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CE-Certification of Geosynthetics

Conference Paper · January 2008

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 3rd GSI Taiwan conference 3 December 2008

CE-Certification of Geosynthetics

Helmut Zanzinger
SKZ – TeConA GmbH, Würzburg, Germany

Introduction

Since the commencement of European harmonisation of geosynthetic standards in 1989,

more than 70 standards for geosynthetics have been developed in the Technical Committee
CEN TC189. Based on the construction products directive (CPD), geosynthetics have to be
marked with a CE-mark. This is a legal requirement in most European countries.

The European Union (EU) seek free trade of construction products in the European market.

Using CE-marking, the manufacturer confirms that his products comply with the harmonised
European norms. Therefore he has to consult a certification body, which is notified through
the European commission to acquire a CE-certificate. The manufacturer declares the
important technical properties of his product, which are relevant for the legal requirements on
buildings.

Products with CE marking are allowed to be traded within Europe. CE marking is somewhat
like a “visa” for construction products in Europe.

1. Test methods

In the following tables 1 till 6, the relevant test standards for geosynthetics (GSY) are
summarized. “EN” stands for European standard and “ISO” means International standard.
“EN ISO” means that both standards are identical.

Table 1: Standards for identification, terminology, sampling and on-site control tests
reference number title applicable to
EN ISO 10320 Identification on site GTX and GTP
EN ISO 10318 Terminology GSY
EN ISO 9862 Sampling and preparation GSY
EN ISO 13437 Installation and sampling of samples GTX and GTP
from the soil
CEN/TR 15019 On site control GTX and GTP
 3rd GSI Taiwan conference 3 December 2008

Table 2: Test standards for physical properties

reference number title applicable to
EN ISO 9864 Mass per unit area GSY(except GBR-C)
EN 14196 Mass per unit area GBR-C
EN ISO 9863-1 Thickness of single layers GSY
EN ISO 9863-2 Thickness of multi layers GTX and GTP

Table 3: Test standards for mechanical properties

reference number title applicable to
EN ISO 10319 Wide-width tensile test GTX and GTP
EN 29073-3 Small-width tensile test non wovens
EN ISO 13934-1 Small-width tensile test wovens
EN ISO 10321 Tensile test of seams and joints GTX and GTP
EN ISO 13426-1 Strength of internal connections GCE
EN ISO 13426-2 Strength of internal connections GCO
EN ISO 12236 Static puncture resistance GSY
EN ISO 13431 Tensile creep test GTX and GTP
prEN ISO 25619-1 Compressive creep test GTX and GTP
prEN ISO 25619-2 Short term compression test GTP
EN ISO 13433 Cone drop test GTX
EN 13719 Protection efficiency test GTX and GTP
EN ISO 10722 Simulation of mechanical damage GTX and GTP
EN ISO 13427 Abrasion test GTX and GTP
EN 14574 Pyramid puncture test GSY
EN ISO 13428 Impact test GSY
prEN 14151 Burst test GSY
EN ISO 12957-1 Direct shear test GTX and GTP
EN ISO 12957-2 Inclined plane test GTX and GTP
EN 13738 Pull out test GTX and GTP
ISO 527 part 1 to 3 Tensile test GBR-P
ISO 34-1 Tear test GBR-P

Table 4: Test standards for hydraulic properties

reference number title applicable to
EN ISO 12956 Characteristic opening size GTX
EN ISO 11058 Water flow rate without load GTX
EN ISO 12958 Water flow capacity GTX and GTP
EN 13562 Water penetration resistance GTX
EN 14150 Water tightness test GBR-P and GBR-B
ASTM D 1434 Gas tightness test GBR-P and GBR-B
ISO/CD 10773 Gas permeability test GBR-C
ASTM D 5887 Water permeability test GBR-C
 3rd GSI Taiwan conference 3 December 2008

