In the first part of the article series, Wood Construction in Europe: Creating New Value Chains with the RAL Quality Mark (Part 1/2), we explored the significance of the RAL Quality Assurance in value chains and supply routes. The focus was on how the internationalization of supply chains plays a crucial role for success and why uniform standards make international collaboration smoother.
In this follow-up (Part 2/2), you will find out in detail how the RAL Quality Mark process works, how it helps you sell, the necessary steps, the role of inspection bodies, and why not all certifications are as complex, difficult, or expensive as they may seem. The goal is to help market players better understand the benefits of joining a RAL Quality Association and to make the process more accessible and user-friendly.
A Tradition of Quality Assurance in German Prefabricated Timber Construction
Germany’s quality assurance in prefabricated timber construction (Vorfertigung) has a long history. In the 1960s, building regulations first required the supervision of prefabricated components in factories, which later paved the way for voluntary supervision under the RAL Quality Mark for timber construction. To ensure the quality of prefabricated houses and their associated control processes, the Federal Quality Association for Modular and Prefabricated Construction (BMF) was established in 1961. Since 1972, BMF has been recognized as a quality association by RAL, the German Institute for Quality Assurance and Labeling.
The RAL Quality Marks awarded by the BMF to its members represent products and services that meet clearly defined quality criteria. These criteria are embedded in the RAL Quality and Test Regulations, which are publicly accessible. RAL Quality Marks provide a high level of security for end consumers and builders and are often used as award criteria in tenders or as a basis for financing by banks.
Through regular external monitoring by BMFcert GmbH, a subsidiary of BMF, both regulatory and private requirements are reviewed. For example, BMFcert can ensure that a timber module manufactured in Estonia meets German building regulations before it is approved for a construction project in Germany. BMFcert is a recognized inspection and certification body in Germany and Europe, conducting external inspections in Germany and several European countries. In addition to compliance with national building laws, BMFcert also assesses European Technical Approvals (ETAs) for timber building kits, visual grading of construction timber, and nail plate trusses.
From RAL Quality Mark “Timber Construction” to Business Processes
On a voluntary basis, manufacturers across Europe, in addition to the Ü-Mark (you can read an article on that here), have the opportunity to obtain the RAL Quality Mark “Timber Construction” (RAL-GZ 422) from BMF. The quality inspection at the production site typically occurs twice a year, during which the entire timber structure in its raw state, along with its individual elements, is evaluated based on defined criteria. These elements can be clad on one or both sides. What does cladding mean? It refers to the process of covering the building elements with a layer, such as boards or paneling, on one or both sides. Single-sided cladding means only one side is covered, while double-sided cladding means both sides of the element are covered.
Popular construction methods such as timber frame construction, timber skeleton construction, solid wood construction, and modular construction are all part of this quality assurance process that helps strengthen internal quality control and management processes. In addition to fundamental requirements such as structural stability, thermal and moisture protection, fire and noise protection, the assessment also covers wood protection, airtightness, and ventilation. Additionally, the on-site assembly is spot-checked once a year. To sum up, the RAL quality assurance not only guarantees a better product, but it also helps companies improve their business processes to take the next growth leap forward and reduce communication and information asymmetry in the entire business model.
A Quality Management Handbook
In essence, the inspections compare the specifications from regulatory documentation with the implementation in the manufacturer’s plans and drawings. These must be clearly traceable and match the actual execution of the individual elements. Just like with the Ü-Mark, great emphasis is placed on documented internal quality control during production, as well as an incoming goods inspection. According to Florian Bauer, the CEO at BMFCert, certifications, whether RAL Quality Mark or Ü-Mark, serve as the foundation for the company’s quality management handbook. External consultants are often involved to achieve this critical internal quality benchmark and to help implement the prescribed process instructions in clear and understandable steps.
Even carpenters and timber construction companies that do not produce their own timber elements or prefer to purchase them from other manufacturers can still obtain the “Timber Construction” quality mark. However, they must ensure that they only purchase elements from certified manufacturers. This can be proven with a certificate according to the RAL Quality Mark “Timber Construction” or “Raw Timber Element Production.”
Flexible Value Chains Enabled by RAL Quality Mark “Raw Timber Element Production”
To meet the requirements of the RAL Quality Mark “Timber Construction” and the higher quality standards it entails, manufacturers specializing in single- or double-sided clad timber panel elements can offer their elements to other quality mark users. This model is currently popular among assembly companies that can respond flexibly to capacity shortages of other manufacturers. This system is also attractive to international manufacturers. German companies can search the BMF’s member directory for suitable partners to support their production. Similarly, Estonian companies can use the member directory to find potential buyers along the value chain. This openness to internationalization and new sourcing routes is important for businesses in both Germany and Estonia.
Conclusion
Part 2 of this article series builds directly on the fundamentals from Part 1, which examined the importance of internationalizing supply chains and adhering to uniform standards in European timber construction. Both articles demonstrate that the RAL Quality Mark plays a central role in enabling new partnerships across borders, opening up new markets, ensuring quality, and strengthening competitiveness in an increasingly globalized world.
In the future, continued collaboration between companies in Germany and Estonia, supported by standardized processes like the RAL Quality Mark, will foster the development of value chains in areas such as component manufacturing, prefabrication of buildings, timber modules, serial renovation, and other sectors. The RAL Quality Mark not only ensures quality, but also expands sales and market opportunities and builds trust among consumers and builders throughout the value chain.
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