigate the certification process for non-standardized, advanced building components like Plug-and-Use (PnU) kits. The certification ensures that novel solutions meet regulatory standards, paving the way for broader market acceptance and establishing credibility.

Key Objectives of this Handbook:

  • Understanding Certification for Innovation: Learn about the unique challenges of certifying innovative products and how certification can validate a product’s safety, performance, and market readiness. We’ll examine the European Technical Assessment (ETA) route for CE marking, essential for PnU kits intended for building renovations across the EU.

  • Navigating the Pre-Standardization Process: Discover the importance of pre-standardization, which prepares a product for certification during its design and prototype stages. By mapping out applicable technical, safety, health, and environmental standards early, manufacturers can streamline the path to certification, reduce time-to-market, and enhance process efficiency.

  • Developing Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs): Understand how EPDs serve as a sustainability certification, providing detailed information on a product’s environmental impacts. This lesson covers the process of creating Type III Ecolabels (EPDs), which use Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to assess and communicate the ecological impact of products like PnU kits, adding value in today’s eco-conscious market.

This handbook emphasizes the need for continuous dialogue between developers and certification entities to ensure a smooth innovation process. By understanding certification requirements and pre-standardization strategies, stakeholders can bring new products to the market confidently and efficiently, setting a benchmark for quality and sustainability in modern construction.