Member States and public and private sector procurers were free to set their own requirements on the performance of works and therefore products.

[8] Prior to the CPDs inception, there were differing standards and technical approvals among EU member states.

The objective of the CPD (and the CPR alike) is not to define the safety of construction products, but to ensure that reliable information is presented in relation to their performance.

This is achieved by providing, mainly in standards, a common technical language, to be used not only by manufacturers, but also by public authorities when defining their requirements on construction works, directly or indirectly influencing the demands placed on the products to be used in them.

[14] There are six essential requirements which need to be addressed (by committee) and satisfied, when relevant, by the product prior to being put on the market:[15] CE marking is obligatory for every product placed on the EEA (European Economical area or the European Union + Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) market as soon as all conditions are fulfilled to enable this.