8.1 The Construction Products Directive (CPD)

The main function of the CPD is to regulate and ensure the safety of the construction industry operating within the EU. The essential performance criteria outlined within the CPD are:

• Mechanical resistance and stability,

• Safety in case of fire,

• Hygiene, health and the environment,

• Safety in use,

• Protection against noise, and

• Energy economy and heat retention.

It is important to understand that the performance requirements relate to the total construction and not just the individual component parts, i.e., in the context of this review the total construction is the asphalt road. In support of the CPD requirements, the development of a series of European asphalt product standards is in progress and at the time of writing these are expected to be published in 2006. Product standards which define the performance characteristics of asphalt's main constituents, namely aggregates and bitumen, have, however, already been published. These are BS EN 13043 (a.28) and BS EN 12591 (a.29), respectively. Table 6 lists the paving grade bitumens contained within the scope of EN 12591.

The CPD permits three routes to compliance:

• Manufacture in accordance with European Product Standards (Euronorms, i.e., EN)

• Obtain a European Technical Approval (ETA), or

• Manufacture in accordance...