BS EN 17160:2019

What is BS EN 17160 - Product category rules for ceramic tiles about? 

BS EN 17160 is the European standard on ceramic tiles that provides the core product category rules for all construction products and services. 

BS EN 17160 defines Product Category Rules (PCR) providing guidelines and rules for developing a type III environmental declaration (EPD) for ceramic tiles produced by extrusion and dry-pressing techniques, mainly used for internal and/or external floorings and walls coverings and façade cladding. 

BS EN 17160: 

• Define the parameters to be declared and the way in which they are collated and reported 
• Describe which stages of ceramic tiles’ life cycle are considered in the EPD and which processes are to be included in the life cycle stages 
• Defines rules for the development of scenarios 
• Include the rules for calculating the Life Cycle Inventory and the Life Cycle Impact Assessment underlying the EPD, including the specification of the data quality to be applied 
• Include the rules for reporting predetermined, environmental and health information, that is not covered by LCA for a ceramic tile, construction process and construction service where necessary 
• Define the conditions under which ceramic tiles can be compared based on the information provided by EPD. 

NOTE: BS EN 17160 cover: 

• EPD cradle-to-gate (only the production stage is considered);
• EPD cradle-to-grave (the whole life cycle of ceramic tiles is considered). In these types of EPD module D may be included. 

After verification, an EPD is valid for a 5year period from the date of issue, after which it shall be reviewed and verified. 

Who is BS EN 17160 - Product category rules for ceramic tiles for? 

BS EN 17160 on product category rules for ceramic tiles is useful for: 

• Builders 
• Interior designers 
• Manufacturers of ceramic tiles 

Why should you use BS EN 17160 - Product category rules for ceramic tiles? 

Ceramic tile is the tile made from clays and/or other inorganic raw materials and PCR is a set of specific rules, requirements and guidelines for developing Type III environmental declarations for one or more product categories. BS EN 17160 provides the objective of the PCR for ceramic tiles. 

BS EN 17160 specifies product category rules (PCR) which includes information about all ceramic tiles coverings for flooring and/or wall and façade cladding, used for decorative purposes both indoors and outdoors. 

BS EN 17160 describe which stages of ceramic tiles’ life cycle are considered in the EPD and which processes are to be included in the life cycle stages. 

BS EN 17160 provides the compilation of data for a Type III environmental declaration encompassing a single unit process or a group of unit processes that are part of a product's life cycle. 

BS EN 17160 gives the provision of verifiable and consistent ceramic tiles related to technical data for a building or an assembled system for use. 

Moreover, BS EN 17160 guides you on the EPD of ceramic tiles in order to provide clear and comparable information regarding the environmental performance of a product throughout its entire lifetime. In this way, you can obtain the ceramic tiles for your structure ensuring its versatility, durability, low cost and appealing looks.