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GGF Meeting dates for 2022

The GGF calendar is packed full with Members meetings in the technical groups, regions, countries, committees and Members’ events.

Meetings will continue via video (ZOOM) but the GGF are anticipating that it may be possible to start holding physical face to face meetings in the summer. To find out more about GGF Meetings or if you wish to attend please contact the designated Secretary by email in the table below.

See full calendar below.

There is no question that despite the lengthy negotiations between the UK and the EU prior to the signing of the Brexit Agreement at the eleventh hour, many elements of future trading were not put in place. This is certainly true for the Construction Industry when it comes to compliance with the Construction Products Regulations (CPR) which had been a legal requirement in the UK since the 1st of July 2013.  

The EU Construction Products Regulation 305/2011 was originally intended to remove technical barriers to the trade of construction products in the European single market. It placed obligations on manufacturers, distributors and importers of construction products to ensure that product covered by a harmonised European Standard (hEN). The CPR requires all construction products within the scope of a hEN, must have a Declaration of Performance created by the economic operator and the product must be CE marked. 

The UK Government’s intention to continue with CPR was confirmed with the introduction of Statutory Instrument No. 465 in 2019 followed by Statutory Instrument No. 1359 in 2020. 

It is clear in the first few months of 2021, that the original intent of CPR to allow free movement of compliant product throughout the EU is now working against that principle and has created a barrier for free movement of product. Here are some areas of concern for our members. 

UK Testing Centres cannot certify products for the EU market 

The EU will not accept test reports, either new or existing, issued by UK testing bodies. This is contradicted by the EU stating that acceptance of test reports has to be made by the individual organisation.  

This requires to be clarified by Government. 

Under the Northern Ireland Protocol, UK Approved Bodies can act as UK Notified Bodies to enable CE marking for products destined for Northern Ireland.  

This anomaly needs to be rectified. 

If a product is being placed on the European market, it will require the use of an EU Notified Body to enable affixing of the CE mark. 

It is also important to note that from the 1st January 2022 the UK will cease to recognise CE marking in Great Britain and EU products will also have to switch to UKCA marking. It is yet to be established if EU test reports will be accepted in support of UKCA marking. 

A duplication of testing and conformity assessment if product is placed on both the UK and EU market including the Republic of ireland. 

The issue with AVCP3s 

The use of AVCP3 requires an Initial Type Test (ITT) to be issued by a Notified Test Laboratory, after which a manufacturer can self-certify. This historic data would have been sourced from a Notified Body either in the UK or elsewhere in Europe. The change from EU Notified Body to UK Authorised Body should have no effect on its validity. 

UK test reports are no longer recognised by the EU (as at 1st January 2021). This unilaterally invalidates all existing AVCP3 testing carried out in the UK. For the EU market these tests must be repeated or redone at an EU27 Notified Body in order to affix the CE mark (unless for the Northern Ireland market, see above) 

Duplication of testing to hEN and newly assigned UK Designated Standards when they are exactly the same is completely unnecessary and would incur needless costs to the UK manufacturer. The UK have agreed to accept CE marked product from the EU until 31st December 2021 which is not reciprocated creating an unlevel playing field until that time.UK test houses cannot carry out all relevant tests for our industry and have historically been undertaken by EU laboratories 

If there is no UK Approved Body able to carry out specific testing previously carried out by EU test houses and the Updated Memorandum of Understanding between Government and UKAS states that only UK Approved Bodies have to be used to enable manufacturers to affix UKCA marking. For those products that can be tested by UK Authorised Bodies, the additional workload from the EU may cause substantial delay in receiving results due to the limited capacity of the testing houses. 

With no UK facility to carry out some of these tests and possible capacity issue, how can this work? 

There are other issues relating to the operational side of Conformity Marking but I have chosen to focus on the practical side in this article. Members can be assured that the GGF is in regular and frequent discussion with Government in regard to dealing with these problems and how we are able to assist. We are also working closely with other associations through the Construction Products Authority (the CPA) as almost all other sectors of the Construction Industry face the same problems. Our colleagues in Europe are also campaigning with the European Parliament as this situation will also affect them in the same manner after the end of 2021. 

At the time of writing we are aware that the MHCLG and UKAS are hoping to provide at least a temporary measure to resolve these issues very soon. However, the ideal solution would be in the form of a Mutual Recognition Agreement covering product testing by EU Notified Bodies and UK Approved Bodies.  

