Re: Introduction of British Standards BS 4449: 2005 /BS 4482: 2005 /BS 4483: 2005/BS 8666: 2005

The reinforcement fabrication industry is facing the most significant changes in a generation. The UK design codes, scheduling standard and product standards are all changing. The driving force for these changes is the introduction at the end of 2005, of the European Standard for reinforcing steels, EN 10080.

BS 8666: 2005 was published on 21st September, by BSI and is available for purchase. There are a number of changes from the 2000 version including notation, electronic data files, re-introduction of previous shape codes, testing of processed coil product and inspection of cut and cut/bent items.

BS 4449: 2005, BS 4482: 2005 and BS 4483: 2005 came into effect on the 1st January 2006.

CARES are aiming to ensure that, for each approved Fabricator, certification goes forward as smoothly as possible during this period of change. CARES have reviewed the aforementioned standards and has trained the Auditors to enable them to communicate the changes to the Approved Firms during the course of routine audits.