Table 5: Durability test standards

reference number title applicable to
ISO/TS 13434 Guidelines for the assessment of GSY
durability
SO/TR 20432 Guidelines for the determination of the GSY
long-term strength of geosynthetics for
soil reinforcement
EN 12226 Evaluation of durability tests GTX and GTP
EN ISO 13438 Resistance to oxidation GTX and GTP
EN 14575 Resistance to oxidation GBR-B and GBR-P
(oven test)
EN 14576 Environmental stress cracking GBR-P
resistance
EN 14030 Resistance against acids and alkaline GTX and GTP
liquids
EN 12447 Resistance against hydrolysis GTX and GTP
EN 12225 Microbiological resistance GTX and GTP
(soil burial test)
EN 12224 Weathering resistance GSY
EN 14414 Chemical resistance GSY
against landfill leachates
EN 14415 Resistance against leaching GBR
(water soluable)
EN 14416 Root resistance GBR
EN 14417 Influence of wet/dry cycles GBR-C
EN 14418 Influence of freeze/thaw cycles GBR-C

Table 6: Test standards for thermal and mineralogical properties

reference number title applicable to
EN 495-5 Bending at low temperature GBR-P
ASTM D 696 Thermal expansion GBR-P
ASTM D 5890 Swell index GBR-C

2. Terminology

2.1. Overview on geosynthetics (EN ISO 10318)

An overview on geosynthetic products used in various geoenvironmental applications is

given in Table 7.
 3rd GSI Taiwan conference 3 December 2008

Table 7: Overview on geosynthetics

Geosynthetics (GSY)
permeable practically impermeable
Geotextiles Geotextil related products Geosynthetic barriers
(GTX) (GTP) (GBR)
woven geotextile (GTX-W) Geogrid (GGR) polymeric geosynthetic barrier (GBR-P)

nonwoven geotextile (GTX-N) Geonet (GNT) clay geosynthetic barrier (GBR-C)

knitted geotextile (GTX-K) Geocell (GCE) bituminous geosynthetic barrier (GBR-B)

Geoband or Geostrip
(GST)

Geomat (GMA)

Geospacer (GSP)

Geosynthetic (GSY):
Generic term describing a product, at least one of whose components is made from a synthetic or
natural polymer, in the form of a sheet, a strip or a three dimensional structure, used in contact with
soil and/or other materials in geotechnical and civil engineering applications.

Geotextile (GTX):
Planar, permeable, polymeric (synthetic or natural) textile material, which may be nonwoven, knitted or
woven, used in contact with soil and/or other materials in geotechnical and civil engineering
applications.

Nonwoven geotextile (GTX-N):

Geotextile made of directionally or randomly orientated fibres, filaments or other elements,
mechanically and/or thermally and/or chemically bonded.

Knitted geotextile (GTX-K):

Geotextile produced by interlooping one or more yarns, filaments or other elements.

Woven geotextile (GTX-W):

Geotextile produced by interlacing, usually at right angles, two or more sets of yarns, filaments, tapes
or other elements.

Geotextile-related product (GTP):

Planar, permeable, polymeric (synthetic or natural) material, which does not comply with the definition
of a geotextile.

Geogrid (GGR):
Planar, polymeric structure consisting of a regular open network of integrally connected, tensile
elements, which may be linked by extrusion, bonding or interlacing, whose openings are larger than
the constituents.

Geonet (GNT):
Geosynthetic consisting of parallel sets of ribs overlying and integrally connected with similar sets at
various angles.

Geomat (GMA):
Three-dimensional, permeable structure, made of polymeric monofilaments, and/or other elements
(synthetic or natural), mechanically and/or thermally and/or chemically and/or otherwise bonded.
 3rd GSI Taiwan conference 3 December 2008

Geocell (GCE):
Three-dimensional, permeable, polymeric (synthetic or natural) honeycomb or similar cellular
structure, made of linked strips of geosynthetics.

Geostrip (GST):
Polymeric material in the form of a strip of width not more than 200 mm, used in contact with soil
and/or other materials in geotechnical and civil engineering applications.

Geospacer (GSP):
Three-dimensional polymeric structure designed to create an air space in soil and/or other materials in
geotechnical and civil engineering applications.

