Why CPR Certification Matters for Contractors and Distributors
Safety, compliance, and quality are inseparable from construction project success. Every component, including cables, directly impacts performance and long-term safety. The Construction Products Regulation (CPR) ensures that cables used in fixed installations are tested, certified, and classified for fire performance. While manufacturers are responsible for producing compliant cables, contractors and distributors must ensure that only tested and approved products reach building sites.
CPR, introduced under EU Regulation 305/2011, requires that all power, control, and communication cables are classified according to reaction-to-fire performance, including flame spread, smoke production, flaming droplets, and acidity of gases. Contractors and distributors act as key gatekeepers of compliance, ensuring that these standards are maintained throughout the supply chain.
Contractors play a critical role by specifying the correct Euroclass, verifying documentation such as the Declaration of Performance, and ensuring that the cable carries the CE or UKCA mark. They prevent risks by avoiding non-compliant or counterfeit cables while supporting clients with verified compliance. Distributors must stock only CPR-certified products, maintain traceability through correct labelling and documentation, and educate customers about Euroclass differences, safeguarding both safety and reputation.
BASEC, as a globally recognised Notified Product Certification Body, ensures cables are rigorously tested to EN 50575 and correctly classified. Contractors can use BASEC certification to verify product suitability before installation, while distributors can validate their stock and provide traceable documentation. This process strengthens compliance, minimises risk, and maintains trust across the supply chain.
For contractors and distributors, CPR certification is not simply a box to tick—it is a safeguard against fire risks, project delays, and reputational damage. By ensuring that only tested, certified, and traceable cables are specified and supplied, they uphold the safety and integrity of the entire construction industry. With BASEC’s independent testing and certification, stakeholders across the supply chain can operate with confidence, knowing that the products they use and deliver are not only legally compliant but also contribute to safer, more resilient building infrastructure.
Article by Tugce Simsek - Regional Technical Manager, Europe, UK and Türkiye