FIS has launched a new video to help support understanding of the process and values behind the Acoustic Verification Scheme.

This verification scheme was established in 2019 to introduce standard methodology and support honest and consistent declaration of acoustic performance, encouraging best practice and preventing inaccurate or misleading information from undermining the market and responsible manufacturers.

The video explains simply how products are tested and how the verification process helps specifiers and contractors to specify and select products safe in the knowledge that they will meet the expected performance.

The FIS Acoustic Verification Scheme currently covers partitions and operable walls.  FIS Member Linear Group uses the scheme to support their work.

Stephen Holmes CEO, Linear Group states: “We have now adopted the FIS Acoustic Verification Scheme on all relevant specifications for Linear Group. The scheme helps us to short-cut a complex verification process, safe in the knowledge that the test evidence we are confronted with has been interrogated and is both accurate in itself and we can be confident that the product we are installing will perform as designed.

Acoustics is a complex space and information can be misleading – this scheme gives us the reassurance we need as a contractor and we can pass this reassurance on to the customer.”

FIS CEO, Iain McIlwee added:

“The launch of the scheme has been really encouraging for two reasons, firstly as it is helping to make a difference in terms of winning back trust and supporting acoustic specification, but also because it is the embodiment of FIS values.  The scheme is about the industry deciding that there is a better way and doing something about it to regain and build trust, it is our community in action and I am proud to be part of it – FIS draws no income from running the scheme, it is, like FIS not for profit, but all about values and value.  We are encouraging all members who have products in scope to get their products verified and those installing and specifying to ensure that are checking products are verified.”

Currently the FIS Acoustic Verification covers Operable Walls and Partitions, but a working group is being formed to look at Pod products.  The verification work is done in batches and FIS is intending to put the next verification batch through before the end of April.  If you would like more information on the process email iainmcilwee@theife.org.

To watch the video and find out more about the scheme you can visit the FIS Acoustic Verification Hub here

A reminder that FIS has a Reverse Charge VAT Toolkit here, which includes previously recorded webinars.  If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to play them in.

RThe #StopReverseVAT campaign is off to a great start reaching more than 1.2 million social media users in its first week.

Whilst the Treasury’s position is still to introduce Reverse VAT on 1 March, the campaign is gathering pace and traction with an Early Day Motion being tabled by Kirsten Oswald MP calling for the Government to reconsider the implementation of Reverse VAT. Early Day Motions are a great way of drawing attention to subjects and increasing support for this motion is an excellent way of raising the profile of Reverse VAT within parliament. Kirsten has also contacted Build UK offering her support for the campaign.

Build UK has issued a press release in response to the Chancellor’s Plan for Jobs and Andy Steele, Vice Chairman of Build UK, spoke directly to the Construction Minister, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, urging her to raise the issue of Reverse VAT with her colleagues in the Treasury and make sure that they fully understand its impact on the industry and the supply chain.

Keep up the pressure

With the amount of interest already being shown, we want to keep up the pressure on the Government to withdraw the Reverse VAT legislation. You can really help by:

1. Writing to your Member of Parliament:
   1. highlighting the damaging impact Reverse VAT will have on your business, sector and the construction industry
   2. including the Reverse VAT Factsheet
   3. asking them to support Early Day Motion (EDM) 1466
2. Sharing more postcards using your Trade Association branding to show the range of sectors supporting the campaign
3. Liking, retweeting and commenting on social media postings that have used #StopReverseVAT
4. Include @HMTreasury @Jesse_Norman @RishiSunak @Annietrev #PlanforJobs in your postings on social media.

Read more on how the campaign to stop Reverse VAT is gaining momentum.