Solar keymark
The Solar Keymark Association is an official quality mark of the European Committee for Standardization (CEN), developed with ESTIF to overcome the varying testing and certification requirements in different EU countries. It guarantees the quality of solar thermal products (see solar hot water), in particular panels or complete compact systems.
The Solar Keymark is a voluntary third-party certification mark for solar thermal products, demonstrating to end-users that a product conforms to the relevant European standards and fulfills additional requirements. The Solar Keymark is used in Europe and increasingly recognized worldwide. The Solar Keymark is a CEN/CENELEC European mark scheme, solely dedicated to:
- Solar thermal collectors (based on European standard series EN 12975)
- Factory made solar thermal systems (based on European standard series EN 12976)
The Solar Keymark was developed by the European Solar Thermal Industry Federation (ESTIF) and CEN (European Committee for Standardisation) in close co-operation with leading European test labs and with the support of the European Commission. It is the main quality label for solar thermal products and is widely spread across the European market and beyond.
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[edit] The difference between the Solar Keymark and the CE-mark
The Solar Keymark is a quality label and the CE mark just attests that the product fulfills minimum legal requirements according to specific European directives.
[edit] Benefits of Solar Keymark
The Solar Keymark was created to certify solar thermal products of high quality at European level. The aim is to reduce trade barriers and promote the use of high quality solar thermal products in the European market and beyond.
[edit] The Solar Keymark for manufacturers
- simpler testing procedure
- one test valid for all European countries
- freedom of choice amongst the accredited test labs
- easier introduction of new products in different European countries
- simplified procedures for replacing components in certified products
[edit] The Solar Keymark for consumers
- high quality products
- guarantee that the product sold is identical to the tested product
- confirmation that products are FULLY tested according to the relevant standards
- eligibility for subsidies
[edit] 8 reasons why you - as a manufacturer - need the Solar Keymark
- Reduced testing and administration costs
- Certified product
- Enhanced customer confidence
- New opportunities to increase your turnover
- Better image for your company
- Enduring quality image of the solar thermal industry
- “Passport” to European solar thermal markets
- Access to subsidy schemes
[edit] How to obtain the Solar Keymark?
A Solar Keymark can only be issued by an empowered “certification body” after the product has been tested by an accredited “test lab”. The certification body is the organisation responsible for awarding Solar Keymark certificates and the test lab is the organisation responsible for all the testing. To obtain Solar Keymark certification it is essential that the product tested is a sample taken randomly from the current production or stock by an independent inspector. Furthermore, the production and Quality Management System as implemented at the factory will be checked by an independent inspector on site. The certification bodies are empowered by the CEN Certification Board (CCB).
To initiate the Solar Keymark certification process, the best way is to contact one or more certification bodies. The certification body will then advise the customer on the procedure to follow - the first step is usually to fill in an application form. Some certification bodies only work with specific test labs.
On the Solar Keymark website www.solarkeymark.org, you will find latest updates and news about the Solar Keymark as well as the current list of empowered certification bodies and accredited test labs.
[edit] Empowered certification bodies
- TSÚ Piešťany (Slovak republic)
- DIN CERTICO (Germany)
- ICIM (Italy)
- Kiwa Gastec Certification (the Netherlands))
- ELOT (Greece)
- SP (Sweeden)
- CERTIF (Portugal)
- AENOR (Spain)
[edit] Accredited test labs for solar thermal products
- ANTL (Australia)
- ASiC Austria Solar (Austria)
- CENER (Spain)
- Demokritos (Greece)
- ENEA (Italy)
- Eurofins - Modulo Uno S.p.A. (Italy)
- Fraunhofer ISE (Germany)
- INTA (Spain)
- Intertek Guangzhou (China)
- ISFH (Germany)
- ISTITUTO GIORDANO S.p.A. (Italy)
- ITC (Spain)
- ITW/TZS (Germany)
- IZES (Germany)
- KIWA (Netherlands)
- LNEG (Portugal)
- Pa.L.Mer.(Italy)
- SP (Sweden)
- SPF (Switzerland)
- TSÚ Piešťany (Slovakia)
- TÜV Rheinland (Germany)
- TÜV Rheinland - PTL (USA)
- TÜV Rheinland - Shanghai (China)