Geosynthetic barrier (GBR):

Low-permeability geosynthetic material, used in geotechnical and civil engineering applications with
the purpose of reducing or preventing the flow of fluid through the construction.

Polymeric geosynthetic barrier (GBR-P):

Factory-assembled structure of geosynthetic materials in the form of a sheet which acts as a barrier.
The barrier function is essentially fulfilled by polymers. It is used in contact with soil and/or other
materials in geotechnical and civil engineering applications.

Clay geosynthetic barrier (GBR-C):

Factory-assembled structure of geosynthetic materials in the form of a sheet which acts as a barrier.
The barrier function is essentially fulfilled by clay. It is used in contact with soil and/or other materials
in geotechnical and civil engineering applications.

Bituminous geosynthetic barrier (GBR-B):

Factory-assembled structure of geosynthetic materials in the form of a sheet which acts as a barrier.
The barrier function is essentially fulfilled by bitumen. It is used in contact with soil and/or other
materials in geotechnical and civil engineering applications.

Geocomposite (GCO):
Manufactured, assembled material using at least one geosynthetic product among the components.

2.2. Graphical symbols (EN ISO 10318)

Graphical symbols of various geosynthetics are shown in Table 8.

Table 8: Graphical symbols

GTX Geotextile

GBR Geosynthetic barrier

GGR Geogrid

GCO Geocomposite

GNT Geonet

GBR-C Clay geosynthetic barrier

GCE Geocell

GMA Geomat
 3rd GSI Taiwan conference 3 December 2008

2.3. Pictograms (EN ISO 10318)

Pictograms for various functions of geosynthetics are shown in Fig. 1.

Figure 1. Pictograms for functions

Separation Barrier

Filtration Protection

Reinforcement Surface erosion control

Drainage

2.4. Property symbols (EN ISO 10318)

Various properties related to geosynthetics are given in Tables 9 till 11.

Table 9: Physical properties

symbols units properties
d mm thickness
b m width
l m length
A g/m2 mass per unit area

Table 10: Hydraulic properties

symbols units properties
kn m/s coefficient of water permeability normal to the plane
kp m/s coefficient of water permeability in the plane
 s–1 permittivity ( = kn/d)
 l/(m · s) transmissivity ( = kp · d)
v-index mm/s velocity index
qp l/(m · s) in-plane water flow capacity
qn l/(m2 · s) water flux normal to the plane
O90 µm characteristic opening size
 3rd GSI Taiwan conference 3 December 2008

Table 11: Mechanical properties

symbols units properties
Tensile stress, related to the cross-sectional area of the specimen, at yield
y MPa
point
Tensile stress, related to the specimen width,
T kN/m
at a given strain  (e.g. T3 is the tensile stress at 3% strain)
Tensile stress, related to the cross-sectional area of the specimen,
f MPa
at failure
Tf kN/m Tensile stress, related to the specimen width, at failure
max MPa Tensile strength, related to the cross-sectional area of the specimen
Tmax kN/m Tensile strength, related to the specimen width
TSmax kN/m Maximum seam or joint strength
s % Seam/joint efficiency
Ff kN Load recorded at failure in a tensile test
Fmax kN Maximum load recorded in a tensile test
Fp kN Puncture force in a static puncture test
Pn kN Normal load in a compressive creep test
Ps kN Shear load in a direct shear test
DC mm Diameter of the hole, if any, expressed in mm, obtained in the cone drop test

3. CE – product standards

CE marking of GSYs is devided into different areas of application. Furthermore the required
tests in the factory production control (FPC) depend on the functions for which the GSYs
shall be used.

