1st International Conference

New Cements and their Effects on Concrete Performance

HBRC-Helwan University. Cairo, 16-18 December 2008

STANDARDISATION OF CEMENT
EXPERIENCE IN EUROPE
Martin Schneider
Verein Deutscher Zementwerke, Duesseldorf, Federal Republic of Germany
Email: sch@vdz-online.de sch@vdz-online.de

ABSTRACT
Harmonized European standards for the building material cement have been in place since the year
2000. At the time of their adoption, they constituted the first harmonized standards in the ambit of
the EU Construction Products Directive. Since then, cements with a CE certificate can be traded
freely throughout Europe. The European cement standardization committee CEN/TC 51 has
consistently continued its standardization work. In addition to the extrapolation of existing basic
standards EN 197-1 and -2, numerous further and advanced product and conformity evaluation
standards for special cements and binders have been added, which have opened up new options
for the manufacture of binders tailored to market requirements. These developments are spurred by
the necessity to reduce CO2 emissions. Corresponding standardization activities relate to sulfate
resisting cements, super-sulfated cements or the standardization of new binders, among other
topics. Moreover, the principle to be adopted is that only proven cements and binders are to be
included. Further standardization activities refer to conformity evaluation procedures and test
methods.

Keywords: Cement, standardization, requirements, conformity, test method

INTRODUCTION

DEVELOPMENT OF A EUROPEAN CEMENT STANDARD

Short history
The origins of the construction product cement can be dated back 2000 years. The “Ancient
Romans” implemented the „Caementum“ made of a mixture of calcareous and pozzolanic
components. From these components „Opus Caementitium“ or „Petrus liquidus“ emerged, i.e. liquid
stone, as concrete was called in former times. For about 1600 years the Pantheon in Rome was the
biggest free-standing cupola in the world and even nowadays demonstrates the high level of
architecture with cement at that time.
The knowledge disappeared for many centuries and primarily was rediscovered in the 19th century
in England. The first German cement standard, the first standard for industrial produced products in
Germany at all, was set in 1877 with the foundation of the Association of the German Cement
Producers VDZ (Verein Deutscher Zementwerke) and was published a short time later by the
Prussian Government. In this first standard, the requirements and testing conditions were fixed. At
that time standardised quality criteria were defined for the first time and formed the basic condition
for fair competition.
In the 20th century cement developed into the construction product as we know it today with which
a multitude of structural requirements can be solved. At the same time the number of cements and
cement types increased. At the beginning only Portland cements were produced. Quite early
cements with granulated blast furnace slag were also added. Already from the beginning of the 20th
century Portland-slag cement and blast furnace cement were standardised for the first time. Later
 1st International Conference
New Cements and their Effects on Concrete Performance
HBRC-Helwan University. Cairo, 16-18 December 2008

on the trass cement as pozzolanic cement and the Portland oil shale cement were integrated into
the German cement standard after sufficient experience was gathered.
The nineties of the last century were characterised by the preparation of European standards. In
particular the standard was expanded by assimilating Portland-composite cement CEM II and
already covered a total of 12 different cement types. This standard was a result of innumerable
preliminary investigations as well as practical experiences within the scope of the construction
inspectorate’s approval. Limestone and fly ash were included the first time as possible main
constituents of cement.
At the beginning of the millennium the first European cement standard was published. At that time it
was the first standard for a construction product in the validity range of the European Construction
Products Directive CPD. It covers a total of 27 different cement types, which meant an extensive
increase in the number of cement types.

