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TTA rescues industry standards

The Tile Association has come to the rescue of standards within the tiling industry by hosting the plenary meeting of the International Standards Organisation (ISO). In the world of Ceramic Tiles and Adhesives, it is this governing body that creates the standards to protect consumers and trade users.

The most important event of the year for ISO is the plenary meeting of the ISO Ceramics Committee. It is at this gathering of delegates to a worldwide event that major technical issues and the maintaining and planning of standards are discussed - this is vital to the health of the tile industry and ensures that a level playing field throughout the world is created and properly implemented.

This year the ISO Plenary Meeting was scheduled to be held in Japan, but following the disastrous Tsunami and the tragic destruction, Japan was forced to withdraw from hosting the event.

In an effort to ensure that this did not threaten the maintaining of standards within the international tile industry, The Tile Association stepped in - ensuring this vital ISO meeting would take place by offering to host the event which took place this week in London.

More than 100 delegates from around the world have now gathered at this meeting to discuss important technical standards to ensure that the production and installation of tiles and adhesives is carried out in a good and measurable quality to protect and inform consumers.

However, due to the last minute nature of this event as a consequence of the tragedy in Japan, The TTA had to look to major companies within the industry to help finance the event.

Displaying great benevolence, Shackerley Holdings Group, Mapei UK, N&C Nicobond, Schluter Systems, Ardex UK, Tiles UK and Tile Giant responded positively to requests from the TTA for financial support. Furthermore, TTA membership increased as companies saw the lengths The Tile Association has gone to in support of the industry and realised the many benefits membership offers.

"It was unfortunate, however, that while many companies rose to the challenge, providing the support needed to ensure that this event went ahead, there were also those who neglected to provide support for the industry, despite reaping the rewards of the work done by the International Standards Organisation and The Tile Association," says TTA representative Les Rolt. "However, thanks to TTA and the event sponsors, the tile industry can be thankful that the ISO Plenary Meeting was able to go ahead, and efforts to maintain standards will continue.

T: 0208 663 0946
F: 0208 663 0949
E: [email protected]
W: www.tiles.org.uk

18th November 2011