BWF warns on legislation overload

The British Woodworking Federation (BWF) is calling for the already delayed implementation of the new Building Regulations to be put off until the new year, if a clash of new regulations is not going to create a bureaucratic burden for the whole joinery industry.

The BWF says it is concerned that Part L of the Building Regulations will be rushed through in July, at the same time as joinery manufacturing firms are dealing with the new Construction Products Regulation (CPR) and requirement for CE marking.

BWF chief executive Iain McIlwee said: “The delay has meant that our members are spending time and money getting detailed u-value calculations complete for all relevant joinery products in order to comply with the CPR. Revised Part L regulations could mean that all that work may need to be done again.

At the same time, he said, the organisation was hearing that there are still many details on Part L that need to be clarified.

He said: “This process is taking too long. Realistically implementation in 2013 is a non-starter if changes are being made. It makes far more sense to defer proposed changes until next year. Business needs clarity, certainty and time to prepare."

The organistion says it is currently dealing with unprecedented levels of calls to its technical help desk regarding the introduction of the CPR It has published guidance for members at http://www.bwf.org.uk/toolkit/ce-marking.