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Reinforcement accreditation

The UK Certification Authority for Reinforcing Steels (generally known as UK CARES or CARES) is an independent body that offers certification to companies that produce materials, components or provide services within the reinforced concrete industry.

Product conformity certification for reinforcing steel is based on continuous monitoring and verification of product performance against recognised standards.

CARES adopts a system of marking of reinforcing bar, coil or wire, which follows European convention. In the rolling mill, when the ribs are rolled on to the bar, the CARES mark (dot dash dot) is also rolled on, together with a series of dots to identify the country and mill of origin.

Further information may be found in The CARES Guide to Reinforcing Steels, Part 1, The Product Certification Scheme for Steel for Reinforcement of Concrete, which can be downloaded from www.ukcares.com. Additional information on reinforcement is given in the subsequent Parts of The CARES Guide.

Acknowledgement: The Concrete Society