UK construction hit by delays in post-Brexit certification scheme

Britain risks further shortages in construction supplies because of delays to a new UK certification scheme in the wake of Brexit, says industry body.

The UK is in the process of replacing the Europe-wide CE trade markings, used to certify construction products such as steel, glass and cladding for quality, conformity and authenticity, with a UKCA certification used for domestic goods.

But delays to the new testing scheme mean that tens of thousands of products are yet to be certified, threatening to raise material prices and cause supply backlogs that could delay building projects.

Peter Caplehorn, chief executive of the Construction Products Association, said thousands of products in common usage are waiting to be tested at an additional expense of up to £50,000 each, pushing up costs for manufacturers.

“We are extremely concerned about the prospect of delays at the end of the year and we need prompt government action to extend the deadline,” Caplehorn said.

“Construction has been doing well and we need this activity for the benefit of the UK economy but we are worried the lack of certification will constrain growth.”

From January 1 2022 almost all construction products entering the UK market will need the UKCA mark.

There are just 45 UK testing houses that can provide certification, versus around 700 in Europe, with almost no capacity for specialist products such as some glass and adhesives.

Caplehorn urged the government to allow products to be tested in labs outside the UK and for the deadline to be extended by two years.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, which sets the certification rules, said it would “continue to work with industry to ensure a smooth transition”.

The UK already has a shortage of building supplies due to growing demand for house renovations and global supply chain disruptions from the coronavirus pandemic.

On Tuesday the Construction Leadership Council, a joint industry and government body, warned that materials may need to be rationed if shortages worsened to ensure smaller firms get their share of dwindling supplies.

Brian Berry, chief executive of the Federation of Master Builders, a trade body, said: “Small, local builders are being hit hardest by material shortages and price rises.”

He said that members are experiencing price increases of 10 to 15 per cent on a range of categories, rising to 50 per cent on timber and 30 per cent on cement.

Around three quarters of construction products used in the UK are made domestically. European suppliers wanting to gain entry to the UK market may be blocked unless changes are made to the scheme.

The impact looks set to ripple beyond the construction industry to the wider economy. Rob Bartlett, chief executive of the British Valve and Actuator Association, said: “Some [European suppliers] won’t bother for such a small national market, or not get approved by the deadline, so it seems inevitable that materials particularly will come into short supply and . . . prices will rise as a result.”

Richard Waterhouse, consultant and ex-chief executive of NBS, the products specification body, said the new scheme had been brought in over an “incredibly short timescale”. 

The housing ministry said that businesses should continue to prepare for the end of recognition of the CE mark in Britain as they have responsibility to ensure that their products meet regulatory requirements.