Useful links

ABHM
Association of Building Hardware Manufacturers - The Association comprises Britain's leading manufacturers of builders hardware, architectural ironmongery and door and window fittings, covering one of the most diverse ranges of products known to the building industry.
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APME
Association of Plastics Manufacturers in Europe - The voice of the plastics manufacturing industry, representing over 90 per cent of Western Europe's polymer production capacity - with a turnover of more than 29 billion euro.
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BBA
British Board of Agrément - An organisation, partnered with Government, that issues certificates which provide authoritative and independent information on the performance of building products.
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BFRC
British Fenestration Ratings Council - The BFRC is dedicated to the operation of a UK national rating system for the thermal performance of fenestration products.
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BRE
Building Research Establishment - BRE provides research-based consultancy, testing and certification services for the construction industry to customers world-wide.
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BRE Green Guide
The BRE is arguably the UK's leading knowledge on sustainable construction. Their "Green Guide to Specification" provides in-depth environmental information on major construction materials, including PVC-Windows.
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BSI
British Standards Institute - Founded in 1901, the BSI Group is a leading global provider of professional services to organizations worldwide.
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Building Design
Building Design and Construction Services Directory - provides information for Architects, Building Services Engineers and Surveyors.
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CPA
Construction Products Association - The CPA acts as a single, influential voice for the manufacturers and suppliers of construction products. Its aim is to build a growing, profitable and sustainable future for the construction products industry.
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ECVM
European Council of Vinyl Manufacturers - Rrepresents the European PVC producing companies and is a division of the APME. Its membership includes 12 leading European PVC producers which together account for over 95 per cent of Europe's production of PVC resin.
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EuPC
European Plastics Converters - The professional representative body of plastics converters within Europe whose activity embraces all sectors of the plastics converting industry including recycling.
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FENSA
Fenestration Self-Assessment - A scheme for companies that install windows and doors in dwellings, which provides an alternative to Building Control approval for window replacements.
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Flat Glass Recycling
This website gives details of the WRAP-funded flat glass recycling project being carried out by BRE.
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GAI
The Guild of Architectural Ironmongers - Promotes standards in integrity and excellence in the business of Architectural Ironmongery.
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HBF
House Builders Federation - The principal trade federation for private sector housebuilders and voice of the house building industry in England and Wales. Its 300 member firms account for over 80% of all new houses built in England and Wales in any one year.
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HSE
Health and Safety Executive - The HSE is responsible for the regulation of almost all the risks to health and safety arising from work activity in Britain.
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ISA
An Independent Surveyor is just that - independent. The surveyor will give a totally unbiased report tailored to the specific needs of the buyer, and offer independent advice upon which the buyer can base a decision, uninfluenced by any external considerations.
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LABC
Local Authority Building Control - Dedicated to maintaining the highest standards in building design and construction. LABC is a publicly accountable, independent building control provider.
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LHC
A public sector organisation that manages one of the largest procurement programmes for building components and services in the UK.
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NHBC
National House Building Council - The standard setting body and leading warranty and insurance provider for new and newly converted homes in the UK. Provides risk management services to the house-building and wider construction industry, NHBC has approximately 18,000 registered builders who agree to comply with our Rules and Standards.
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NQA
National Quality Assurance - A leading accredited certification body carrying out third party registration of management systems against the requirements of national and international standards.
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ODPM
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister - Responsible for policy on housing, planning, devolution, regional and local government and the fire service. It also takes responsibility for the Neighbourhood Renewal Unit and the Government Offices for the Regions.
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PVC Aware
PVC Aware is a new site to promote the useage of PVC across supply chains.
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Quality Mark
The Government-backed Quality Mark Scheme gives you access to independently inspected and approved tradesmen such as builders, roofers, glaziers, electricians and plumbers. All their work carries an automatic guarantee of up to six years.
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Recovinyl
Recovinyl is part of the Vinyl 2010 Voluntary Committment and seeks to increase the levels of PVC recycling carried out across the EU and UK.
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Rethinking Construction
Rethinking Construction - The banner under which the construction industry, its clients and the government are working together to improve UK construction performance. Rethinking Construction partners aim to showcase innovations in both products and performance through Demonstration Projects and highlight best practice available within the industry.
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RIBA
The Royal Institute of British Architects is the UK body for architecture and the architectural profession.
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RICS
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors – is the pre-eminent organisation of its kind in the world. As such, it represents everything that is good in the property profession.
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SFHA
Scottish Federation of Housing Associations - Almost 200 housing associations in Scotland are members of the SFHA, which was established in 1975. Commercial businesses involved or interested in the housing sector may also join as Associate Members.
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Vinyl 2010
The Voluntary Committment of the European PVC Industry - To help make PVC products more sustainable a voluntary programme of research and investment was developed, called Vinyl 2010.
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WRAP
WRAP helps individuals, businesses and local authorities to reduce waste and recycle more, making better use of resources and helping to tackle climate change.