The Ministry of Industry and Trade confirmed the Wood Institute as a TAB

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In March 2025, a regular mandatory inspection was carried out at the TAB department of the VVÚD (Timber Institute) (Subject for Technical Assessment at the Wood Institute) by the determining authority, which is the Ministry of Industry and Trade.The inspection determines whether the TAB meets all the conditions for designation and performance of activities under Regulation (EU) 305/2011.

The Wood Institute was designated as a TAB in December 2021. The inspection focuses primarily on the expertise of the staff, their experience and ongoing training, as well as on impartiality and independence of both customers and the certification body VVÚD. The documentation is also checked, including the instructions for processing the ETA and the procedure for processing the ETA for a specific order. With this confirmation, the Wood Institute continues to issue ETA (European Technical Assessment) documents for the assessment of construction products in the woodworking industry with sales on the European Union markets.The obligation of the TAB VVÚD is also participation in the creation of technical standards, which is ensured, for example, by membership in technical standardization committees, European technical documents and cooperation with other TABs. In the Czech Republic, especially with the TAB coordination office, which is TZÚS Praha, s.p.No deficiencies were found during the inspection and it was confirmed that TAB VVÚD can provide TAB activities for the area of wood and wood-based construction products for another 2 years.What does TAB certify? Everything you need to have a CE mark for. Check out the overview on this page.

Dřevařský útav_zasedání CARB/EPA
Looking back at the meeting of European certification bodies for CARB/EPA
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The 15th meeting of the CARB/EPA European Certification Body (CETPC) group took place in Borås, Sweden, on 8–9 May 2025. This platform brings together 14 certification bodies from across Europe that work in accordance with the American requirements of CARB and EPA – in particular to control formaldehyde emission limits in board materials.
In the Czech Republic, the only representative is the Dřevařský ústav.

The meeting was, as always, an opportunity to share experiences, unify certification procedures and discuss specific problems that certification bodies solve in practice.

The meeting also featured:

  • Online participation by the American certification body CPA (TPC1), who shared their perspective and approach to certification in the USA.
  • Workshop with model situations, e.g. changing the adhesive supplier or using multiple types of adhesives – with the aim of defining a uniform approach to assessing these cases.
  • A contribution from IKEA, presented by Anna Kozyrkova. She presented the upcoming changes to the IOS-MAT internal standards, including an emphasis on:
  • formaldehyde-free foils,
  • use of recycled materials,
  • a new approach to test reports (including attaching photos),
  • and adapting the requirements to REACH legislation.

It is important to emphasize that CETPC is a voluntary platform – membership is not mandatory or legally binding. Nevertheless, it is of great importance for the quality, transparency and uniformity of certification in Europe. This is also because most European certification bodies certify manufacturers supplying IKEA.
Ludmila Kotenová from the Wood Institute comments on the situation: “Collaboration within the CETPC brings practical solutions, strengthens trust in European certification and creates space for smooth communication with global partners such as CARB, EPA or IKEA.”

Wood Institute_CARB/EPA meeting

 

Dřevařský ústav_zasedání SG 20 a CETPC

New challenges in wood panel certification: SG 20 meeting and new CPR legislation

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The 30th meeting of the SG 20 Sector Group of Notified Bodies under the CPR, which covers wood-based panels, flooring and cladding, took place on 7 May 2025. The purpose of this annual event is to coordinate the work of these bodies in the certification of wood-based products and in the development or revision of harmonised standards, so that their staff have all the necessary information and guidance. This year, the meeting also covered the adoption of the new Regulation 3110/2024 of the European Parliament and of the Council (new CPR).

The meeting was chaired by SG20 Chairman Harald Schwab. In his presentation, Mr Anders Elbek, Secretary General of the Advisory Group of Notified Bodies, focused on the key changes that the new CPR brings for Notified Bodies. The new requirements expand the obligations of Notified Bodies within the framework of conformity assessment systems, emphasize coordination of activities at European level and cooperation in the development and updating of harmonised technical standards.

Important information from the meeting includes:

  • The New CPR is already in force, but the practical application of most provisions will only occur with the publication of the relevant new harmonised standards.
  • The first significant standard for the activities of the Wood Institute will most likely be the standard for windows and doors (expected horizon 2–3 years).
  • For wood products, new harmonised standards are expected in 3 years at the earliest. Until then, the old CPR will still apply.
  • The transition to the new CPR will be gradual for product groups – with a target horizon of 2040.

The meetings are regularly attended by 12-15 representatives from a total of approximately 70 entities. Participation in these meetings is not only an obligation arising from the CPR regulation, but also fulfills the conditions of the Wood Institute’s authorization. It is also a key element in ensuring compliance with European legislation.

Ludmila Kotenová from the Wood Institute comments on the situation: “The new requirements for systems for assessing properties and verifying their constancy require increased caution, especially in a period when some entities may operate simultaneously under both the old and new CPR for wood panels, cladding and flooring.”

Information from the meetings is regularly forwarded to the Czech Coordination Office and discussed within the Coordination Office Commission twice a year.

We are entering a challenging period of transformation. Active participation in the creation and implementation of harmonised standards is the key to a smooth transition to the new CPR requirements.

 

Dřevařský ústav_zasedání SG 20 a CETPC

Dřevařský ústav_zasedání SG 20 a CETPC