Join A Discussion On The Code For Construction Product Information (CCPI)

Introduction

The Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI) is currently under consultation and will have a huge effect on how construction products are marketed in the UK. It has implications for manufacturers and specifiers alike, including marketers, PRs, technical and salespeople working in the construction product sector. This is an opportunity to hear about it and have your questions and concerns aired.

The construction industry is changing as a result of the tragedy at Grenfell. Subsequent government interventions include the Steering Group on Competencies which led the Construction Products Association to set up a Marketing Integrity Group. This group’s stated aim is to address the particular issue of shortcomings in product information identified by Dame Judith Hackitt in Chapter 7 of her report ‘Building A Safer Future’, in relation to marketing.*

Integrity is in our view one of four key elements to avoiding tragedies like Grenfell, alongside information, competence and regulation. On 4th December we wrote about the Marketing Integrity Groups’ work in our article Avoiding Failure: Product Data Post Grenfell and discussed these four essential elements further.

We are delighted that the CPA has now published its Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI) and launched an industry consultation, called ‘Better Data, Safer Building’.

• You can read the report on the CPA’s microsite here.
• You can also download pdfs of the questions for providers and users of construction products.

Please note this is a consultation and the document shared is just a first test summary. It is important that manufacturers look at it and ask themselves whether it it’s feasible, what it would involve implementing in their organisation, what the implications are and most importantly, what is missing to make it work. But please read it and take it seriously. If we are going to avoid mistakes in specification, getting information right is crucial.

The consultation opened on 1st February 2021 and runs until 31st March. The IET’s Plain Language Guide Editorial Board is working on a response from a digitisation perspective, and we’d like to hear your views as a manufacturer or user of construction product information to help in our response.
 

An Opportunity to Discuss the Code

Over the course of the last six months, we have built up quite a community of interest and a useful methodology for discussing topics relating to product data in the construction sector, particularly as it relates to manufacturers. To support the MIG’s efforts to deliver a solution, we want to use this community to participate in the consultation.

The consultation document includes the following guidance:

“Whilst we wish to understand Industry’s support for the Code generally, we are particularly seeking feedback on:

• How easy or difficult each area of the Code will be for your organisation to implement*
• How long it would take to implement in your organisation*
• Anything that you see as missing or any specific area of concern or ambiguity

* Whilst these questions are clearly aimed at ‘Manufacturers’, we are also keen for input from Users of ‘Product Information’ as to what this would mean for them, in embracing use of Code-compliant ‘Product Information’.”

We shall be holding an open call on 26th February at 11am to discuss the code and gather evidence and ideas from our community about these and related questions.
The call will follow our normal format with a brief presentation of the topic, followed by an open discussion that all attending can participate in.

Whilst the major part of the call will be this guided discussion, we have also invited Adam Turk, Chair of the Marketing Integrity Group, who is also a CEO of a manufacturer with many years in the industry, to introduce the code and the consultation for us. We shall also be joined by Catherine Fyfe of Polypipe who is deputy chair of the Marketing Integrity Group who will also be available to answer your questions.

Sign up to join the call

Please sign up to join us on the call here, and read the consultation report which introduces the code before you join us. We look forward to hearing your views. You can read an overview of our previous articles and discussions here.

As always, the Zoom Call will be recorded and made available afterwards on this blog.



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*Other initiatives related to product information include but are not limited to:

• The creation of the Construction Products Regulator ‘to ensure construction materials are safe’.
• The BEIS are looking at information requirements through their Golden Thread Initiative
• The Steering Group on Competencies has a Working Group 12 on Product which is looking at competencies in the use of product data. Their work is outlined in Raising the Bar and Setting the Bar.
• The BIM Interoperability Expert Group at the Centre for Digital Built Britain (CDBB) has a workstream on Standard Information Approach chaired by Anne Kemp.
• HACT, the ideas and innovation agency for the Housing Sector is publishing UK Housing Data Standards.