Regulatory framework
The European Union is developing a coherent and expanding approach towards the various issues
that concern building and infrastructure. It is the specific mission of the EU Commission’s
Construction unit to improve the framework conditions for the competitiveness of the construction
and construction products industries. A main focus is dedicated to the completing of the Internal
Market for construction products through the implementation of the Construction Products Directive
(CPD), in practical terms, by supporting the production of standards and European Technical
Approvals. Member States shall take all necessary measures to ensure that the products referred to
in the CPD, which are intended for use in works, may be placed on the market only if they are fit for
this intended use. Consequently the CPD provided the framework to put construction products on
the market, whereas the use of such products is regulated under the national legislation in the EU
member states.
The CPD is one of 26 European Directives in accordance with the so-called New Approach. The
CPD clearly regulates the placement of construction products on the European market. However,
the use of such products is governed by national legislation such as building laws or additional legal
domains. According to the CPD a construction work must be designed and built in such a way that it
complies with a set of requirements which are given in the Directive. These requirements cover:
- Mechanical resistance and stability,
- Safety in case of fire,
- Hygiene, health and the environment,
- Safety in use,
- Protection against noise,
- Energy economy and heat retention.
Currently the CPD is under the process of revision. The intention is to make it clearer and to reduce
complexity. It is also intended to release the next version as a Construction Products Regulation.
The current draft for revision proposes to include sustainability as a seventh essential requirement.
A construction product has to demonstrate that it is fit for the intended use. The requirements of the
product are not directly formulated in the CPD, as is done in other New Approach Directives. They
are specified on the one hand by European harmonized standards, which are developed by the
European standardisation organization CEN and on the other hand by European technical
approvals, which are issued by the European organisation EOTA. The necessary requirements for
the free trade of products and for the reduction of commercial barriers are thus created.
Although the harmonized approach seems to be desirable from a single market point of view,
experience has shown that well tried and proven products are used differently from country to
country. The CPD has foreseen these possible differences in geographical or climatic conditions or
in ways of life as well as different levels of protection that may prevail at national, regional or local
level. Consequently each essential requirement may give rise to the establishment of certain
classes in standards to be respected. In these terms the European cement standard can be taken
as a good example for a harmonized standard under the CPD.
 1st International Conference
New Cements and their Effects on Concrete Performance
HBRC-Helwan University. Cairo, 16-18 December 2008

Fig. 1: Types of common cement according to EN 197-1

PRODUCT STANDARDS
Common cement
Since April 2001 cements labeled with the CE mark can be traded freely within all countries of the
EU without restrictions. They are inspected in accordance with EN 197-2, the European standard
for conformity evaluation of cement. The experience gathered with the application of these
regulations to date is favorable in every respect. The types of cements given in the standard
EN 197-1 are shown in Figure 1. Altogether 27 cement types were taken into account when the
standard was finalized in 2001.
A positive effect of the harmonized cement standard EN 197-1 was certainly that it has laid ground
for the technical prerequisites for more market oriented cements. The given different classes of
cement types are increasingly used to produce new cements. The development of cements with
lower clinker to cement ratio was especially encouraged and resulted in the growing market share
of these cements. Besides the corresponding customer wishes, a driving force for the production of
these cements is the reduction of the clinker factor in view of the Emissions Trading Directive,
increased energy prices and a certain pressure to re-use other materials as cement main
constituents, like blast furnace slag or fly ash.
 1st International Conference
New Cements and their Effects on Concrete Performance
HBRC-Helwan University. Cairo, 16-18 December 2008

Fig. 2: Comparison of the types and strength classes as a proportion of the domestic
dispatch of cements manufactured in Germany in the years 2000 and 2007

