Performance over promises

Certass TA chair, Jon Vanstone, explains why evidence matters more than ever.

Trust is no longer something that can be assumed in our industry. The glazing sector, like the wider construction industry, is entering an era where claims carry little weight unless backed by credible, accessible evidence.

Marketing language is no longer enough and performance must be demonstrated, traceable, and verifiable. This shift is not a passing trend; it is being embedded in regulation and will shape how we are judged, regulated, and ultimately chosen to deliver work.

Public trust in construction has eroded over time, and that decline was accelerated by high-profile failures. The Grenfell Tower tragedy exposed deep deficiencies in building safety, integrity, and oversight. The message from government and the public was clear: a system built on vague promises and assumptions is not acceptable. The answer lies in accountability and that means every decision made in construction must be supported by evidence.

This is already affecting our industry, and the direction of change is clear. Claims must be justified. Products must be traceable. Installations must be recorded. Competence must be demonstrable.

The End of Assumption-Based Practice

For too long, parts of the product supply chain have relied on generalised performance claims. A product might be marketed as compliant or certified without the necessary documentation or audit trail. Those days are ending.

If a product is claimed to meet a standard, that standard must be evidenced. If a system is sold based on safety, thermal performance, or sustainability, the data must be available.

This is no longer theoretical. Installers are being asked to provide product evidence at the point of job registration. Local authority building control teams are requesting specification data before sign-off. Clients in both public and private sectors are demanding full traceability.

Why This Matters Now

Across the construction ecosystem, regulatory alignment is strengthening. Competence requirements and product regulations are being increasingly integrated. With the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) focusing on whole-system accountability from design and procurement to installation, businesses must stop viewing product compliance and installation competence as separate matters.

Shared responsibility is the new expectation. It will no longer be acceptable to shift blame to a supplier, fabricator, or installer. The new model is clear:

• If you specify it, you must justify it.
• If you sell it, you must back it.
• If you install it, you must evidence it.

An Opportunity for Responsible Businesses

This may feel like an increased burden, but it is a real opportunity for those who already operate with integrity. Businesses that maintain proper records, work transparently, and see compliance as part of their core delivery will thrive.

Main contractors increasingly demand subcontractors who can withstand audits. Homeowners are choosing installers who can demonstrate reliability and professionalism. Businesses that invest in traceability and accountability are gaining market advantage.

You don’t need a compliance department or expensive software what you need is consistency, honesty, and proof.

What Evidence Looks Like in Practice

Evidence does not have to be complicated. In the glazing sector, it is increasingly becoming standard practice to:

• Keep manufacturer data sheets and test reports on file
• Use products with markings and traceable identification
• Record installation methods and include photographic evidence of key stages
• Provide homeowners with clear handover documentation
• Work with transparent, responsive suppliers
• Use competent person scheme job registrations as part of traceability

These practices form part of the “golden thread of information”, a concept embedded in legislation that ensures critical safety data is created, stored, and updated throughout the building lifecycle. It protects the customer, the business, and the wider supply chain.

Why Certass Is Pushing Ahead

At Certass, we have already aligned our systems with this future. Job registration now requires product information, because without traceability, installers face unnecessary risks. We support our members not just by protecting them, but by preparing them. As part of government to industry dialogue, we help shape change and not just react to it.

The future will not reward those who shout the loudest. It will reward those who can prove what they’ve done, how it was done, and that it meets the required standard. Evidence-based performance is the new commercial standard.

Those who adapt now will build stronger reputations, win better work, and face less risk. Those who resist will fall behind.