Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/1310 serves as a critical implementation tool for the new Construction Products Regulation (EU) 2024/3110. It establishes the specific Assessment and Verification of Constancy of Performance (AVCP) systems that manufacturers must apply to various families and categories of construction products. By defining these systems, the act ensures that products are assessed according to their intended use and the potential risks they pose to health, safety, and the environment. This regulation is essential for maintaining a harmonized, high-level safety standard across the EU construction market while providing clear procedural guidance for manufacturers.
### Structure and Main Provisions
The regulation is structured into four articles and three comprehensive annexes, which function as the core technical repository for the act:
* **Article 1 (Simplified Procedures):** Establishes that for products deemed to satisfy performance requirements without further testing, the least burdensome system (System 4) applies.
* **Article 2 (Horizontal Characteristics):** Sets out the AVCP systems for essential characteristics that apply across all product families, such as fire performance, dangerous substances, and environmental sustainability.
* **Article 3 (Product-Specific Systems):** Directs the reader to Annex III, which provides a granular, row-by-row breakdown of AVCP systems for specific product categories (e.g., concrete, building hardware, glass).
* **Annexes I, II, and III:** These tables are the heart of the regulation. They map specific product categories to their required AVCP system (ranging from 1+ to 4), ensuring that the level of third-party involvement is proportionate to the product’s safety criticality.
Compared to the previous framework under Regulation (EU) No 305/2011, this act provides a more refined and updated classification, specifically integrating new requirements for environmental sustainability and horizontal characteristics that were not as explicitly detailed in the predecessor.
### Key Provisions for Practical Application
For those operating in the construction sector, the following aspects are of primary importance:
1. **Proportionality of Oversight:** The regulation maintains a tiered approach to compliance. Products critical to life safety (e.g., fire suppression systems, structural bearings) are subject to the most stringent systems (System 1 or 1+), requiring continuous surveillance by a notified body. Conversely, products with lower safety implications are subject to System 3 or 4, allowing for more streamlined manufacturer-led assessments.
2. **Horizontal Integration:** The inclusion of “horizontal” essential characteristics (Annex II) means that regardless of the product family, if a product interacts with soil, groundwater, or indoor air, or if it must meet specific fire performance classes, it must adhere to the specific verification systems defined for those hazards.
3. **Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions:** The act provides a clear “shortcut” for manufacturers. If a product falls under a “deemed-to-satisfy” provision, the manufacturer is explicitly permitted to use System 4, significantly reducing administrative and testing costs.
4. **Clarity on Structural vs. Non-Structural Use:** The annexes frequently distinguish between structural and non-structural applications for the same product category (e.g., concrete products or internal partitions). Manufacturers must be precise in their documentation regarding the “intended use” to ensure they are applying the correct AVCP system.
**:** This regulation is highly relevant to the reconstruction of Ukraine. As Ukraine aligns its technical standards with the European Union, the adoption and application of these harmonized AVCP systems will be mandatory for any construction products intended for the European market or utilized in projects adhering to EU standards. Ukrainian manufacturers and exporters must strictly follow these classification tables to ensure their products meet the necessary conformity requirements for the Single Market.
