As third-party certification becomes increasingly important for architects and specifiers, The British Board of Agrément (BBA) celebrates the latest Agrément Certifications achieved by manufacturers from overseas. BBA Agrément Certifications have recently been awarded in the EU, Saudi Arabia and Japan, highlighting the BBA’s role in supporting international manufacturers navigating the highly regulated UK market. Working with organisations from over 70 countries, the BBA’s ongoing efforts to provide independent and impartial trusted third-party assessment, ensures that products meet the necessary safety, quality, standards and performance criteria and are fit-for- purpose for use in the UK.  

As an independent certification body, the BBA impartially evaluates products to demonstrate compliance with the UK building regulations and suitability for use in UK building design. For international manufacturers, Agrément Certification can help establish credibility in a new market where no standards exist for a product, particularly for new innovations. Third-party validation can significantly improve trust within the construction sector, and help companies distinguish their products from competitors. 

BBA’s Sales and Marketing Director, Katy Roberts comments: “BBA certification is an important ‘gold standard’ asset for overseas manufacturers looking to enter the highly regulated UK construction market. The BBA’s Agrément Certificate gives manufacturers a competitive edge, particularly for new products launching in the UK for the first time. With a certification process that shows compliance with UK building regulations, the BBA provides essential third-party assurance to specifiers and end users alike. Already trusted by organisations in over 70 countries, our team is proud to support our international clients to grow in the UK.” 

Recent certificates awarded to overseas manufacturers include: 

• Mada Gypsum Company Ltd – Mada External Sheathing Board:  A glass fibre-reinforced gypsum boards, for use as a non-load bearing sheathing board in weatherproof façade constructions. The product is for use behind a drained and ventilated rain-screen cladding, over vertical light gauge steel-frame external walls, in new and existing buildings above the damp-proof course (DPC) level, and external ceiling applications. 

• Nichiha Corporation: The recent certification relates to the Nichiha EX Series Cladding system, compromising fibre cement panels hung in horizontal or vertical orientations on Nichiha starter tracks, for use as a back-ventilated and drained rainscreen cladding system, on external masonry, time or steel-frame walls of new and existing buildings. 

• Prefa Aluminiumprodukte GmbH – Prefa Coil-Coated Aluminium Coil and Sheet: The certificate relates to PREFA Prefalz P10, a coil-coated aluminium coil and sheet for use in its profiled form as fully supported external roofing and cladding or internal lining. 

• Naue GmbH & Co. KG – Secugrid and Combigrid Geosynthetics:  Secugrid Q1 Geogrids and Combigrid Q1 GRK 4 C, are polymeric products consisting of polypropylene materials for use as soil stabilisation of roads and working platforms, to improve the bearing capacity with focus to increase the serviceability of unbound granular layers where static, cyclic and dynamic loads are applied to the structure in accordance with BS EN 13249 : 2016 and BS EN 13251 : 2016. 

• Schody Chudzinski Piotr Chudzinski – Schody Chudzinski – Prefabricated Stair Kits: The kit consists of steps, strings, fasteners, barriers and handrails. The steps with the strings and the strings with the floors are connected by fasteners. The steps, strings, barriers and handrails are made of solid wood and the fasteners are made of steel.  

• FSA Systems B.V. – Surebond Bituminous Roofing Membranes: A polyester reinforced, SBS modified bituminous membrane and air and vapour control layers for use as a fully or partially adhered, single layer waterproofing system on new and existing buildings. The system is for use on pitched, flat and protected roofs, and podia, with limited access or pedestrian access with suitable protection. 

Throughout the process and product lifecycle, the BBA offers UK and international manufacturers product testing, manufacturing quality control and installation quality assurance. The BBA team is able to communicate in a range of languages and can advise on any potential issues of market difference, for example whether a product is suitable for use in the UK climate. 

Accredited by UKAS, the UK’s National Accreditation Body, the BBA’s competency is regulated to ensure it upholds rigorous and robust testing standards. By supporting international manufacturers in the building supply chain, the BBA helps to ensure that safe and reliable products can be introduced to the UK construction sector, which align with the highly regulated landscape. 

Click here for a full list of new BBA certifications

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