(1)

The European standard EN 13561 on external blinds and awnings was initially adopted by European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) in 2004 and amended in 2008. It contains four classes of performance for external blinds and awnings, notably in relation to resistance of those products to wind load.

(2)

The classes established in the standard EN 13561 are not sufficient for all the products currently available on the market. Most recent products represent a higher resistance to wind load than before. The use of the existing classes may in some cases lead to safety problems linked to the fixing of the products.

(3)

It is therefore necessary to add three more classes of performance for resistance to wind load to the classification included in the standard EN 13561. It is also necessary to differentiate the use of classes among the product subfamilies covered by that standard, in particular for folding arm awnings, for external blinds with fabric running in lateral guide rails and for pergola awnings.

(4)

In accordance with Article 27 of Regulation (EU) No 305/2011 classes of performance in relation to essential characteristic of construction products may be established either by the Commission or a European standardisation body on the basis of a revised mandate issued by the Commission. Given the need to establish additional classes of performance as soon as possible, the new classes of performance should be established by the Commission. In accordance with Article 27(2) of that Regulation, those classes are to be used in harmonised standards,