In the years since Grenfell, the construction industry has undergone a seismic shift in how product performance is scrutinised. Under the Building Safety Act, manufacturers are expected not only to demonstrate compliance, but to prove it through independently verified testing and certification.
Why independent verification matters
Certification, therefore, must be visible and accessible to give specifiers, architects, contractors and installers confidence from the outset. Manufacturers can – and do – provide performance data within technical documentation such as data sheets. However, independent testing confirms that performance claims have been reviewed and verified by a third party.
The importance of system-level testing
Another important aspect of product testing is understanding performance at a system level. Testing the system, rather than individual products in isolation, ensures that the performance of the complete assembly is understood. For example, in flat roofing systems, insulation, membranes, adhesives must all perform together under fire testing conditions. Then can be classified to a BROOF (t4), provided it passes.
This is particularly important in the context of the Building Safety Act, which places greater emphasis on ensuring that the products supplied to a project meet requirements of the Building Regulations. As the regulatory landscape continues to evolve, manufacturers must be able to demonstrate clearly how their products meet these expectations through rigorous independent certification.
Testing the system, rather than individual products in isolation, ensures that the performance of the complete assembly is understood.
The rigour behind BBA certification
In the UK, one of the most widely recognised schemes is certification through the British Board of Agrément (BBA). The process involves months of collaboration with the certification body, extensive documentation, and detailed audits of all manufacturing processes and product performance data. It will begin with meetings to establish the scope of the certification, followed by an audit and gap analysis to ensure the necessary data and procedures are in place. The certification body will review production control data, technical documentation, installation guidance, and any other schemes and certificates held by the manufacturer.
Once certification is achieved, it must also be maintained. In the case of BBA certification, products and systems are subject to twice yearly audits, with formal renewals every three years. Any changes to manufacturing processes or product composition are carefully reviewed to ensure that certified performance remains valid.
This level of scrutiny requires a significant commitment from manufacturers — time, resources, and technical oversight — but it is precisely the credibility of schemes like the BBA, that are of intrinsic interest to Recticel.
Transparency and the role of CCPI
Alongside testing and certification, there is also an increasing focus on how product information is communicated. The Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI), which was developed by the Construction Product Association, aims to ensure that manufacturers present product performance clearly and accurately. Under the CCPI framework, all marketing materials, data sheets, and technical documentation state precisely what a product or system can do, without exaggeration or ambiguity. For architects, specifiers, and contractors, CCPI can provide greater confidence when interpreting product information and comparing solutions. It reinforces an important principle for the modern construction industry: performance claims must not be over stated, but be factual.
Building trust through certification
Taken together, certifications provide confidence that products have been properly tested, assessed and documented. For those working in construction, that level of assurance is essential when making decisions that affect building safety and long-term performance. Independent testing confirms that products perform as expected, rigorous schemes such as BBA demonstrate ongoing oversight, and frameworks like CCPI ensure that performance information is communicated clearly and responsibly.