After implementation of the European cement standard in 2001 the number and relative percentage
of cement types and classes shifted considerably as a result of changes in the domestic dispatch in
Germany. In figure 2 the relative amounts of the cement types und strength classes for the years
2000 and 2007 are compared. The figure clearly demonstrates the significant changes in market
shares. Because of the reasons mentioned the percentage of Portland cement CEM I decreased
since 2000 from a total of 61.7 % to 35.5 %. At the same time the percentage of the Portland-
composite cement CEM II increased to the same degree. This is especially obvious regarding
cements with the strength class 32,5. In this strength class about 60 % of the cements are now
CEM II cements. The percentage of the Portland cement CEM I decreased appropriately, while the
percentage of the CEM III cements barely altered.
In the same period the percentage of cements of the strength class 32.5 decreased from 60.1 % to
39.7 %. Simultaneously the cements with higher strength classes increased. Meanwhile cement of
the strength class 42.5 is produced in a higher quantity than cement of the strength class 32.5.
Dr.-Ing. Christoph. Müller will in his presentation give information concerning the extended
application of CEM II- and CEM III/A-cements in Germany.
Common cements with special properties are not yet standardised completely at European level.
One reason is that in some cases well-tried performance test methods are missing. A joint working
group of the CEN committees on cement and concrete TC 51 and TC 104 has been in existence for
about 20 years to elaborate direct performance test procedures. In the meantime several cement
and concrete test methods like heat of hydration, leaching, frost resistance or carbonation were
elaborated and published either as a standard or as a report. In the last year two CEN-reports
summarising the state of the art were finalised.
One of these reports deals with the performance testing for sulfate resistance. The different testing
procedures are described and the advantages and disadvantages compared. However, a
performance test method that is generally applicable and lends itself to the elaboration of a
performance-oriented product standard is not available. Research to develop such a test is still
going on but might still require some time. Till then the sulfate resistance can only be accessed
indirectly by the composition of the cement.
Common cements with sulfate resisting properties have been discussed by the respective working
groups in CEN for a very long time. So far it has shown to be very difficult to implement the various
experiences from the different states in a single standard. This is even more complicated due to the
fact that no reliable performance test is available. Although a draft standard was not approved some
 1st International Conference
New Cements and their Effects on Concrete Performance
HBRC-Helwan University. Cairo, 16-18 December 2008

years ago it seems now that a standard based on uniform prescriptive criterions can find the
necessary majority. In accordance with a CEMBUREAU enquiry, SR cements in Europe show a
market share of about 5 percent. CEM I, CEM III as well as CEM IV cements are the dominant
types of cements with sulfate resisting properties (see figure 3). The existing draft standard differen-
tiates within these three main types a total of seven different products (see table 1).

Fig. 3: Relative market proportion of high sulfate resisting cements

in Europe according to CEMBUREAU

Although the experience with the EN 197-1 has been very positive so far, it has to be looked at from
time to time in a revision process as foreseen in the standard itself. This revision phase has been
introduced with the EN 197-1 in the meantime. With the forthcoming scheduled revision, however,
only smaller adaptations need to be performed. These refer among others things to the various
cement components. Since separate product standards have been finalized in the meantime for fly
ash, granulated blast furnace slag and silica fume, the Technical Committee responsible for cement
has suggested an update which will take these developments into account. The same applies for
requirements for the cement additives which should reflect developments in the drinking water area.
In addition the special cements with the properties low early strength (L) and low heat of hydration
(LH) as well as sulfate resisting cements (SR) will be implemented into the revision process. It is
intended to include all standard-parts mentioned in table 1 in a revised version of EN 197-1.
 1st International Conference
New Cements and their Effects on Concrete Performance
HBRC-Helwan University. Cairo, 16-18 December 2008

Table 1: Existing and intended European harmonised product standards for common cement

Special cements and binders

Up to the millennium the EN standardization activities concentrated on the finalization of the product
standard for common cement and the completion of accompanying test and conformity standards.
In the meantime a series of other EN product standards has been finalized. Besides the EN 197
standard for common cements, a set of standards for special cements and hydraulic binders was
developed or is under preparation. The standards on calcium aluminate cement, cements with very
low heat of hydration or masonry cement are finalized. Standards on super-sulfated cement,
hydraulic road binder or hydraulic binder for non-structural applications are currently in preparation.

