How to prepare a Declaration of Performance
For an own-brand construction product, establish the applicable standard or assessment, define intended use and support each declared characteristic with matching evidence. Prepare the declaration in your manufacturer's name, reconcile it with the marking and supply the customer copy. Cambridge China Bridge can help gather factory records in China.
Establish who issues the declaration
An importer placing a construction product on the market under its own name or trade mark takes on manufacturer obligations. Treat the declaration as your controlled document. Ask the factory for supporting records rather than simply replacing the name on its declaration. Our own-brand responsibilities guide explains the wider role.
This guide covers preparing and supplying the declaration for Great Britain. For the broader sourcing and marking checks, use our construction materials guide. Start a document register linking your product code, factory model, approved specification and declaration reference.
Fix the intended use and assessment basis
Describe the intended use in the terms of the applicable technical specification. Avoid broad wording such as 'building material' when the assessment concerns a particular application. Agree the installation conditions and product configuration with your buyer before requesting performance evidence.
For a UKCA declaration, confirm with the relevant authority which references to the designated standard and its issue date, or the UK Technical Assessment used for the product, should be recorded. The declaration also identifies the applicable assessment and verification of constancy of performance system. Products not covered, or not fully covered, by a designated standard may be covered by a technical assessment document. Confirm the route before filling in a template.
Build the declared-performance schedule
Use the prescribed declaration model. Include the essential characteristics for the declared intended use and the relevant declared performance. State performance as a level, class or description where applicable. The declaration must give the performance of at least one relevant essential characteristic. For listed characteristics where no performance is declared, use the prescribed 'NPD' entry, meaning 'No Performance Determined'.
Build an internal evidence schedule alongside the declaration. For each characteristic, record the declared result, assessment method, report reference and covered configuration. Check whether intended-use requirements require that characteristic to be declared before leaving it undeclared. Do not use an undeclared entry to disguise a missing result needed by the project.
Check evidence before signing
Request the applicable test or calculation reports, assessment documents, certificates and factory production control records. Match their scope to the materials, dimensions, finish and intended use you will supply. Confirm report authenticity with the issuer and resolve any mismatch between the factory model and your product code. Keep this material in your product technical file.
For third-party assessment where required, confirm with the relevant authority the body's required status for your UKCA or CE marking route. Agree who reviews the evidence and signs on your company's behalf. Record the signatory, place and issue date, and check that every declared result has an identifiable supporting record.
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Match the marking and supply the customer copy
Reconcile the declaration against the proposed UKCA label. Government guidance lists the manufacturer identification, product-type code, declaration reference, declared performance, technical specification reference, applicable body identification and intended use, alongside the year information. Check the actual artwork against the full guidance rather than approving the logo alone.
Supply the declaration in English, on paper or electronically. A paper copy must be supplied if the recipient requests it. As a practical delivery method, send the issued declaration with the dispatch documents and record which version accompanied the goods. Keep superseded versions and investigate material or configuration changes before reusing the declaration for another shipment.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put my brand on the factory's declaration?
Own-brand supply brings manufacturer obligations. Check the evidence, product identity and assessment scope before issuing your declaration; changing the heading alone is a poor document-control method.
What intended use should I put in the declaration?
Use the intended use described by the applicable technical specification. Agree the actual application and configuration with the buyer, then check that the assessment evidence covers them.
Can I refer to a test report instead of stating performance?
Generally, reproduce the performance levels or classes in the declaration itself. The prescribed instructions do not allow these to be expressed solely through references to other documents.
Can I email the Declaration of Performance?
Yes. It can be supplied electronically and must be supplied in English for Great Britain. Provide a paper copy if the recipient requests it.