The Construction Products Directive (89/106/EEC) provides for a system of harmonised technical specifications for construction products. There is a suite of European Standards and Guidance Documents dealing with the use of aggregates in concrete, bituminous mixtures, mortar, etc. The standards set out the testing requirements for aggregates depending on their end use and the guidance documents provide further guidance on the use of the standards.
I.S. EN 13242:2002 is a harmonised European Product Standard for "Aggregates for unbound and hydraulically bound materials" for use in civil engineering works. It sets out the rules for producers to demonstrate conformity with the standard. It requires initial type testing before an aggregate is placed on the market, and these tests to be repeated if the aggregate comes from a new source, if there is a major change in raw materials or when the aggregate is to conform to a new requirement.
Standard Recommendation (SR) 21, published by the National Standards Authority (NSAI) in 2004, provides guidance on the use of I.S. EN 13242:2002. It was revised in 2007 to give additional specific guidance on reducing the risk of reactive forms of pyrite being present in material fill for use under concrete floors in dwellings and buildings. The revised standard includes a detailed sample specification which sets out the results expected of hardcore, when tested in accordance withI.S. EN 13242:2002. The pyrite panel, which I set up in September 2011, is due to report to me shortly. On receipt of its report, I will give consideration to any recommendations it may contain in relation to a requirement for a common testing standard for buildings affected by pyrite.