Substitution guidance

The GGF has launched a new guidance document on product substitutions to help companies comply with regulations.

With changes imminent for compliance marking and Building Regulations, the industry needs to ensure that the products manufactured and used are fit for purpose, have been tested, and are proven to meet the legal and health and safety requirements for the application, the GGF said.

David Borland, GGF senior technical officer, said: “The substitution of vital components within a product’s composition can have distinct effect on its performance, whether it’s a window or door or any glazing product placed on the market.”

This new guidance from the GGF informs window and doorset fabricators of their roles and responsibilities in ensuring that products placed on the market consistently meet the claimed performance standards as tested and/or certified by a third-party such as BSI Kitemark.

“This new Guide highlights possible issues and problems that can occur when substituting products in place of those of a system house component supplier or other manufacturer which are approved, tested and/or certified,” David Borland said.

“Knowing these potential problems is particularly important when third-party type testing is cascaded and used to support product safety and performance claims for certification and/or regulatory compliance.”