16 June 1999

The new Euro Norm BS EN 1401-1: 1998 covering PVC underground drainage pipes and fittings has already come into effect. Members of the British Plastics Federation (BPF) Pipes Group is taking the initiative to ensure that the changeover is painless for merchants by clearly marking all pipes and fitting produced to the new standard with comprehensive product specification information.

BS EN 1401-1 1998 replaces parts of the existing British Standards BS 4660 and all of British Standard BS 5481 and pipes and fittings manufactured to the new standard will be completely interchangeable with old products in terms of dimensions. The change over will be achieved through a process of natural substitution, with new stock gradually beginning to carry new markings to show that they comply with the new standard.

Frank Jones, director of the BPF Pipes Group comments, "The BPF Pipes Group is made up of all of the UK's leading suppliers of plastic underground drainage products. They will all be marking their products to show that they have been manufactured in accordance with the new standard so that merchants can be sure that they are selling only products that comply with the latest European legislation. Stockists with any queries should contact their supplier or the BPF for further details."

The new standard covers pipes and fittings in sizes from 110mm to 1000mm including bends, couplers, reducers, branches, saddle branches and plugs. All wille marked with the number of the new standard, application area codes, manufacturer name and/or trade mark, nominal size, minimum wall thickness or SDR, material, nominal ring stiffness and nominal angle of fittin where applicabale.

The new EN comes into immediate effect, although the existing standards will remain current until the change over is completed in October 1999.

The BPF Pipes Group is made up of the UK's leading PVC pipe and fitting manufacturers and covers rainwater, soil and waste, and underground drainage products. The group was set up to promote plastic and educate the building and construction industries about the benefits of using plastic pipes. Its members offer a full technical and advisory service for specifiers, installers and stockists of plastic pipe. Copies of BPF technical bulletin on the new standard can be obtained by calling Frank Jones on 0171 457 5024.

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