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GPDA in Europe...

European legislation is having an increasing influence on the way gypsum products are produced, specified and used.  Issues such as impact on the environment, harmonisation of standards, CE marking, reduction of waste and health and safety are already being addressed by the gypsum industry on a European scale.

The GPDA is an active member of Eurogypsum, the European Federation of national associations of producers of gypsum products whose prime aim is to promote both the products and interests of these producers. It undertakes joint research projects on relevant scientific, technical-economic and legal matters and by initiating information and public relations programmes. It places particular emphasis on dialogue with European governmental institutions and for this reason a Eurogypsum representation office was opened in Brussels in 1996.

There are three working committees:

• one for scientific and technical matters
• one for environmental and raw materials, and
• one for economic issues and public relations

There are other European organisations which also have an influence on European developments. The Council of European Producers for Materials for Construction (CEPMC) represents the interests of its members - the National Council of Building Material Producers in the UK and the Building Materials Confederation in Ireland - on issues such as the implementation of the Construction Products Directive, fire protection in construction and environmental issues. Eurogypsum is an associate member of this organisation.

Through these organisations, and also through the BSI, members of the GPDA make an enormous contribution to the development of harmonised standards in Europe. There are currently nine formal and ad-hoc committees working on CEN standards relating to gypsum products, including acoustic properties, fire safety, dry lining, plasters and floor screeds. TC241 which deals with gypsum products is currently working on 17 standards dealing with the definitions, requirements and test methods for gypsum products. It is expected that the first of these will be produced by the year 2000.

For its part, Eurogypsum is also working on a multi-lingual lexicon of gypsum products enabling the translation of terms related to gypsum products and systems between English, French and German. This is a revised version of a 1975 document, since when technology and the understanding of different national approaches has moved on.