CONFORMITY EVALUATION
According to the EU Construction Products Directive (CPD) it is the task of the EU commission to
define the procedure for the conformity attestation of building products. The procedure may be
chosen from four main systems of conformity attestation (see fig. 4). Only at the highest level, a
product certification by an independent party is required. At the time the conformity evaluation
standard for cement was established all interested parties agreed that only the highest conformity
attestation level according to the EU Construction Products Directive would be appropriate for
cement. Cement is one of only a few construction products according to the Directive, for which the
conformity attestation level 1+, i.e. a product certification by an independent certification body was
fixed as a conformity attestation system. This means that the conformity of the product with the
standard has to be confirmed by a notified certification body. This includes in addition to the
surveillance, assessment and acceptance of the factory production, control of the manufacturer to
perform also regular audit testing of spot samples taken in the factory. Due to this decision an
unchanged high level of conformity evaluation could be retained all over Europe. This conformity
attestation level is established in the annex ZA of the relevant product standard. This includes
common cements, cements with special properties and special binders with the only exception of
hydraulic road binder falling under system 2+.
 1st International Conference
New Cements and their Effects on Concrete Performance
HBRC-Helwan University. Cairo, 16-18 December 2008

Fig. 4: Regulations for the conformity evaluation and attestation of cement

About 10 years before implementing a European certification scheme for cement, the work to
produce a uniform conformity evaluation standard for cement EN 197-2 was initiated. Due to
different national traditions a viable compromise between concepts focusing more on the testing of
the final product and others focusing more on the internal quality control procedures of the factory
laid down in a works quality system had to be found. In the meantime this standard serves as a
model for conformity evaluation rules for concrete constituents falling under the same conformity
level, i.e. fly ash, silica fume and ground granulated blast furnace slag.
The procedure for the conformity evaluation and the corresponding minimum requirements are pre-
determined through the standard EN 197-2. In order to promote a similar interpretation of the
standard and to ensure an adequate application by different notified bodies in Europe, “Guidelines
for the application of EN 197-2” were prepared and published as a CEN report CR 14245 in 2001.
These are official interpretations and commentaries on the corresponding CEN committee TC 51.
The EU commission wishes that all notified bodies within the scope of the Construction Products
Directive shall work together to ensure a uniform application of the conformity evaluation
procedures. Published harmonized CEN standards are regularly reviewed and interpreted by the
notified bodies in the form of position papers and recommendations.

TEST METHODS
Uniform test methods have to be available prior to specifying product requirements. The substantial
test methods for cement of standard series EN 196 were completed as early as some 15 years ago.
Today, all laboratories in Europe apply comparable basic principles in their work. The basic
standards are practically identical to corresponding ISO standards. As a consequence, these
methods are now also applied in many countries all over the world ensuring comparable test
results. It has to be taken into account that the physical test methods differ considerably from the
comparable ASTM methods due different test conditions, like composition of the mortar,
 1st International Conference
New Cements and their Effects on Concrete Performance
HBRC-Helwan University. Cairo, 16-18 December 2008

compaction, storage etc. Therefore, the physical test results obtained with EN/ISO standard and
ASTM standard respectively are not comparable.
Individual parts of the standard have been revised or supplemented by now. A completely revised
version of the standards EN 196, Parts 1, 2, 3 and 5 appeared in 2005 (table 2). Based on the
experiences gathered by now, many testing details were revised without, however, the basic
principles of the test methods having changed. In this way, for example, the vibration table widely
used for mortar compaction in Germany and other European countries was internationally adopted
as an approved test method in the meantime. Setting tests using the Vicat apparatus were switched
over to underwater testing in the standard. Testing in air is to be continued only with certain special
binders, such as masonry cements. EN 196-3 is to be supplemented accordingly.

Table 2: Methods for cement testing according to EN 196

EN 196 Contents valid ISO No.

