national technical approval

A national technical approval is the prerequisite for using what is called a "non-controlled building product", i.e. products that are not contained in the Construction Products List. The national technical approval is issued upon application to the German Institute for Building Technology (DIBt) and is valid for five years in each case. The approval is evidence of the usability of the product. The approval is granted on the basis of tests and verification procedures for important characteristics of the product recommended by an expert committee. (Source: Wikipedia)