A subsequent article on the Northern Ireland Protocol and Conformity Marking will be published in a future edition of Members First. 

The GGF will keep members informed on any changes to this situation. Members wishing more information should contact the Technical Department at technical@ggf.org.uk   

The GGF Marketing and Communications Committee (MCC) invites Members from the Home Improvement sector and Manufacturing and/or Glass Processing sector to put themselves forward for election onto the Marketing and Communications Committee.

There are currently three spaces available and we are looking for representatives from the Home Improvement and Manufacturing/Glass Processing sectors.

The MCC scope and remit is to provide an advisory and steering role for the GGF’s marketing communications and external affairs strategies, activities and resources to ensure the best value and benefit for GGF Members.

The seven GGF Members who currently form the MCC are from different sectors, locations and backgrounds. They are custodians of the GGF brand and are responsible for ensuring the external image and reputation of the GGF is protected and projected well to all audiences. 

The current issues the Committee is working on include:

• GGF consumer marketing campaigns Stay Safe with MyGlazing.com and Think Glass
• New GGF Publications
• GGF web content and digital developments
• GGF presence at industry events and exhibitions
• GGF Members’ events including Members’ Day
• Trade Press/Media Relations and PR

What’s expected of successful applicants:

• To attend approximately 3 x 2 hour meetings per year (currently these are by video link but if they are held face to face then they would be at the GGF HQ in London and travelling expenses are paid within the GGF Expenses Guidelines)
• To share expertise / knowledge of marketing/PR/media or events
• To exercise votes on any motions/activity or elections of Chairs and Vice Chairs for the Committee
• To proofread/check any documents sent to the MCC for approval
• To occasionally attend any industry exhibitions/events or GGF events on behalf of the committee such as Chairpersons’ Forum

To put yourself forward to be part of the GGF Marketing and Communications Committee please send your CV to the MCC Secretary, Tom Butler via email at tbutler@ggf.org.uk.

Alternatively if you would like to know more about the MCC please email tbutler@ggf.org.uk or for an informal chat on the MCC feel free to call Tom Butler on 0798 3443740.

The GGF has joined the Construction Industry Coronavirus (CICV) Forum – a proactive and innovative platform that draws on expertise from 26 organisations including trade bodies, professional associations, government agencies, private companies and training bodies, to support Scotland’s building sector during the pandemic.

The Construction Industry Coronavirus (CICV) Forum was formed in early March 2020 in response to the urgent COVID-19 threat to people and business. With a focus firmly on collaborative action, the Forum brings together senior representatives from construction trade and professional associations whose members operate the length and breadth of Scotland’s built environment supply chain. Whether merchant/wholesaler, contractor, or multi-million-pound building firm, Scotland’s construction sector is fighting to keep its people, businesses and livelihoods intact during the pandemic.

By pooling expertise and knowledge, the Forum represents the interests of Scotland’s diverse construction supply chain with one consistent voice. Forum priorities include lobbying the Scottish Government to influence policy and to push for positive action, and to give expert focus to important sector issues including commercial, employment, planning for the future, skills, and health and safety.

The Forum is chaired by Alan Wilson of SELECT, Scotland’s trade association for electrical contractors. When Ann-marie Waugh, Secretary of GGF Scotland first heard of the Forum, she made contact with SELECT to ensure the GGF were included in this important platform which is for the benefit of both companies operating in Scotland and Scottish consumers employing construction companies and tradespeople.

As the Forum continued its work of dissemination of advice and guidance, Forum Chair and Select Managing Director Alan Wilson said:

“We are delighted to welcome the GGF and we greatly appreciate the contribution they will make to our ongoing efforts. The Forum, in its daily activities and in its comprehensive provision of practical information and advice, has performed an unprecedented service to every component part of our vital industry and each new member brings new strengths.”

On joining CICV Forum, James Lee, GGF Director of External Affairs, said:

“We are pleased to join the CICV Forum as we share similar values and standards. Our aim is to contribute our views, concerns and information to the important work that the Forum continues to do on behalf of the broader industry. It is vitally important at this time to collaborate with like-minded organisations as the UK construction industry faces up to its greatest ever challenge.”

Since its creation in March, the Forum has been drawing on the collective expertise of its members to maintain a steady supply of information and practical advice to the sector as well as carrying out surveys, hosting webinars and making appeals to Government Ministers.

