Code for Construction Product Information CCPI

1 Introduction
2 An 11-point code
3 Oversight
4 Complaints
5 Related articles on Designing Buildings

[edit] Introduction

The formation of the Construction Products Association (CPA) came about on 1 March 2000 following the merger of the National Council of Building Materials Producers and the Association of Construction Products and Suppliers.

The CPA describes itself as, ‘...a single voice to promote and campaign for construction product manufacturers and suppliers in the UK.’ It represents the UK’s manufacturers and distributors of construction products and materials. Members can be companies, trade associations, affiliate members or associates.

[edit] An 11-point code

In 2018, the CPA established the Marketing Integrity Group (MIG). This came in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower fire and Dame Judith Hackitt’s Building A Safer Future report. The primary purpose of the MIG is to examine the issues raised about building safety by the Hackitt report and to renew the reputation of those in the construction industry by improving credibility, confidence and accountability.

In 2019, the MIG surveyed industry professionals to assess what steps could be taken to rebuild trust in the quality of construction products so architects, consultants, contractors, engineers and other end users would once again be confident in the items they specify and purchase. Respondents indicated the need for reliable information including accurate and up to date performance data that was clear and accessible.

Based on the result of this survey, the MIG set out to develop an 11-point Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI). In January 2021, it published Construction Product Information: Better Data, Safer Building.

An industry wide consultation runs from 1 February 2021 to 31 March 2021. The purpose of the consultation is to collect opinions from professionals on the 11 points of the code and to gauge acceptance for implementation, management and monitoring of it once it is adopted.

[edit] Oversight

The CPA has joined with the Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) to create Construction Product Information Limited (CPIL). The role of CPIL will be to guard the Code, to assess and verify registrations and to manage and audit registrants on an ongoing basis.

As a not-for-profit organisation, CPIL will be responsible for administering and managing CCPI under the guidance of the CCS. It is owned by the Construction Umbrella Bodies (Holdings) Ltd, made up of the CPA and the Construction Industry Council (CIC).

Once operational, the delivery and operation of the CCPI will be self-financing and will benefit from utilising relevant shared services with CCS to keep costs as low as possible for users. The CCS has prior experience in this area based on its independent establishment of the Building a Safer Future Charter.

[edit] Complaints

A portal will be created to enable the reporting of complaints and issues. These complaints will be investigated by CPIL.

If issues are not resolved, there is a possibility that the company’s CCPI licence will be suspended and a notice placed on the website to this effect. If it remains unresolved, the CCPI licence could be permanently withdrawn. This could lead to further action by Trading Standards.