Leading merchants and distributors step forward for first CCPI assessments

Leading merchants and distributors have stepped up to support the Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI) and committed to raise standards in the industry.

Belgrade Insulations Ltd, CCF Ltd (part of the Travis Perkins Group), Quantum Insulation Ltd, SIG Trading Ltd and VJ Technology Ltd are the first merchants and distributors to commit to assessment against the CCPI and are therefore playing an essential role in driving much needed change across the sector.

A 4-clause version of the CCPI has been specifically designed and targeted for merchants, distributors and wholesalers. This has been achieved with the support of the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) and its members through their regional groups, the Construction Products Association (CPA – which is also the organisation credited as the founder of the CCPI), the Electrical Distributors Association (EDA) and the NMBS.

Dame Judith Hackitt, author of the Building a Safer Future Review and Chair of the Industry Safety Steering Group said, “I am delighted to see Merchants and Distributors signing up to this. This will have a significant impact on the behaviour of the whole supply chain. Well done to these early adopters.”

From the National Construction Products Regulator, Duncan Johnson Deputy Director Construction Products said, “Effective management of product information is an essential element of ensuring better, safer buildings. OPSS warmly welcomes this latest CCPI initiative.”

Amanda Long, Chief Executive of CPI Ltd, the not-for-profit independently-run organisation set-up to manage the CCPI said, ‘It is great to see the first merchants and distributors adopt and commit to the CCPI. In adopting the principles of the Code, merchants and distributors are supporting the construction industry’s need for greater accuracy and clarity in terms of the product information being supplied upon which installation decisions are based. This is critical as so often they are reproducing and managing construction product information. Watch this space for further CCPI merchants and distributors announcements to come!’

The CCPI Merchants and Distributors assessment means that the organisation will be assessed to have the necessary product information processes and systems in place to uphold the Code, and will adhere to the clauses diligently whilst proactively promoting and supporting the adoption of the Code with their suppliers.

CCPI, having announced its first product set verifications at the beginning of September, is gaining momentum. The Scheme now has approximately 50 companies either already through or in process for the CCPI Organisational Assessment, (which is the gateway element of the CCPI assessment process), and more than 50 product sets (relating to in excess of 700 products) with product information either verified or in process of verification.

The launch of the CCPI Merchants and Distributors version now provides the opportunity for this critical element of the supply chain ecosystem to play its part in delivering positive tangible change in the sector, helping to deliver greater confidence to customers and benefiting building safety. Merchants and distributors are central to the supply ecosystem of construction products and managing product information. It is estimated that somewhere between 50-60% of products go out through merchants and distributors.