Why ETAG 034 Matters
Want to market your HPL façade kit anywhere in the EU? You need a CE mark. For ventilated cladding, that stamp comes from following ETAG 034 (now “EAD 090062-00-0404” if you like official terms). No CE mark → no legal sale. Simple as that.
Part 1 — What ETAG 034 Covers
| Part | What It Checks | Plain-Talk Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| I. Cladding Kit | Panels, sub-frame, anchors | Does the whole “kit” stay on the wall? |
| II. Mechanical Fixings | Clips, screws, rivets | Will they snap or rust? |
If your HPL panels and rails come from one supplier (like Samrat + its bracket partner), you tick Part I. If you only sell clips, you tick Part II.
Part 2 — From ETA to CE Mark in Four Easy Steps
- Pick a Notified Body
Search “NB Cyprus ETAG 034” online; a few labs in Greece and Italy cover the island. - Send Samples + Drawings
They do the heavy tests—wind, impact, fire, freeze-thaw. - Receive Your ETA (European Technical Assessment)
Think of it as a “passport” for your kit. - Draft the DoP (Declaration of Performance)
List the results, sign it, and you can print that CE logo on every pallet.
Time? About 8–12 weeks, quicker if your kit already uses components with test data (Samrat HPL’s B-s1,d0 fire report helps).
Part 3 — Quick Look at the Test Matrix
| Test | What It Simulates | Pass Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Wind Load | Cyprus gusts (≈ 25 m/s) | Use 600 mm rail spacing. |
| Soft-Body Impact | A football hit | Add one clip mid-span. |
| Hygrothermal | Hot days + sea air | Stick to SS 304 clips near the coast. |
| Reaction to Fire | EN 13501-1 rating | Choose FR-grade HPL (B-s1,d0). |
All results drop straight into your DoP table—no extra math.
Part 4 — Your One-Page Dossier Checklist
- ✔️ Test reports (wind, impact, fire)
- ✔️ ETA certificate PDF
- ✔️ Declaration of Performance (signed)
- ✔️ Panel & bracket drawings (PDF/DWG)
- ✔️ Installation manual (clear pictures)
Keep these five docs in a single cloud folder. When a client or inspector asks, share the link—done.
Key Take-Aways for Cyprus Contractors
- CE mark = legal ticket to sell HPL kits across Europe.
- ETAG 034 is the rulebook; follow Parts I & II.
- Four steps: pick lab → test → get ETA → sign DoP.
- Use ready fire-rated HPL to speed approval.
- One tidy dossier keeps inspectors happy and Google searches pointing at your “CE-marked HPL Cyprus” service page.