1. The European Certification Scheme
Solar Keymark
The European Certification Scheme

2. Solar Heating and Cooling
Also known as solar thermal or solar water heating
Part of Renewable Heating and Cooling sector:
Solar Thermal
Geothermal
Biomass
Solar Thermal Energy ≠ Solar (Thermal) Power

3. Solar Thermal Collectors
Flat Plate Collectors
Evacuated Tube Collectors

4. Solar Thermal Collectors
Air Collectors
Unglazed Collectors

5. Solar Thermal Systems Forced Circulation Thermosiphon DHW, Combi or
Combi + (DHW + heating + cooling)
Thermosiphon
Domestic Hot Water (DHW)

6. The Solar Keymark

7. Why a Solar Keymark In the 1990s
financial support programs in various countries
European market grew from kWth to over kWth per year
Many companies started exporting their products BUT
Different requirements in every incentive programmes became an obstacle to market entry

8. = very complicated, expensive and cumbersome
Why a Solar Keymark
Before 2003: If manufacturers wanted to sell one product to different countries in Europe, they had to undergo several tests and gain additional certificates and approvals.
= very complicated, expensive and cumbersome
In 2003: the European Solar Thermal Industry and major testing institutes formulated the Solar Keymark Scheme rules

9. Why a Solar Keymark To certify conformity with EN standards
EN for collectors
EN for factory made systems
EN for custom built systems
To reduce wild growth of testing requirements, establishment of certificates in order to reduce the trade barriers and open the European market for solar thermal products

10. What is the Solar Keymark
The Keymark is the
pan-European voluntary
third-party certification mark, demonstrating to users and consumers that a product is in conformity with the relevant European Standard.
Note: the Keymark should not be confused with CE marking.
.. the key to the European market !!!

11. How does the Solar Keymark work
4 Key requirements:
Initial type test at an accredited test lab
Sample selected by inspector out of production or stock
Factory production control system (similar to ISO 9000 series)
Physical inspection of current product after 2 years

12. How does the Solar Keymark work
Current standards
Collectors – EN 12975:
Durability, reliability, safety, performance of liquid heating collectors, glazed & unglazed
Not included: air collectors

13. How does the Solar Keymark work
Current standards
Factory made systems – EN 12976:
Durability, reliability, safety, performance of “kits”
Custom built systems – EN 12977:
Water stores
Other components soon

14. Why is the Solar Keymark a success story
strong increase of
certified products
over 1800 products already
most national
subsidy schemes and regulations in EU
accept Solar KEYMARK

15. Why is the Solar Keymark a success story
Reduced testing for producers
one test for all countries
freedom of choice with testing centers
type testing instead of testing of all possible collectors (different sizes,..)
Easier and faster access to markets:
Europe and beyond
new products

16. Why is the Solar Keymark a success story
Quality assurance for customers and public authorities
Improved competitiveness
Following most developed standards for solar thermal worldwide
Through factory inspection the standard of production processes improves

17. More information… www.solarkeymark.org list of certified products
list of testing laboratories
list of certification bodies
download brochures in
Croatian (or 9 other languages)
detailed country reports

18. Please do not hesitate to contact us:
European Solar Thermal Industry Federation (ESTIF) Renewable Energy House Rue d‘Arlon B-1040 Brussels Tel: Fax: Website: