KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
28th January 2021
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BMA uses its unique position to pave the way for new industry agreement
A recent meeting of the main players in the bathroom industry, organised by the award-winning Bathroom Manufacturers Association, has broken new ground in establishing a framework for process improvement for product certification.
Whether we like it or not bathroom products produced for sale in the UK must meet laid-down legal standards.
A sure way of meeting these standards is via third party certification. This is a voluntary route and being free from mandatory controls is the simplest way to obtain certification.
Compliance gives us all the security that when connected to a public water supply products won't endanger our health or harm the environment. It ensures that they are fit for purpose, meet regulations and meet the demands of retailers, merchants and specifiers, particularly in the health sector.
The bathroom industry spends millions during the design, manufacture and certification process. It takes months - if not years - to bring an all-new product to market and the last thing any manufacturer wants is for its big marketing debut to be held up by a sluggish certification process. Delays can cause lost commercial opportunities so understanding the process is key to improving the procedure.
To clear the way for a much improved and speedier system, the main players in the bathroom industry, together with the testing laboratories of KIWA and WRc-NCF and the WRAS certification body, were invited by the BMA to attend an exploratory meeting at Stoke's Britannia Stadium.
Around 60 of the industry movers and shakers gathered for the meeting, chaired by Ian Stuart, the BMA's President, to identify bottlenecks and pinch points in the process.
"We are delighted with progress we have made," declares Yvonne Orgill, the BMA's CEO. "Working together to resolve the issues is a clear way of showing that partnership benefits all - another benefit of membership of the BMA."
The frank discussions resolved to improve the process and find a much quicker way to bring certified innovative and sustainable bathroom products to market.
T: 01782 631619
E: [email protected]
W: www.bathroom-association.org
10th August 2012