Part issue
1 Strength 2005 ISO 6793)
2 Chemical analysis 2005 1) ISO/DIS 29581-13)
3 Setting, Soundness 2005 ISO 95973)
(4)2) Composition 2007
5 Pozzolanicity 2005 ISO 8633)
6 Fineness 1990
7 Sampling 2008
8, 9 Heat of hydration 2004 ISO/DIS 29582-1/-2
10 Water-soluble chromate 2006
1)
In addition standard for X-ray fluorescence analysis in preparation
2)
CEN report CEN/TR 196-4
3)
Publication in preparation, valid issue 1989/1990 including ISO 680 for chemical analysis

A test method for determining the water-soluble chromate content by mortar extraction was
prepared under high time pressure and finalized in 2006. The method is needed to demonstrate
compliance of cement with the European Chromate Directive. The test method by extracting a
mortar was proved in several campaigns of round robin testing. The test method for determining the
composition of cement existing as pre-standard for a long time was converted into a CEN report
and published in 2007.
In the year 2004, two reference test methods for the heat of hydration of cement were published.
The solution procedure using hydrofloric acid was published in EN 196-8, the semi-adiabatic
Langavant method in EN 196-9. Due to the different temperature conditions the test results of the
Langavant method are at 7 days higher than the results of the solution method. EN 197-1: A1 gives
a possibility to convert the test results. The handling of hydrofloric acid in a laboratory is dangerous
and needs a lot of attention. This danger does not exist in the case of the heat conduction
calorimetry. Also higher numbers of samples can be tested with this method making it more feasible
for routine testing. Therefore, it was proposed to standardize this method also.
The heat of hydration is not the only case where factories apply alternative methods. These allow
testing to be conducted more quickly and sometimes even automatically, e.g. for process control.
Therefore, the question gains importance, under which circumstances these alternative procedures
can be used and, if necessary, be standardized. However, this provides for the necessary accuracy
and precision of the test method to be given.
In the works laboratories, the x-ray fluorescence analysis is used mainly instead of the traditional
chemical reference methods according to EN 196-2 as an alternative test method. Therefore, TC 51
 1st International Conference
New Cements and their Effects on Concrete Performance
HBRC-Helwan University. Cairo, 16-18 December 2008

started for the first time to produce an international standard for the x-ray fluorescence analysis.
This work is carried out in parallel to the corresponding ISO standard. Countries from Asia are
participating in the corresponding working group as well as in a first round robin test program
carried out.
This year a revised version of the sampling standard EN 196-7 was published. The test method for
the determination of cement fineness EN 196-6 is currently under revision. In most product
standards there is no specification to the fineness because it is a relevant parameter for process
control and not for the conformity control of the final cement. It is also intended to establish a test
method for the determination of the C3A content. This procedure is required for the standardisation
of cements with high sulfate resistance.

SUMMARY
In Europe positive experience has been made with the product standard on common cement
EN 197-1. Together with the accompanying test and conformity standards it has demonstrated to
be a complete standard. The standard gives enough possibilities to produce market oriented
cements for the European market. The standard is currently under revision. Common cements with
special properties will be included. In the meantime several standards on special cements and
binders for special applications are to follow..
Experience with the conformity evaluation standard EN 197-2 has been very positive. It has shown
that product certification based on third party inspection is still the key item to ensure compliance of
a product such as cement with the corresponding standard.
Test standards will continue to be further developed. They provide the best basis for a
harmonization even on a global level.

REFERENCES

1. Sybertz, F . and Thielen, G., “The European cement standard and its effects in Germany”,
Concrete Technology Reports 2001-2003, pp. 7-18, VDZ; Düsseldorf: VBT, Verl. Bau und
Technik
2. Thielen, G. and Sprung, S., “European Standardization with Reference to Cement”, Concrete
Technology Reports 1998-2000, pp. 7-18, VDZ; Düsseldorf: VBT, Verl. Bau und Technik
3. Wischers, G. (1990), “Performance” as criterion for the standardization of cement and concrete,
Betonwerk + Fertigteil-Technik 56, Vol. 3, pp. 51-60
4. Schneider, M., “Current and future perspective of cement standardization”, Proceedings 3rd Int.
Symposium “Sustainability in Cement and Concrete”, Istanbul, 21-23 May 2007