Innovations
Innovation: CE marking for insulating glass units with pressure equalisation
Integrated into the glazing edge of multi-pane insulating glass units, Swisspacer Air ensures continuous pressure equalisation with the environment and thus mitigates climate loads. Insulating glass units with Swisspacer Air have been recognised as regulated construction products on the German market since 2019 thanks to the national technical approval (abZ) from the DIBt. In cooperation with Swisspacer and the Saint-Gobain Glassolutions Isolierglas-Center, the foundations have now been laid to enable CE marking via an ETA.
As a small component in the glazing edge of insulating glass units, the Swisspacer Air can minimise damage that can be caused by excess or negative pressure in the cavity between the panes – for example as a result of height differences during transport or due to climatic loads. The permanent pressure relief ensures that the insulating glass unit retains its function and quality in the long term. The risk of curved panes, glass breakage and premature ageing due to excessive stress on the glazing edge is significantly reduced.
If insulating glass units are labelled with Swisspacer Air, they are considered regulated construction products in Germany due to the abZ. However, CE labelling is essential for international sales. Manufacturers use it to declare that their product fulfils the applicable requirements of the Construction Products Regulation. For glass in the construction industry, this is regulated by the EN 1279 standard, which only covers sealed multi-pane insulating glass units.
CE labelling with the ETA
Another option is the “European Technical Assessment”, or ETA for short. This enables manufacturers to obtain CE labelling for their products. The ETA can be applied for construction products that are not or not fully covered by a harmonised standard – as is the case with Swisspacer Air.
The basis for issuing an ETA is a technical specification that contains the relevant assessment procedures, the so-called “European Assessment Document”, EAD. Like a harmonised standard, this EAD is considered a harmonised technical specification. For insulating glass units where the cavity between the panes is not hermetically sealed, precisely this basis was previously lacking.
The Saint-Gobain Isolierglas-Center and Swisspacer have jointly developed the basic EAD for pressure-equalised insulating glass units and created an initial ETA on this basis. Both have now been approved by the EU. The complex process was accompanied by ift Rosenheim, which also carried out the tests on Swisspacer Air as part of the DIBt approval.
Better conditions for sales
“Many insulating glass manufacturers and window manufacturers sell their products throughout the EU,” says Sarah Sattler, Sales and Marketing Manager at Swisspacer. CE labelling is a prerequisite for the unrestricted movement of goods within Europe. And it gives building owners the certainty that a building product functions perfectly.
“For us, it is a matter of course to support our customers in making the most of the market potential for pressure-equalised insulating glass units,” emphasises Sarah Sattler. “That’s why we worked with our colleagues at Glassolutions to get the process up and running – and are delighted to have the first ETA for pressure-equalised insulating glass units reviewed and approved by the EU.”
ETA for insulating glass units with Swisspacer Air
The ETA, which is now available to Glassolutions, defines, among other things, the performance of the Swisspacer Air, namely how quickly pressure equalisation takes place in the cavity between the panes. The relevant basis is a time constant that varies depending on the insulating glass structure.
The EAD lays the foundation for all manufacturers of insulating glass units to start a process to obtain an ETA – and thus CE marking – for their insulating glass products with Swisspacer Air. “We want to help our customers in this process in the best possible way and are happy to share our experience,” emphasises Sarah Sattler. “Interested parties can contact us directly.” Companies can use the contact marketing@swisspacer.com to exchange experiences.
With the Caluwin online tool, insulating glass manufacturers and window manufacturers can already check whether the use of Swisspacer Air can achieve the pressure equalisation required to prevent damage from climatic loads. And this can be done individually for specific insulating glass units and for given boundary conditions such as climate zones and differences in height during transport.
