Solar Keymark: Ensuring European Quality Standards in Solar Thermal Products
The Solar Keymark is a voluntary third-party certification mark for solar thermal products, ensuring that a product conforms to the relevant European standards and fulfils additional requirements. It was developed by Solar Heat Europe and CEN (European Commitee for Standardisation) in close co-operation with leading European test labs, certification bodies, and with the support of the European Commission. The Solar Keymark is used in Europe and recognized worldwide.
Solar Heat Europe is the Secretariat of the Solar Keymark.
Why a Solar Keymark?
The aim of the Solar Keymark is to reduce trade barriers and promote the use of high quality solar thermal products in the European market and beyond. The certification mark has multiple benefits, such as allowing manufacturers to introduce new products in different European countries and assuring end-consumers that the products are fully tested according to the relevant standards. In fact, the Solar Keymark is required by several public authorities as an eligibility criterion for public support schemes.
How to obtain the Solar Keymark?
The Solar Keymark certificate can only be issued by an empowered certification body after the product has been tested by an accredited testing laboratory. The certification body is the organisation responsible for awarding Solar Keymark certificates and the test lab is the organisation responsible for all the testing.
To obtain Solar Keymark certification, it is essential that the product tested is a sample taken randomly from the current production or stock by an independent inspector. Those interested to get the certification have the freedom to choose amongst the accredited labs, and longer-term they benefit from simplified procedures for replacing components in certified products.
Did you know?
In 2009, the Solar Keymark Network set up a Solar Certification Fund (SCF) to support research activities on solar thermal and related certification schemes and standards. To access this funding opportunity, one must apply to the yearly call (usually published at the end of the year) on the Solar Keymark website.
Further information
Are you curious about the support schemes including Solar Keymark in your country?
Do you want to know more about empowered certification bodies or testing laboratories that can facilitate the process of geting the Solar Keymark for your products?