3.1 CE-marking standards for geotextiles and geotextile-related products

EN 13249

GTX and GTP in roads

EN 13250

GTX and GTP in railways

 3rd GSI Taiwan conference 3 December 2008

EN 13251

GTX and GTP in foundations and retaining walls

EN 13252

GTX and GTP in drainage systems

EN 13253

(no pictogram developed)

GTX and GTP in external erosion control systems

EN 13254

GTX and GTP in reservoirs and dams

EN 13255

GTX and GTP in canals

EN 13256

GTX and GTP in tunnels and underground structures

EN 13257

GTX and GTP in solid waste (landfills)

 3rd GSI Taiwan conference 3 December 2008

EN 13265

GTX and GTP in liquid waste

CEN 189072 (in preparation)

GTX and GTP in surface erosion control systems

EN 15381

(no pictogram developed)

GTX and GTP in asphalt reinforcement and asphalt overlays

3.2 CE-marking standards for geosynthetic barriers

EN 13361

GBR in reservoirs and dams

EN 13362

GBR in canals

EN 13491

GBR in tunnels and underground structures

EN 13492

GBR in liquid waste

 3rd GSI Taiwan conference 3 December 2008

EN 13493

GBR in solid waste (landfills)

EN 15382

GBR in trafficked areas

4. Requirements of CE marking

Manufacturer having CE-mark for his products has the duty:

 to test in the factory production control (FPC) according to harmonised European
standards
 to perform initial type testing on each product type
 to use minimum frequencies in the FPC
 to produce according to defined quality standards
 to undergo a continuous surveillance by a notified body (NB)
 to declare for which function depending on the application, his product can be used
 to declare average values and tolerances for defined mechanical and hydraulic
properties
 to provide information regarding durability and service life
 to send with each delivery an accompanying document in the language of the country
where the product will be used
 labelling and printing directly on the product according to EN ISO 10320

In summary on these items the manufacturer has to work on for the validity of CE
certification:
 declaration of conformity by the manufacturer
 QM-system (typically acc. to ISO 9001)
 initial type testing and a factory production control (FPC) of the continuous production
by the manufacturer
 annually surveillance by a notified body (inspection body) acc. to system of
conformity 2+
 3rd GSI Taiwan conference 3 December 2008

Screening tests for durability are used for the evaluation that the product can last in natural
soils at a temperature of up to 25°C for a service life up to 25 years. For polyester (PET) and
polyamid (PA), the resistance to hydrolysis acc. to EN 12447 has to be presented. For
polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP) and polyamid (PA) the resistance against thermal
oxidation acc. to EN ISO 13438 is requested. For all inquiries on durability, historical data
can be used to a certain extend, if the old test methods are similar to the actual ones. The
most relevance have positive evaluations of existing long-term applications of the same
material.

An overview of the requested characteristics are given in Tables 12 and 13 for GTXs and
GTPs and for GBRs. The properties with a “H” are those which have to be given in the
accompanying documents as a minimum requirement and they have to be tested in the initial
type testing and as well in the factory production control.

Table 12: Function-related characteristics and test methods for GTXs and GTPs

Characteristics Test methods Functions

F S R D P
Tensile strength EN ISO 10319 H H H H H
Elongation at tensile strength H H
Junction strength EN ISO 10321
Static puncture EN ISO 12236 H H H
Dynamic puncture EN ISO 13433 H H
Shear strength EN ISO 12957-1
EN ISO 12957-2
Tensile creep EN ISO 13431
Compressive creep EN ISO 25619-1
Installation damage EN ISO 10722-1
Protection efficiency EN 13719 H
Pyramid puncture EN 14574 H
Characteristic opening size EN ISO 12956 H
Water permeability without load EN ISO 11058 H
normal to the plane
Water flow capacity in the plane EN ISO 12958 H
Durability H
Weathering resistance EN 12224 for classification
Oxidation resistance EN ISO 13438 for PP and PEHD and PA6 or use > 25 years
Microbiological resistance EN 12225 for recycled material or use > 25 years
Chemical resistance EN 14030 pH < 4 Method A (acid liquid)
pH > 9 Method B (alkaline liquid)
Hydrolysis resistance EN 12447 for PET and PA6 or use > 25 years
H: required for harmonisation
 3rd GSI Taiwan conference 3 December 2008

Table 13: Function-related characteristics and test methods for GBR-Ps

Characteristics Test methods
Barrier function
Thickness EN ISO 9863-1
Mass per unit area EN 1849-2

