CE marking on granite products

Since 2003, it has been mandatory to obtain CE marking for some products prepared with natural stone in general, and granite in particular.

The products whose CE marking is mandatory are: stones for interior pavements, exterior pavements and stairways, cobblestones and kerb-stones for exterior paving, plates for façades and other vertical cladding, small tiles (understood as parts of cladding with a thickness less than 12mm) or masonry.

CE marking is not mandatory for semi-prepared products such as quarry blocks, boards or other products that are yet to undergo further manufacturing. CE marking does also no currently apply to kitchen or bathroom counter-tops, or street furniture.

The standards that establish the CE marking requirements for these productsare called harmonised standards, and are as follows:

• UNE-EN 1341: NATURAL STONE PAVING STONES FOR USE AS EXTERIOR PAVING.
• UNE-EN 1342: NATURAL STONE COBBLESTONES FOR USE AS EXTERIOR PAVING.
• UNE-EN 1343: NATURAL STONE KERB-STONES FOR USE AS EXTERIOR PAVING.
• UNE-EN 1469: PLATES FOR WALL CLADDING. REQUIREMENTS.
• UNE-EN 12057: SMALL TILES.
• UNE-EN 12058: PAVING STONES FOR PAVEMENTS AND STAIRWAYS.
• UNE-EN 771-6: NATURAL STONE PARTS FOR MASONRY

In order for a processing company to mark its products with the CE seal, a regular control of its production must be carried out as follows:

1) In-factory controls must be carried out on the dimensions of the prepared products in order to check, as indicated in each standard, whether they meet the dimensional requirements and tolerances.

2) Its products must be tested in a laboratory, whether its own or external, in order to obtain their physical and mechanical properties.

3) Finally, documents must be prepared that will be available to its customers, the first being the DECLARATION OF PERFORMANCE, and the second being the identifying LABEL with the CE mark, which will accompany the product to its destination.

Manufacturers are currently the only ones responsible for this system, in such a way that there are no third parties or intermediary bodies involved in certifying natural stone products. Despite this, the end customer obtains a guarantee that the materials they have bought have been checked in quality and quantity, and meet the applicable European standards.