The manner in which it has co-ordinated this guidance by encouraging a culture of working together for mutual benefit is being noted across the sector as a model for future collaboration.

To find out more about CICV Forum please visit here

Website: www.cicvforum.co.uk  

Twitter: https://twitter.com/cicvforum

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cicv-forum/

GQA, GGF and FENSA Give Their Assessment

Hot on the heels of news that the Universities Minister believes the education system is too geared to directing young people onto courses that do nothing to prepare them for later life, a YouGov survey* commissioned by GQA Qualifications has revealed that parents tend to agree. The nationwide survey of just over 1,000 parents with school-age children has brought to light some fascinating insights into their current attitudes towards university attendance, vocational training, careers and qualifications, alongside their wider perception of the fenestration industry.

Over 60% of respondents agreed that for decades we have been recruiting too many young people onto university courses that do nothing to improve their life chances or help with their career goals. In addition, over 75% agreed that vocational training, careers and/or vocational qualifications could be beneficial to young people as an alternative career path to going to university. 

For GQA, the fenestration industry’s leading awarding body, what the survey reveals about parents’ perceptions of the availability of advice about the vocational routes is particularly interesting. Only 24% believe there is sufficient advice readily available: a direct challenge for those who want to raise awareness of alternatives to further education.

Commenting on this point, Mick Clayton, GQA’s Chief Executive Officer said:

“I am concerned for young people for whom this country seems to be creating the ‘perfect storm’.  On the one hand we have an explosion in university courses from which neither young people nor society benefit. And on the other hand is a commonly held belief that advice concerning vocational routes is not readily available. We need to be doing more to tackle this situation. In the fenestration industry, business leaders need to get the message out there that help is at hand for young people, and that vocational training, careers and qualifications are viable alternatives to university for them.  This is one of the key roles for the Building Our Skills – Making Fenestration a Career of Choice campaign, and I would urge as many industry employers and other bodies as possible to support the work it is doing.

“I am, however, heartened by the survey revelation regarding how the fenestration industry is perceived by the parents questioned. Over half of respondents were not averse to their children one day entering this industry. I would hope that as the reputation of the industry continues to improve year on year, more and more parents would encourage their children down this route when they are of employable age. More parents taking part in the survey agreed with the idea of the fenestration industry being a potential career path for their child than those who did not. This is certainly welcome news.”

During a recent presentation of the YouGov survey results with Mick Clayton, representatives of the GGF and FENSA also gave their feedback.

John Agnew, GGF Managing Director said:

 “There is a perceived lack of value in the notion of ‘apprenticeships’ in modern society, compared with years gone by.  In the past an apprenticeship was a gateway to a successful career with progression and the appropriate rewards. Today, it is often looked on as a means to access cheap labour, and is undervalued.  If we could address this and change the perception of apprenticeships then this would help us to attract more people to the industry as a career choice. Ultimately it would be great to have more legislation to improve standards in the industry.”

Chris Beedel, FENSA’s Director of Membership added:

“The need for a far-reaching careers service is demonstrated clearly by this survey.  Parents clearly support the vocational careers route, but do not have anywhere near enough information available to them to make informed decisions.  This is something we as an industry need to do more to support. We can all do more to raise awareness of the industry. It is why FENSA is so fully behind the BOS’s ‘Inspiring the Future’ campaign to send glass and glazing staff into schools to talk about the industry.  It is a positive move and one in which we encourage as many people as possible to get involved.”

Anda Gregory Managing Director, GGF Commercial who also sits on the GQA board as a FENSA representative said:

“There has been an issue since polytechnics started to become university campuses.  Parents clearly understand that not all children are academic and they value the vocational route.  The results of this survey demonstrate that clearly.”

More information on GQA is available at www.gqaqualifications.com.

The GGF needs your views like never before as we continue with our campaigning, lobbying and communications to Governments (devolved, local and central) and industry groups.

We are representing you directly to Government at work streams, forums, focused groups and roundtables. In addition, we are also heavily involved in the broader construction industry working groups and forums.

Your concerns and our collective data from surveys etc., are being presented to key influencers and policy makers for the construction, manufacturing and home improvement sectors. However, we need your input. So help yourself by helping us substantiate your concerns and views.

Please take five minutes to complete our COVID-19 Survey, it is completely anonymous and the only data used will be the collective data. We will share the results of the survey in July.

You can take part in the GGF COVID-19 Survey here https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/D2LP2TJ