Water tightness EN 14150 H

Gas tightness ASTM D 1434 H (landfills)

Tensile strength EN ISO 527 part 1 and 3 H

Elongation at tensile strength type 5, 100 mm/min
Static puncture EN ISO 12236 H
Bursting strength prEN 14151
Tear strength ISO 34
Shear strength (direct shear) EN ISO 12957-1
Friction (inclined plane) EN ISO 12957-2

Flexure EN 495-5
(low temperature behaviour)
Thermal expansion ASTM D 696

Durability H
Weathering resistance EN 12224 (3000 h) for classification
> 1 year exposure
Oxidation resistance EN 14575 (90 d, 85°C) use > 25 years
Environmental stress cracking EN 14576 (>200 h)
Leaching (water soluble) EN 14415
Root penetration CEN/TS 14416
Microbiological resistance EN 12225 (16 weeks)
Chemical resistance EN 14414
Fire behaviour EN ISO 11925-2
H: required for harmonisation

After the finalization of the CE certification process, the notified body will issue a FPC
certificate, which declares that the requirements are fulfilled for a specific production type. A
certification is related to a product family.

Some notified bodies publish the FPC-certificates (see example in Fig. 2) on their
homepages. All certificates frelated to CE marking of SKZ can be downloaded from
www.skz.de. This has the advantage that everyone can check the validity of a FPC certificate
issued by SKZ. If a certificate is not available on the SKZ homepage, it is not valid.
 3rd GSI Taiwan conference 3 December 2008

Figure 2. Example of a FPC-certificate for a drainage geocomposite

In the accompanying documents (see Fig. 3, 4, 7, 8), which can be named also a
harmonised data sheet acc. to European norms for each product, a maximum exposure
duration till covering has to be given. The weathering resistance depends on the residual
strength after exposure with 50 MJ/m² UV radiation for GTXs and GTPs and with 350 MJ/m²
UV radiation for GBRs acc. to EN 12224. For GTXs and GTPs, it will be classified in
exposure durations of up to 1 month, up to 2 weeks or to be covered on the day of
installation. GBRs can be exposed up to 1 year or even more, if they demonstrate their
performance with tests or by experience.
 3rd GSI Taiwan conference 3 December 2008

Figure 3. Example of an accompanying document for a geotextile

1213-CPD-1236
02
GeoCon GmbH, Postfach 21, 99765 Textilstadt, Germany

Accompanying Document of
GEOFLEECE ABC 1000
Geotextile for the application in

roads tunnels

EN 13249 EN 13256

retaining walls drainage systems

EN 13251 EN 13252

reservoirs and dams canals

EN 13254 EN 13255

intended functions:
separation (S) filtration (F) reinforcement (R)

Tensile strength MD Tmax 7 kN/m - 1 kN/m EN ISO 10319

CMD Tmax 7 kN/m - 1 kN/m
Elongation MD max 50% +/- 10% EN ISO 10319
CMD max 60% +/- 10%
Cone drop penetration DC 30 mm + 2 mm EN ISO 13433
Static puncture resistance FP 0.8 kN - 0.1 kN EN ISO 12236

Characteristic opening size O90 90 µm +/- 20 µm EN ISO 12956

Water flow rate qN 110 l/(m² s) - 10 l/(m² s) EN ISO 11058

Durability GEOFLEECE ABC – geotextiles consist purely from polypropylene

and consist no recycling material from post consumer recycling material.

