The Government is accused of damaging the UK’s construction industry with
the continued confusion surrounding CE Marking and UKCA.
The Construction Products Association (CPA) has warned, following
clarification from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
(DLUHC), that the Government announcement
about an indefinite extension to the use of CE marking for UK businesses does not pertain to the construction
products sector.
Instead, the situation for construction products remains the same and
recognition of the CE mark will continue until 30th June 2025.
At that point implementation of the UK CA marking scheme is set to become
mandatory.
“We fear that policy makers do not fully understand or appreciate the
gravity of this policy position not only for our sector and the construction
industry, but indeed for any government ambitions related to the UK’s housing,
schools, hospitals, infrastructure and wider built environment,” explained Peter
Caplehorn, Chief Executive of the CPA.
“The CPA has long argued that every day that manufacturers have to wait for
clarification from government causes more damage. This uncertainty has
exacerbated product availability issues, led to UK and foreign manufacturers
pulling products from the UK market, diminished investment and R&D, and
therefore negatively impacted jobs and the ability of the product sector to
support the UK construction industry every day.
“We hope that today’s announcement reflects a new appreciation by policy
makers of the cost and burden caused by the CA Mark scheme.
“We will appreciate further discussions with the government to ensure the UK
construction products sector sees similar clarity very soon.”
