The European Union states that every kind of construction material used needs a CE marking. This depicts their safety. Tile adhesives are also required to meet this safety norm to be declared fit according to British Standards.

To be used in Europe all construction materials including adhesives need to pass the safety test. This can include adhesives for tiles, plastic water pipes, gypsum blocks, metallic components and timber. The minimum requirement for a tile adhesive to pass the test is to conform by the BS EN 12004. The properties stated in the new British Standard are perfect in comparison to the former British Standard BS 5980 as they are more descriptive. Dispersion, performance and reactions are all included in the series of tests which adhesives have pass in order to be classified into separate catergories.

The newly introduced tests are far more detailed as to what were carried out earlier for meeting safety standards. The newly formed safety tests also now have to take into consideration the following factors:- the ability to stretch, slipperiness, water resistance and the ability to withstand deformation. It is a requirement of manufacturers to declare that the proudct meets the basics of these outlined characteristics in order to prove the adhesive meets British Standards. The product will be marked by the manufacturer under a certain catergory that will instantly confirm that it is safe for use.

The BS EN 12004 dk. Having a CE marking only implies that it has passed the general standard that allows it to be sold in the European Union markets but it does not ensure full safety of the product as per the new British Standard. If any of the adhesives fail to pass the performance tests as regards heat ageing and freeze or thaw tests, they cannot be considered as fit for BS EN 12004. These tests however, are not included in order to pass the CE certification. The durability of the product however needs to pass the Construction Products Directive.

It is therefore advisable that you check the marking on the product before you buy it. Products should hold both the CE and the BS EN 12004 certification. Ensure you check thoroughly before purchasing to ensure this. The heat ageing, freeze and thaw requirements are factors you should still check for on the contents label even if it has both the markings. To know that this property does not exist in the adhesive you need to look out for a no performance determined or NPD sign or maybe a value such as N/mm2, which is lower than 0.Durability is measured with 5N/mm2.

To know that the product you are buying passes all safety norms, you can look out for the classification rating set by the manufacturer, the CE and the BS EN 12004 marks.

With these kind of checks in place the public can rest assured whether decorating the bathroom, with those gorgeous ceramic bathroom tiles or choosing a tile design for your kitchen, each product has had to pass the safety checks in place.