by Clair Mooney | Jan 29, 2019 | Main News Feed
CE Marking is driven by the Construction Products Regulations (CPR), which will have to change after Brexit. Thankfully, if you manufacture or import products for the UK market where CE Marking is mandatory (i.e. there is a Harmonised European Norm (hEn)) changes will be minimal for most. For products placed on the UK market after exit day there will be an equivalent UK Mark available if you use a UK Approved Body. If you use an EU Recognised notified body you can continue to use the CE Mark. If you are exporting to the EU, you will be required to use an EU based notified body. It is vital that you talk to your current notified body to understand how there status and how this will impact your product marking requirements. FIS and our umbrella body Construction Products Association will continue to monitor and report on any change in this area.
Information is included in our Brexit Checklist available here and MHCLG are also providing guidance specifically on the CPR here.
by Clair Mooney | Jan 25, 2019 | Main News Feed
Respondents to the CPA State of Trade Survey Q4 2018 experienced a strong end to 2018, with 27% of heavy side manufacturers and half of light side manufacturers reporting a rise in sales. Growth in factory output is anticipated to rise further in the opening quarter of 2019, with 64% of heavy side firms and 38% of those on the light side expecting an increase in sales in the January-March period.
Members can read the full report here.
by Clair Mooney | Jan 25, 2019 | Labour, Main News Feed
The Home Office has published the future skills-based immigration system white paper which sets out the Government’s plans to introduce a new single immigration system, ending free movement.
Through Build UK, FIS has supported this important piece of work and we would like to thank all of our members who took the time to respond to the questionnaire. The report identifies occupations that are experiencing, or may experience shortages, of available staff in the UK construction sector.
Helen Yeulet, FIS skills delivery director said: ‘It is concerning, but not surprising to see a number of our interiors trades, pulled out in the list of “severe difficulties now” against the back drop of Brexit looming, with Drylining an obvious highlight,. We will be working with Build UK and other trade bodies to inform MPs and the relevant Ministers to ensure that the implications are understood.
Our views on the recommendations from the Migration Advisory Committee are clear, they simply don’t address the very real problem we face in terms of delivering the skills we need in the numbers we need in a realistic timeframe. The supply chain absolutely understand the need to invest and develop our workforce and we have a very busy programme doing this, but setting arbitrary triggers around qualifications and salaries around need and demand makes no sense at all, creating a real risk to the construction sector.’
by Clair Mooney | Jan 25, 2019 | Main News Feed
FIS is working with Build UK on the new industry pre-qualification (PQ) system, which is due for soft launch in March. When it is rolled out later this year, it is anticipated that companies will be audited once a year by a recognised assessment body and this will be accepted by clients and contractors which will not specify a particular assessment body. For full details click here.
As part of ongoing work it would be useful to establish which PQ systems are being used. Please complete the poll below.
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by Clair Mooney | Jan 21, 2019 | Main News Feed
If you’re an EU citizen, you and your family will be able to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living in the UK after 30 June 2021. If your application is successful, you’ll get either settled or pre-settled status.
You may be able to stay in the UK without applying – for example, if you’re an Irish citizen or have indefinite leave to remain (ILR).
The EU Settlement Scheme will open fully by 30 March 2019. You may be able to apply now if you meet the criteria. The deadline for applying will be 30 June 2021 (NB: The deadline for applying will be 31 December 2020 if the UK leaves the EU without a deal).
When you choose to apply may depend on your circumstances.
More here: https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
by Clair Mooney | Jan 21, 2019 | Main News Feed
According to the latest CPA forecast, construction output is forecast to remain broadly flat in 2019 before growth of 1.6% in 2020 (assuming a revised Brexit Withdrawal Agreement that enables the UK to enter an implementation period or a delay to Article 50 to allow a renegotiation with the EU).
