Swiss insulation material manufacturer Rockwool Schweiz Flumroc has made all Performance Declarations (Declaration of Performance, DoP) of its product range publicly accessible. What at first glance looks like a bureaucratic routine act is actually an indicator of the tightened transparency requirements of the EU Construction Products Regulation. Those who document incompletely here risk not only fines, but above all losing access to the European single market.
What are Performance Declarations – and why should you as a processor pay attention to them?
Since the EU Construction Products Regulation (EU) No. 305/2011 came into force, every manufacturer is obliged to provide a Performance Declaration for CE-marked construction products. In it, they document which essential characteristics the product has – such as lambda value, fire class, bulk density or sound insulation values. For you as a processor, this means: only if the manufacturer provides a DoP can you use the product on the construction site in compliance with the law.
The Performance Declaration is not a marketing text, but a legally binding document. It contains the test standards according to which the product was evaluated and indicates whether the declared values are actually maintained for the respective application. If the DoP is missing or incomplete, in case of damage, not only the manufacturer is liable, but potentially also you as the executing trade – for example, if an insulation material does not meet the promised fire protection properties.
Why Flumroc is now putting all DoPs online
Flumroc does not explicitly state the reason for publication, but the timing is no coincidence. The EU Commission has tightened market surveillance in recent months. National authorities are increasingly carrying out spot checks to see whether construction products actually meet their declared properties. Manufacturers who cannot present current Performance Declarations are excluded from the market – an economic risk that mid-sized companies should not underestimate.
The Rockwool Group, to which Flumroc belongs, has invested heavily in compliance structures in recent years. Making all DoPs publicly available on the company website is a signal to planners, architects and processors: we follow the rules, and you can rely on our documentation.
What is included in a Performance Declaration – and how do you use this information on the construction site?
A DoP for mineral wool typically contains the following information:
- Product type and intended use: e.g. "stone wool insulation board for ventilated facades"
- Harmonised standard: e.g. EN 13162 (insulation products for buildings)
- Essential characteristics: thermal conductivity λ, fire class (e.g. A1 non-combustible), bulk density, compressive strength, water absorption
- Notified body: testing institute that carried out the initial testing
- Declaration number and issue date: for traceability
You use this information to check whether the material is suitable for your construction project. For example, if the specification requires a U-value of 0.20 W/(m²·K), you calculate the required insulation material thickness using the lambda value from the DoP. If the DoP is missing or the values are unclear, you should not install the product – in case of doubt, the building owner will refuse acceptance.
Compliance status in the industry: Who is falling behind?
While international corporations such as ROCKWOOL, Knauf or Saint-Gobain have long operated central DoP databases, smaller manufacturers often struggle with the documentation effort. A recent analysis by market surveillance authorities in Germany and Austria shows: approximately 15 percent of randomly tested construction products had deficiencies in their Performance Declaration – missing test reports, outdated standard specifications or contradictory values.
For you as a processor, this means: have the DoP shown to you before ordering. Reputable manufacturers provide it on their website or deliver it on request within 24 hours. If they are unwilling to provide documentation, this is a warning sign.
What changes with the new Construction Products Regulation (CPR 2.0)?
The EU is currently working on a revision of the Construction Products Regulation (CPR 2.0), which is expected to take effect gradually from 2027. Planned innovations include:
- Digital Product Passports: All Performance Declarations are to be stored in a central EU database, accessible via QR codes on the packaging.
- Extended EPD requirement: In addition to the DoP, manufacturers are to provide Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) in the future, which document the ecological footprint over the entire life cycle.
- Stricter market surveillance: National authorities will have greater powers to remove products from the market that do not meet their declared properties.
These measures aim to improve the quality and sustainability of construction products – and at the same time ensure competition on a level playing field. Budget suppliers who today still get away with unclear proof of origin will have a harder time in the future.
Practical tips: How to use Performance Declarations on the construction site
To work legally and efficiently, you should note the following points:
- Request DoP before ordering: Check whether the declared values match your specification. If there are any uncertainties: ask the manufacturer.
- Archive documentation: Keep the DoP together with delivery notes and invoices. In case of a warranty claim, this is your protection.
- Compare with other manufacturers: If two products declare the same lambda value, check the test standard. Some manufacturers test under more favorable conditions.
- Train your team: Make sure your crews also know what a DoP is and why it is important. This avoids discussions on the construction site.
Conclusion: More than bureaucracy
Flumroc's publication of Performance Declarations is more than a formality. It shows that transparency and documentation are increasingly becoming a competitive advantage in the building materials industry. Manufacturers who invest early in digital compliance systems position themselves as reliable partners – not only to planners and architects, but also to you as a processor.
For your construction site, this means: use the publicly accessible DoPs to critically compare products and install them in compliance with the law. The documentation takes you a few minutes – but can save you expensive remedial work or liability claims in case of doubt. Those who pay attention to complete documentation today will work more efficiently tomorrow – and avoid legal trouble.
For further information on standards and approvals, see our glossary entry on EPD and our article on transparency in the glass and facade market.