Testing of the weathering resistance acc. to EN 12224 resulted in a residual tensile

strength of 91% (test report no. 64444 from 12th April 2006).
The geotextiles have to be covered within one month.
Testing of the oxidation resistance acc. to EN ISO 13438 resulted in a residual tensile
strength of 83% (test report no. 64445 from 19th October 2006).
The geotextile is durable in natural soil with 4<pH<9 and soil temperature
<25°C for a minimum of 25 years service life.

print on the product GEOFLEECE ABC 1000 CE 1213-CPD-1234

 3rd GSI Taiwan conference 3 December 2008

Figure 4. Example of an accompanying document for a geogrid

1213-CPD-1235
02
GeoCon GmbH, Postfach 21, 99765 Textilstadt, Germany

Accompanying Document of
GEOARM K 120/30-25
Geogrid for the application in

roads

EN 13249

retaining walls

EN 13251

intended function:
reinforcement

Tensile strength MD Tmax 130 kN/m - 10 kN/m EN ISO 10319

CMD Tmax 35 kN/m - 5 kN/m

Elongation MD max 9% +/- 1% EN ISO 10319

CMD max 12% +/- 2%

Durability GEOARM K 120/30-25 consist purely from polyester with a black PVC coating
and consist no recycling material from post consumer recycling material.

Testing of the weathering resistance acc. to EN 12224 resulted in a residual tensile

strength of 82% (test report no. 64446 from 7th April 2006).
The geogrids have to be covered within one month.

Testing of the hydrolysis resistance acc. to EN 12447 resulted in a residual tensile

strength of 76% (test report no. 64447 from 13th September 2006).

The geogrid is durable in natural soil with 4<pH<9 and soil temperature
<25°C for a minimum of 25 years service life.

print on the product GEOARM K 120/30-25

 3rd GSI Taiwan conference 3 December 2008

Figure 5. Example of a label for a nonwoven geotextile

1213-CPD
GEOFLEECE ABC 1000
GeoCon GmbH, Postfach 21, 99765 Textilstadt, Germany

Lot no.: 89934573

Roll no.: 123
Nominal gross mass: 530 kg
Length: 100 m
Width: 5m
Nominal mass per unit area: 1000 g/m² (EN ISO 9864)
Main polymer: PP
Product description (EN ISO 10318): nonwoven geotextile

Figure 6. Example of a label for a geogrid

1213-CPD
GEOARM K 120/30-25
GeoCon GmbH, Postfach 21, 99765 Textilstadt, Germany

Lot no.: 54982-1

Roll no.: 17
Nominal gross mass: 295 kg
Length: 100 m
Width: 4.9 m
Nominal mass per unit area: 500 g/m² (EN ISO 9864)
Main polymer: PET
Product description (EN ISO 10318): geogrid

Figures 7 and 8 show examples of an accompanying document for a geomembrane and a

GCL respectively for different applications.

With the identification number (see Fig. 8 and 9) of the notified body, it is easy to know the
issuer of the CE certificate. The last two digits of the year (see Fig. 8) indicate the CE
marking was applied and when the product was manufactured. Each FPC-certificate has an
unique number, which has to be given in the accompanying document (see Fig. 8).
 3rd GSI Taiwan conference 3 December 2008

Figure 7. Example of an accompanying document for a geomembrane

1213-CPD-4567
05
GeoCo GmbH, Kunststoffstr. 2, 98765 Kunststoffstadt, Germany

Accompanying Document of

GEOSHEET SX
FPO, 2.0 mm, smooth both sides, black with white signal layer

Polymeric Geosynthetic Barrier

for the use in

tunnels and underground structures

Annex ZA of EN 13491

intended function:

barrier

Tensile strength MD/CMD Tmax 22 N/mm² - 3 N/mm² EN ISO 527-3

(100 mm/min, type 5, l0 = 50
mm)

Static puncture resistance FP 5.0 kN - 0.6 kN EN ISO 12236

Water tightness < 7·10-7 m³/(m² d) EN 14150

Durability GEOSHEET SX consist purely from polyethylene.

