EAPA
Statement on European Standards

The current developments in Europe move in the direction of open borders and deregulation. These result in new market possibilities but also increased international competition. Meanwhile there remain large cultural, legal and contractual differences between the several European countries as well as technical barriers to trade. For these reasons, the road construction market to date is still a locally operated industry with few opportunities to cross borders.

The EU Public Procurement Directive will make the use of available European standards mandatory for public works. The EU Construction Products Directive is asking for a minimum safety level (CE Marking) for construction products, including materials for road surfaces, by demanding that these products comply at least with the Essential Requirements. These requirements will have to be translated into resistance to deformation, resistance to skidding, etc. in the product requirements. This directive will further demand the availability of common European Standards and factory production control and, a system for Attestation of Conformity.

Rapidly developing traffic flows, loading and increased tire pressures on one hand and on the other increased user demands for longer lasting, quieter, safer pavements, which are less frequently due for maintenance require optimized asphalt products and enhanced product performance. A common approach in Europe making use of all available knowledge is essential for the present and future safe and efficient European road infrastructure.

All these developments will strongly benefit from the availability of EN's, and in some cases will even require their presence.

Accordingly the European Asphalt Industry believes that European Standards in the field of asphalt are needed, because

• they will support a uniform CE marking and Attestation of Conformity throughout Europe
• they will provide better opportunities for performance oriented requirements and test methods, supporting a sound basis for an essential further product development and producers responsibility
• they create opportunities to benefit easier from proven practise and experiences in other countries by facilitating the exchange between countries and companies
• they will strengthen the industry and its product range
• they will create an economy in R&D, because of a larger application area

In conclusion: the industry realizes that a lot of experience has been build up with existing standards, test methods and work practises, and that the EN's initially have to acknowledge this as a first priority. At a later stage the EN's have to provide however also the possibility from their introduction on to adopt on a voluntary basis also a more fundamental approach to the mix selection, based on functional requirements.

EAPA believes that the European Asphalt Industry is very actively supporting the process of realizing European Standards by providing the secretariat and the chairman to CEN TC/WG1 for bituminous mixtures, and by the enormous manpower resources provided by individual representatives from the industry.

EAPA is therefore calling on CEN for the following actions:

• Completion of testing standards as soon as possible
• Completion of the product standards within the agreed deadlines

You can reach the European Asphalt Pavement Association by e-mail at info@eapa.org and by mail at P.O. BOX 175, 3620 AD Breukelen, The Netherlands.