IBO mark of conformity

Companies with the IBO certification mark offer their customers guidance in selecting building products. The IBO mark of conformity

• is a transparent certification of a product's health and eco-friendly construction properties, based on defined criteria, by an independent third party
• supplements existing in-house quality assurance measures with health and construction ecology aspects
• reveals the ecological optimisation potential of the production process
• can support the market position of products
• depending on the product group, it can contribute to a positive rating in building assessment systems such as TQB or klimaaktiv.
• may result in eligibility for subsidies under certain Austrian housing assistance programs (depending on the product category and specific to each federal state)

Products with the IBO mark of conformity are favourably recommended in IBO training and consulting sessions as well as being recommend on the internet to players in the construction industry. In addition, informative summaries are published in customer-friendly brochures, in trade journals and on the internet. The consulting services provided by our internationally active institute in conjunction with IBO product testing help companies identify opportunities to improve their products.

Preliminary testing

You submit the products intended for IBO product testing with the registration form for preliminary testing. At the same time you also send us

• the safety data sheets for the materials used
• the technical product sheet
• the technical approval or the product's declaration of performance.

Based on this we carry out a preliminary test which looks at critical materials and the conformity of the technical product data with the applicable range of criteria.

If the result is positive, the IBO prepares a cost estimate for a comprehensive IBO product test. If the IBO product test is unlikely to be successful, you will be informed immediately and given a reason. This approach minimises your financial risk. You then decide whether IBO product testing should be carried out.

Order for IBO product testing

After commissioning the IBO product testing, you submit the <link file:3073>product declaration survey form</link> together with the necessary proof of compliance with the test criteria. We use these documents to check the materials and calculate the ecological product characteristics. During the inspection of the manufacturer's plant, we check the data of the production process and take samples for material analyses. You will also have the opportunity to discuss any questions that came up in a personal meeting at this time.

Report creation and awarding of mark of conformity

In a final report we evaluate the product composition, the ecological product characteristics, the manufacturing plant and the analysis results. If the test result is positive, the product is awarded the IBO test mark of conformity for five years. If, however, the decision is negative, the client receives a report and an explanation as to why the product did not pass the test. They are also offered suggestions on how to improve the product by enhancing its environmental compatibility and building biology qualities.

The IBO product testing process takes 3-6 months from when the order is placed. The testing and licence fees can be found in the schedule of fees.

IBO product testing is primarily aimed at products used in the construction sector that are produced in Austria and/or are available on the Austrian market. These include building materials, interior equipment materials and components, building services components and sanitary facilities. Currently, the following product groups can be evaluated

• Pre-cast concrete parts (criteria catalogue under revision)
• Screeds (criteria catalogue under revision)
• Gypsum plasters and fillers (criteria catalogue under revision)
• Plasterboard (criteria catalogue under revision)
• Mineral fills made of expanded glass (criteria catalogue under revision)
• Mineral fills made of expanded clay (criteria catalogue under revision)
• Cement-bonded, fibre-reinforced construction panels (criteria catalogue under revision)
• Ready-mixed concrete

Other criteria catalogues are planned, these include

• Elastic floor coverings
• Building materials for outdoor use
• Straw bales
• Building service systems (wall heating and ventilation systems)

For a more holistic approach, system add-on products and construction services are also included.

Would you like to have your product tested according to IBO testing criteria and be able to display a mark of conformity? Fill out the application form for preliminary testing and submit it to the IBO. Please also look through our general terms and conditions for IBO product testing.

Products that have been awarded the IBO certification mark meet the IBO testing criteria for the corresponding product category and provide evidence of their suitability for use in environmentally demanding construction projects.

Here is an overview which is updated on a monthly basis of all awarded products, the corresponding certificates as well as the underlying test criteria.

For questions, complaints, objections or disputes relating to the IBO certification mark and the award procedure, please contact ibo@mail.ibo.at via email.