Information for the User
The technical approval, ATG: Instilling confidence
The Technical Approval, ATG, is an instrument intended to facilitate acceptance of the product or system covered by the approval, by the Belgian construction sector (insurers, works’ inspection bodies, …) and in particular, by the specifiers (public procurers and architects) and contractors (installers, assemblers). Applying for a Technical Approval, ATG, is a voluntary initiative taken by the holder of the Technical approval, there is no legal requirement that requires products to be covered by a Technical Approval, ATG.
Technical Approvals, ATG, covered unique, innovative and complex products and systems.
Technical approval holders subject their products and systems to an approval and certification process, because they want to inform the Belgian construction sector that the product or system in which the product is being used, is fit for the intended use, is in accordance with the Belgian Works’ legislation and may be installed, incorporated, executed or assembled in accordance with the generally applicable Belgian state of the art and without undue risks and they permit an independent third party to certify their products, ensuring that the product specified in the technical approval text corresponds with the product that is placed on the Belgian market.
A product is not or no longer covered by a technical approval
Applying for a Technical Approval, ATG, is a voluntary initiative taken by the applicant. There is no legal requirement that requires products to be covered by a Technical Approval, ATG.
Technical approval holders subject their products and systems to an approval and certification process, because they want to inform the Belgian construction sector that the product or system in which the product is being used, is fit for the intended use, is in accordance with the Belgian Works’ legislation and may be installed, incorporated, executed or assembled in accordance with the generally applicable Belgian state of the art and without undue risks and they permit an independent third party to certify their products, ensuring that the product specified in the technical approval text corresponds with the product that is placed on the Belgian market.
If a product is not covered by a technical approval, it is possible that the manufacturer simply does not consider it necessary to apply for one, considers the costs involved too important or that the product is considered to be a traditional product and is consequently subjected to the certification rules for the BENOR-mark.
Even if a product is no longer covered by a technical approval, this does not necessarily mean that the product is no longer fit for the intended use. It is possible that the manufacturer decided to end the certification contract with the certification operator, because he considered that the costs or efforts were too significant.
If a product is not or no longer covered by a technical approval, we suggest users to contact the manufacturer and question him on this subject.
Types of technical approvals
For particular products, variants to the Technical approval, ATG, have been developed to reply to the specific needs of subsectors of the construction sector (ATG/D, ATG-E, ATG/H, ATG/S and ATG-M).
Use of the ATG-mark
Technical approval holders may use the ATG-mark on their products, on a label attached to the product, on the packaging of the product or on a commercial document accompanying the product on delivery. Use of the logos of these marks must comply with the rules set out in the Regulations governing the use and control of the ATG figurative mark.
The ATG-mark has been protected and the UBAtc and its operators monitor the market, preventing misuse of the ATG-mark. After all, it is necessary to ensure that the investment of technical approval holders is rewarded. We are committed to taking legal action against persons or organizations that misuse the ATG-mark.
A product covered by a technical approval does not meet expectations
Products covered by technical approvals are subjected to a rigorous approval process and to certification. Nevertheless, it does happen that products covered by technical approvals fail to satisfy users’ expectations.
The UBAtc is an independent third party providing a service to the approval holders and to the construction sector, by issuing technical approval texts. UBAtc is not responsible for the individual products manufactured by the approval holder and not for its use on individual construction sites.
Therefore, in case products covered by a technical approval do not meet expectations, users should first contact the manufacturer concerned. In case users are of the opinion that the products concerned do not correspond with the product specified in the technical approval, we ask you to contact the UBAtc secretariat.
Where can I find invalid technical approvals
On the UBAtc website, you will only find technical approval that are valid and those that are being reviewed. To prevent confusion and misuse, invalid technical approvals are withdrawn from the UBAtc website. Nevertheless, we are regularly confronted with actors in the sector that want to consult withdrawn approvals.
If you want to consult withdrawn technical approvals, a request should be submitted to the UBAtc secretariat, providing the following information (as far as known): reference of the technical approval, the version that you want to consult, name of the manufacturer and trade name of the product or system.
Circulation of construction products on the EU internal market, without barriers to trade
The European Technical Assessment, ETA, is a legal instrument created by the European Construction Products Regulation (Regulation (EU) N° 305/2011). It is an alternative route for manufacturers to obtain the right to draw up and make available a declaration of performance, permitting the manufacturer to affix the CE marking on to his product. If CE marked, the product may circulate in the European Union internal market. In short, the European Technical Assessment provides access to the European market.
Once a European Technical Assessment has been issued, the manufacturer needs to demonstrate conformity of the products placed on the market with the ETA. How this needs to be done, depends on the conformity assessment system that applies for the product. This may be self-assessment, but may also be certification by a notified body.
Applying for a European Technical Assessment, ETA, is only possible if the product is not (yet) covered by a European harmonised standard. European Technical Assessments, ETA, cover products that deviate from the scope of European harmonised standards.
Applying for an ETA is a voluntary initiative taken by the applicant. There is no legal requirement that requires products to be covered by a European Technical Assessment, ETA.
Can a product be covered by an ATG and an ETA?
The Technical approval, ATG, and the European Technical Assessment, ETA, are complementary schemes, with different objectives.
The Technical approval, ATG, provides market acceptance by the Belgian construction sector, the European Technical Assessment, ETA, provides market access in the European Union.
Consequently, it is possible for a product to be covered by a European Technical Assessment, ETA, and by a Technical approval, ATG.
Specifying a technical approval, ATG, in works specifications
Specifiers, architects and designers can simply specify in the construction works specifications that for the materials, products or systems “valid technical approval, ATG, have been issued by the UBAtc in accordance with the UBAtc’s General Approval and Certification Regulations, at the time of the quotation or the execution of the works. If the validity of the ATG is being questioned, the data provided on the front page of the technical approval text is decisive. The scope of the ATG comprises the intended use of the material, product or system in the works specifications. All conditions included in the approval are met.”
If it is necessary that specific performances and/or functional requirements are met by the technical approval, the works specifications may specify “The technical approval explicitly approves the following requirements: …”.
If the law on public procurement applies, the following should be added:
- In the case of a contract for which the estimated value is lower than the applicable threshold for European disclosure: “Reference is made to the ATG-mark, in implementation of Article 54, § 1, of the Law of 17 June 2016 on public contracts, which complies with all conditions stated in the latter provision. In particular, the requirements with regards to the mark only relate to criteria related to the subject of the contract and are suitable for the specification of the characteristics of the works that are the subject of the contract. However, other suitable means of proof are always taken into account, insofar as they demonstrate that requirements concerning the specific mark or specific requirements have been met.”;
- In the case of a contract for which the estimated value is equal to or higher than the relevant threshold of the European notice: “The ATG-mark is required in implementation of Article 54, § 1, of the Law of 17 June 2016 on public contracts and complies with all the conditions stated in this last provision, in particular, the mark requirements only relate to criteria related to the subject of the contract and are suitable for the description of the characteristics of the works that are the subject of the contract.”.
