Since July 2017, power, control and communication cables permanently installed in buildings in the European Union have fallen under the Construction Products Regulation (CPR). For LAN cable buyers, that means every reel or box needs a declared reaction-to-fire class — the EuroClass — backed by testing and, for the higher classes, independent certification.
What is CPR and why does it apply to data cable?
The CPR harmonises how construction products are tested and declared across the EU. Cable was brought into scope because, in a fire, large quantities of cable in ceilings, risers and floors can spread flame and produce dense, toxic smoke. The harmonised standard for cable is EN 50575, which refers to the test methods in EN 13501-6.
What do the EuroClass letters mean?
| Class | Meaning in practice |
|---|---|
| Aca | Non-combustible — not relevant to standard data cable |
| B1ca, B2ca | Very limited contribution to fire; used in high-risk and high-occupancy buildings |
| Cca | Limited flame spread and heat release; a common requirement for public buildings |
| Dca | Moderate fire performance; widely specified for general horizontal cabling |
| Eca | Basic flame-spread test only; a common baseline |
| Fca | No performance determined |
Classes B2ca to Dca also carry additional classifications:
- s1, s1a, s1b, s2, s3 — smoke production, with s1 the lowest.
- d0, d1, d2 — flaming droplets and particles, with d0 meaning none.
- a1, a2, a3 — acidity of combustion gases, with a1 the lowest.
A typical specification therefore reads like Cca-s1,d1,a1 or Dca-s2,d2,a2. An LSZH jacket is usually necessary to achieve the better s and a classes, but LSZH alone does not guarantee any EuroClass — only testing does.
How is a EuroClass certified?
The route — called the AVCP system — depends on the class:
- B1ca, B2ca and Cca: System 1+. A notified body tests the product, inspects the factory, certifies its production control and audits it continuously.
- Dca and Eca: System 3. A notified laboratory tests the product type; the manufacturer runs its own factory production control.
- Fca: System 4, a manufacturer declaration.
Whatever the class, the manufacturer issues a Declaration of Performance (DoP) and applies CE marking on the label or packaging, including the class and the notified body number where applicable.
Which class does my project need?
The CPR defines the classes, but each member state decides which class is required where. Some countries set Eca as a baseline for general installations; others require Cca or higher in public buildings, escape routes and high-rise structures. Datacentre operators and insurers sometimes set stricter internal requirements. Always check the national installation rules and the project specification before ordering.
Is anything changing under the new CPR?
A revised Construction Products Regulation, (EU) 2024/3110, applies from January 2026 and will gradually introduce new digital product information and sustainability requirements. The existing harmonised standard for cable remains the reference until it is replaced, but manufacturers and buyers should follow the transition closely.
Channeltech and CPR
Channeltech's CPR certification is in progress, with jacket compounds engineered to Cca and Dca targets. Performance to ISO/IEC 11801-1 Class EA and TIA-568.2-D is tested and documented for every batch today. If you are planning an EU programme, tell us the EuroClass you need and we will share the certification timeline for that class.