The development of any sector is always market by the search for quality in the final product. In the slate industry, quality has evolved over the past decades through the emergence and involvement of different organizations, brands, and regulations designed for this purpose.
The need to create a brand like Galician & Spanish Slate to make the quality of the product evident is reality in a sector that is seeking new markets, where competition with other alternative products or slates from different geographical locations s growing stronger. The quality certifications available for Galicia slate indicate that it is a top- quality product.
The CE marking has been mandatory since 2006, which means the standardization of quality management and European regulation for slate. Additionally, products with this marking meet essential quality requirements to be able to circulate d be marketed in all European Union countries.
The CE marketing is the first revolution of this century for the slate industry, which benefits the slate in Galicia. Slate imported from third countries must also have this marketing, and in this case, the declaration of conformity must be made by the manufacturer´s representative legally established in the EU. This serve as a brake on the import of questionable- quality slate from countries like China or Brazil.
REGULATIONS- STANDARS
The regulations that govern the quality slate are European in scope and require all products to undergo thorough inspections to ensure they meet the quality standard.
Rules UNE-EN 12326-1, UNE-EN 12326-2 y UNE-EN 22190-3 EX
Today, there are three specific standards for slate; the UNE-EN 12326-1 ¨Products Specifications¨, which outlines the requirements for slate; the UNE-EN 12326-2 ¨ Testing methods, which specifies how these testing methods should be carried out; and the UNE-EN 22190-3 EX ¨Installation Systems¨, which explains the various methods for installation in construction projects, as well as the necessary coatings.
The tests established in the UNE-EN 12326-2 standard can be conducted in an accredited organization or laboratory for this purpose, and they will be valid throughout Europe, aiming to unify criteria across different countries. The slate Technology center has a laboratory accredited by ENAC where these tests are carried out. This streamlines the market and reduces costs, as there will be no need to test the slate in laboratories of the countries where it is marketed.
The results obtained from the tests on the slates characterize them, with acceptance margins set for each test. At this point, it is important to emphasize that these standards were developed by recognized experts in the slate industry from all over Europe, and the acceptance margins that have been established align with the reality of slate for roofing, naturally leaning towards improving the quality of the product.
