Gabions

Gabions are wire mesh boxes filled with graded aggregate. Individual gabions are assembled via stacking and connecting to form gabion assemblies. These assemblies serve, for example, to stabilise escarpments.

Regulatory framework

The design and execution of gabion assemblies is not technically regulated. In application areas falling under the Building Codes, DIBt can grant a national technical approval (abZ) for the gabion in combination with a general construction technique permit (abZ) for the gabion assembly. European Technical Assessments (ETAs) can also be issued for the wire mesh boxes and the filling, where relevant.

The executing company must submit a declaration of conformity stating that the executed gabion assembly complies with the provisions of the relevant construction technique permit.

No construction technique permit or national technical approval is required for the use of gabion assemblies to stabilise escarpments ≤ 1 m in height.

Use for stabilising escarpments along public roads or railway lines and use as noise barriers are subject to the rules and requirements of the respective legal areas. Please contact the competent agencies (i.e. the Federal Highway Research Institute or the Federal Railway Authority).

EAD 200019-00-0102 Hexagonal woven mesh gabion boxes and mattresses (21 pages ) Version: October 2015; OJEU 2015/C 378/02; EOTA EAD 200020-00-0102 Weldmesh gabion boxes and mattresses (19 pages ) Version: March 2017; OJEU 2017/C 183/03; EOTA EAD 200039-00-0102 Hexagonal woven mesh and gabion boxes and mattresses with zinc coatings (19 pages ) Version: April 2016; OJEU 2016/C 248/06; EOTA EAD 200050-02-0102 Gabion boxes, mattresses and sack gabions made of hexagonal regular twisted mesh metallic pre- coated with or without additional organic coating (22 pages ) Version: September 2018; Decision (EU) 2020/962; superseding "EAD 200050-01-0102"; EOTA

National procedure

To prepare an abZ/aBG for your construction product, we need an application from you. We recommend that you contact us prior to doing so. Feel free to send us your enquiry informally via email to dibt(at)dibt(.)de or to the competent technical contact listed in the top right.

For a first assessment, please send us the following information:

  • Description of the construction product and its intended field of use
    • e.g. material, configuration, number of sizes, variants, dimensions
    • e.g. use in walls, ceilings, interior construction, building services
  • Description of the construction technique and its field of application
    • e.g. design of walls, ceilings, elements, etc., and interaction of components
    • e.g. application in foundation engineering, reinforced concrete construction, building insulation; as load-bearing or non-load-bearing component; under static and quasi-static loading; fire exposure; other environmental exposures
  • Information regarding impact on regulatory concerns
    • in particular structural integrity, fire protection, health and environment protection, sound insulation as well as thermal performance
  • Explanation of need for an abZ/aBG
  • Contact details
    • preferably email address and/or telephone number, as well as name, organisation/company, and postal address

We will then contact you to clarify the next steps.

If you already hold a DIBt approval and/or construction technique permit and wish to apply for an amendment, supplement, or renewal, please use the form provided below.

European Technical Assessment (ETA)

To start the ETA procedure, please submit the form below. We will then check if the prerequisites for issuing an ETA are met, i.e., in particular, if the product is not fully covered by an existing harmonised standard. If the prerequisites are met, we will check whether a European Assessment Document (EAD) covering the requested assessment scope already exists or still needs to be developed. If an EAD needs to be developed or amended, a complete technical file needs to be established before the procedure can begin.

Z
new decision
E
supplement
Ä
amendment
V
renewal
G
valid until
Subject concerned Applicant Decision no. Validity
from / to
Ösengabionen "Quicky Forte 2000" für Gabionenkonstruktionen als Schwergewichtsmauer HOY Geokunststoffe GmbH Zum Wiesengrund 1-5 01723 Kesselsdorf Z-20.12-201 Z: 09.05.2023
G: 04.05.2028