Buying the right radiator for my home
Consumer guide
Look for the MARC logo or ask for an independent test certificate for a test that has been done by an accredited body (see detail below).
Buying radiators, the facts
It is the LAW that radiators and convectors installed in heating systems in buildings conform to the European Standard BS-EN442. Products that conform will have a 'UKCA'/ ‘CE’ mark.
By placing the UKCA/CE marking on a product a manufacturer is declaring, on his sole responsibility, conformity with all of the legal requirements to achieve UKCA/CE marking. The manufacturer is thus ensuring validity for that product to be sold throughout the European Economic Area.
This legislation is designed to ensure heating engineers, and consumers alike can fairly compare the heat outputs of one radiator against another, so that they can choose the right fit for their home.
ALL products MUST be independently tested BY LAW in a special testing laboratory.
What do I need to know?
Unfortunately, there are some companies out there who “claim” EN442 compliance for the radiators they are selling, either through ignorance, or deliberate deception
This leaves you potentially specifying radiators for projects that may not be suitable for the rooms they are planned for, subsequently leaving you’re customers cold and out of pocket as they have to turn the heating up to get the desired room temperature.
What to look out for
Many brands place a UKCA/CE mark on their products, claiming that the products are safe for the end-customer, and sell them within the EU zone. But that's not always the case. Sometimes the CE mark you can see on a product can be fake.
There are some test certificates on the market which may seem genuine but are not fit for purpose.
Notified body No.
How do I know if a product is genuine?
Any product with UKCA/CE should have a declaration of performance, which may be paper, on the packaging or via a website. This should include various pieces of information amongst which is the “notified body’s” (testing laboratory’s) 4 digit number.
A notified body, is an organisation that has been designated to assess the conformity of certain products, before being placed on the market, with the applicable essential technical requirements.
Current notified bodies for Radiators are;
Name of notified body & address
Contact
1695
Politecnico di Milano - DIP. Energia - Lab. M.R.T.
Via Lambruschini, 4, 20156 Milano MI, Italy
+39(0) 223 993 834
1516
Výzkumný ústav pozemních staveb - certifikační společnost
Pražská 810, 102 00 Praha 15, Czechia
+420(0) 241 412 480
480
BSRIA LTD.
Old Bracknell lane West, Bracknell, Berkshire, RH12 7AH, UK
+44(0) 1334 465600
1428
WSPLAB, DR. ING. Harald Bitter
Kapuzinerweg 7, 70374 Stuttgart, Germany
+49(0) 711 953 9220
1783
Turkish Standards Institution
Necatibey Cad. No:112 06100 Bakanlıklar/ANKARA
+90(0) 312 416 6200
1841
Institutul National de Cercetare
B-dul Maresal Al. Averescu, 8-10 sector 1, 011455 Bucharest
+40(0) 213 160 736
2693
Heatest, s.r.o.
Cp. 84 Býkev, 276 01 Melnnik, Czech Republic
+42(0) 737 284 443
407
Istituto Giordano spa
Via Gioacchino Rossini, 2, 47814 Bellaria RN, Italy
+39(0) 541 343 030
1623
Cetiat - Technical Center Industries Aérauliques Et Thermiques
La DOUA - 25 Avenue des Arts, 69100 Villeurbanne, France
+33(0) 472 444 900
1299
Technicky skusobny ustav Piestany s.p.
Krajinská 2929/9, 921 01 Piešťany, Slovakia
+421(0) 337 957 111
1015
SZU - Strojírenský zkušební ústav
Hudcova 424/56B, CZ-621 00 - Brno- Czech Republic
+42(0) 541 120 111
1452
Institute of Power Engineering (Instytut Energetyki)
Mory 8, 01-330 Warszawa, Poland
+48(0) 223 451 200
Who is responsible?
It is ALL RESELLERS legal responsibility to ensure all products conform. A Reseller could be a heating engineer or a heating merchant/supplies shop. In this case irsap.co.uk are the reseller.
irsap.co.uk are proud of our products’ MARC affiliation, and, as most of our products are of Italian design and manufacture, use Politecnico De Milano for all our testing.
Unfortunately, there are many products on the market which have either not been tested or have been tested in Laboratories that are NOT official “notified bodies”, and as such, they are NOT compliant with the law. Consumers risk being sold products that are not fit for purpose.
If you challenge a seller of radiators – and you should ask for test certificates, and the reseller makes comments such as “it doesn’t matter”, or “it is still a valid test certificate”, or even “nobody polices it”, then buyer beware. You will probably end up with a product that is not fit for purpose.
Do EU rules still apply?
After our separation from the EU, the legislation remains the same. It is simply written into UK law. Irrespective of our removal from the EU.
Consumer protection remains a top priority for the government.
Cost of non genuine product
-
It will not adequately heat the space it was purchased to do
-
In order to heat the room, it will be necessary to run the boiler at higher temperatures than would have been necessary
-
This will burn more fuel and in turn create more CO2 emissions
-
Burning more fuel will increase heating costs
-
This may affect the life cycle of the boiler or heat source
Protecting consumers
But, given so many products out there “flout” the law, what can I do to ensure the product I am buying is above board and complies?
Our advice? Look out for MARC membership! All members of MARC must provide proof of product performance (CE marking), together with test certificates from a “notified body” as part of our membership criteria.
MARC members are committed to being at the forefront of change. Members are proud of their brand and what it stands for. Our aim is to work with every business involved in the manufacturing and supply chain of radiator and convector products.
For more information about MARC please visit www.marcuk.com