Trade Organisations
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By Paul Smith, technical chair, The Rooflight Association. As the trade association representing the UK’s rooflight industry, The Rooflight Association (RA) has existed in various guises (formerly NARM and ARM) since before the turn of the millennium. In its early days, one of the Association’s first actions was to commission research to resolve a perceived conflict in Part L of...
By Jon Vanstone, chair, Certass Trade Association. As the glazing industry looks ahead to the next wave of regulatory reform, it is clear that competency is firmly back on the agenda. With the Building Safety Regulator now at centre stage, the focus is shifting towards ensuring that every tradesperson is not only competent, but that the systems around them are...
Certass has announced its support for Building Our Skills – Making Fenestration a Career of Choice (BOS) – the industry initiative committed to introducing new people into the fenestration sector. BOS is said to have ‘a proven track record’ of engaging young people and guiding them into rewarding careers in fenestration and its related disciplines. Through partnerships with employers, training...
The BFRC is a name synonymous with driving industry standards and is the UK’s most established and widely recognised rating organisation for verifying the energy performance of windows and doors. Here, manging director, Richard Sellman, explains why the focus of the organisation is firmly fixed on continuing to make a real difference. The need to improve standards across the construction...
GGF training and technical manager John Mannell recently attended the UAP and FDM industry round table on behalf of the Glass and Glazing Federation group of companies. John’s attendance forms part of the GGF’s overall drive to represent proactively the interests of its members across the industry in all matters relating to compliancy and competency, particularly in the wake of...
The GGF and FENSA have reported a ‘vibrant and buzzing’ stand at the recent FIT Show. As well as the activities of the GGF and FENSA themselves (including the launch of marketing reports and publications), and an introduction to ACDM members, representatives from the organisation’s other companies – BFRC, RISA and Installsure – were bringing visitors up to date with...
As part of its ongoing drive to support all sectors within the fenestration industry, the Glass & Glazing Federation has announced a strategic partnership with The Joinery Network. The GGF and TJN have committed to working together to ensure TJN licence holders and GGF members have access to the latest regulatory and technical information and support. Ultimately, the goal is...
The BFRC has reported a highly successful three days at the 2025 FIT Show. Richard Sellman, BFRC managing director, explained: “We had a fantastic few days at the FIT Show – I genuinely believe this year’s was the best one yet! “It proved a timely event for us as an organisation. Having recently extended our service offering it was the...
By Ben Wallace, managing director, Glass & Glazing Federation. From its inception, the GGF has had a clear mission: to represent and support the diverse interests of the glass and glazing industry while upholding the highest standards of excellence, ethical practices and quality. Through advocacy, technical expertise and a focus on continuous improvement and development, the GGF has helped shape...
By Jon Vanstone, chair of Certass. Sustainability is no longer a side consideration in the glazing industry – it is at the heart of how we must operate. With carbon reduction targets becoming ever more pressing, the conversation around the environmental impact of our products has never been more relevant. While glass recycling schemes are an important step in the...
Almost 30 years since the Ratings Council was founded to establish the Window Energy Ratings system for the UK, Richard Sellman, managing director of the BFRC, explains how 2025 is shaping up to be one of their most exciting years yet. Since 1997, the BFRC has played an important role in helping to raise standards across the fenestration industry. As...
The Council for Aluminium in Building has launched a new U-value Charter, one that is designed to bring clarity and continuity to aluminium window, door and curtain walling, performance data. Launched on the CAB Stand at this month’s FIT Show, the new voluntary scheme commits signatories to standardise u-value calculations. It means CAB members who sign-up to the charter commit...
By Jon Vanstone, chair, Certass TA. There is a great deal of conversation around artificial intelligence (AI) and the role it may play in reshaping traditional sectors like glazing and home improvement. One thing is certain, AI is not something on the horizon as it is already part of our daily operations. Whether in customer service, compliance monitoring, or consumer...
The Council for Aluminium in Building will hold its 2025 technical conference – Building in the Future, at the University of Loughborough on 15 May. With big regulatory changes already taking effect including rollout of the Budling Safety Act and PAS2030/PAS2035, plus a shift change in technology, CAB’s technical conference is designed to keep members ahead of the changes that...
Leads 2 Trade will be supporting FENSA on stand G40B at the FIT Show on Wednesday, 30 April as its approved third-party lead generation partner. Representatives from Leads 2 Trade will be available from 2pm to discuss the exclusive benefits offered to FENSA approved installers, including a 10% discount on both premium and hot key leads. Andy Royle, director and...
Installsure, the specialised insurance provider of insurance backed guarantee schemes for the GGF has strengthened its existing IBG, a move that is designed to bring cost and administrative benefits to its 2,500+ strong network of window, door and conservatory installers across the UK. Installsure has taken this opportunity to review its existing IBG structure and make changes in line with...
What will US tariffs do to the UK construction industry? Nigel Headford, chief executive, Council for Aluminium in Building reflects. ‘Unprecedented’, ‘the end of globalisation’, ‘an economic nuclear winter’ – the language used to describe the introduction of sweeping tariffs by the Trump administration at the start of this month, are emotive. They aren’t, however, a surprise. Donald Trump was...
The BFRC is now expanding its service offering, with new testing and certification services that will each be underpinned by ‘The BFRC Difference’. BFRC managing director, Richard Sellman, explained: “We’re committed to exceeding the high standards our members and clients have come to expect. We want to move away from that typical customer / supplier relationship, and grow our reputation...
RISA, the GGF company that specialises in inspections and auditing, is launching an ‘Expert Determination’ service to help settle cases in the event of a dispute. The service will help window companies save significant time and costs by avoiding legal action and court proceedings. Through the scheme, installers will have access to independent RICS trained experts who are qualified to...
With CSCS ending ‘Grandfather Rights’ and a tightening up of MTC requirements for installers and surveyors, the GGF says it is using this year’s FIT Show as an opportunity to demonstrate how companies can complete compliancy quickly, easily and cost effectively through its recently launched online training platform and industry partnerships. Visitors to the stand will be able to participate...