With the entry into force of the European Construction Products Regulation (CPR) 305/2011, the CE marking became mandatory for construction products covered by a harmonized technical specification, published in the Official Journal of EU.
Being an innovative product, and consequently not standardized, vacuum insulating glass is not covered by any harmonized EN standard and was therefore not subject to CE marking. CE marking ensures compliance with EU safety, health, and environmental protection standards, thereby facilitating market access and consumer trust within the European Economic Area. For that reason, in 2018 AGC Glass Europe, part of the AGC Group, started the long and complex EOTA route. While the European Technical Assessment for Fineo (ETA 20/00481) was published in 2020, the European Assessment Document (EAD 300021-00-04042) was published on 20/11/2024.
FINEO by AGC is now the first and only European manufacturer to live up to its pioneering role and obtained the world’s first voluntary CE marking for its vacuum insulating glass.
High-performance vacuum insulating glass is increasingly coming to the fore. For renovation, it enables to exchange glass for existing single and double glazing, while retaining the original frames. For new constructions, the increasing demand for energy efficiency in buildings requires intelligent and innovative solutions in terms of sustainability, technology and design for which FINEO by AGC paves the way. It competes with the energy performances of triple glazing while achieving a lighter solution and an acoustically better performance.
In the case of FINEO by AGC, features such as reaction to fire, resistance to loads, sound and thermal isolation performance, and durability have been assessed by UBAtc, the Belgian Association for Technical Approval in Construction, and have been proven in the ETA 20/0048.
It should be highlighted that FINEO by AGC is manufactured in Europe, with production in Lodelinsart, Belgium.
“We have made a major step forward to the market penetration of our innovative glass technology. With the CE marking, we are also making it easier for manufacturers of window profiles and façade systems to integrate FINEO vacuum glazing,” said Louis Dellieu, PhD, Head of Product Management at FINEO by AGC. “Last but not least, the CE marking is an internationally recognized quality proof that ensures construction customers of the high degree of quality, reliability and safety of our products.”