Testing of the weathering resistance acc. to EN 12224 resulted under UV doses of

350 MJ/m² in a residual tensile strength of 89%
(test report no. 54545 from 2nd May 2005).
The geomembrane can be exposed up to one year under European climatic
conditions.
Testing of the oxidation resistance acc. to EN 14575 resulted in a residual tensile
strength of 85% (test report no. 54546 from 14th August 2005).
Testing of the resistance against environmental stress cracking acc. to EN 14576
showed no failure within 200 h (test report no. 54544 from 30th April 2005).
The polymeric geosynthetic barrier is durable in natural soil with 4<pH<9
and soil temperature <25°C for a minimum of 25 years service life.

print on the product GEOSHEET SX 2.0mm

 3rd GSI Taiwan conference 3 December 2008

Figure 8. Example of an accompanying document for a GCL

identification number
of certification body

1213-CPD
Accompanying Document of
GEOBENT CA 6000
GeoCo GmbH, Kunststoffstr. 2, 98765 Kunststoffstadt, Germany
the last two digits of the year 05
when CE marking was applied
1213-CPD-4568
number of FPC certificate
Clay Geosynthetic Barrier
for the use in

Reservoirs and dams Canals

Annex ZA of EN 13361 Annex ZA of EN 13362

Solid waste landfills

Annex ZA of EN 13493

intended function:

barrier

Tensile strength MD: Tmax 12 kN/m - 1.9 kN/m EN ISO 10319

CMD: Tmax 15 kN/m - 2.3 kN/m

Static puncture resistance: FP 2.8 kN - 0.7 kN EN ISO 12236

Water flux: q 7·10-10 m³/(m² s) +3·10-11 m³/(m² s) ASTM D 5887-99

Durability GEOBENT CA 6000 consist purely from polypropylene and bentonite.

The GBR-C has to be covered on the day of installation, to avoid free

swelling of the benonite.

Testing of the oxidation resistance of the synthetic components acc. to EN ISO

13438 resulted in a residual tensile strength of 64% (test report no. 54549 from
30th July 2005).

The clay geosynthetic barrier is durable in natural soil with 4<pH<9 and
soil temperature <25°C for a minimum of 25 years service life.

print on the product: GEOBENT CA 6000

 3rd GSI Taiwan conference 3 December 2008

For GCLs, weathering resistance test is unnecessary as the benonite has to be protected
anyhow against moisture in the unloaded condition. Until laying, a watertight packing of GCL
is required and also they have to be protected against UV-radiation.

Figure 9. Example of a label for a geomembrane

identification number
of certification body

1213-CPD
GEOSHEET SX 2.0 mm, smooth, black with white signal layer
GeoCo GmbH, Kunststoffstr. 2, 98765 Kunststoffstadt, Germany

Roll no.: 04Y25M23D-P06

Nominal gross mass: 380 kg
Length: 100 m
Width: 2m
Nominal thickness: 2.0 mm (EN ISO 9863-1)
Main polymer: LLDPE
Product description (EN ISO 10318): polymeric geosynthetic barrier

Additionally to the minimum information on the roll labels (see Fig. 5, 6, 9 and 10) given in
EN ISO 10320, the information must be readable and the label must be weather resistant
(water and light resistant). The product name together with product type has to be printed
directly on the product at every 5 metres.

Figure 10. Example of a label for a GCL

1213-CPD
GEOBENT CA 6000
GeoCo GmbH, Kunststoffstr. 2, 98765 Kunststoffstadt, Germany

Lot no.: 5892561

Roll no.: 129
Nominal gross mass: 1575 kg
Length: 50 m
Width: 5m
Nominal mass per unit area: 6300 g/m² (EN 14196)
Main polymer: PP
Bentonite: calcium bentonite
Product description (EN ISO 10318): clay geosynthetic barrier
 3rd GSI Taiwan conference 3 December 2008

5. Summary

CE marking for geosynthetics is obligatory. For given applications the relevant properties
have to be tested acc. to harmonised standards. The requirements for the factory
productions control are described in the standards. In the “harmonised datasheets”, i.e.
accompanying documents, the relevant properties are given in average values with
tolerances. The application standards can be helpful for designers as they summarize the
relevant minimum properties of geosynthetics for each single application.
The system for the evaluation of conformity with the European rules requires a continuous
surveillance of the factory production control without independent testing of the product.
Therfore CE marking has similarity with a “visa”, that a manufacturer can deliver his
geosynthetics into the European market, that they can be used e.g. at a German construction
site.

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