VIEWPOINT
along the way, are key priorities in the sector at present. There are many examples
where we’ve seen specific innovations which were qualifying expenditure for R&D tax credits. Typically these come from hauliers, distributors, retailers with their own distribution hubs, manufacturing and packaging facilities, FMCG (fast moving consumer goods) distributors and car and van hire companies.
Merchants should seek specialist advice on R&D tax credits in the first instance. Our priority is to get you the maximum benefit you deserve for innovating. Initially we will assess the financial viability to make sure it’s worth making a claim, by reviewing your management accounts and tax computations. We don’t want to waste your time so we’ll give you realistic feedback from day one.
If there is a good chance of making a claim, we then arrange a meeting with each relevant department or site. This is when our specialists find out exactly what is qualifying R&D. We never ask the question ‘Tell me about your R&D?’ but instead have a detailed conversation to understand your whole business and the projects you are undertaking. When you meet our specialist, it will feel
KEEP IT SIMPLE AND CERTIFIED
Kelvin Hughes of architectural ironmongery company SPARKA on certification and testing.
Alongside these certifications, businesses are then required to issue a Declaration of Performance (DOP) certification, a key part of the Construction Products Regulation, which provides information on the performance of a product, helping increase transparency in the single market.
THOSE IN the fire door hardware industry will know there can be no compromises when it comes to safety. After all, these products will be used for saving lives. That’s why adhering to minimum requirements won’t cut it: going above and beyond them is the best way to ensure the confidence of end users.
UKCA is the new UK product marking that will be required for certain products being placed on the market in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland). It covers most products that previously required the CE mark. However, as it will not be recognized in the EU market, the products to be sold in European Union countries that require CE marking will still do so. An independent third body will certify these markings and issue the CE or UKCA marking.
Certifire and IFC But beyond minimum
requirements, there are various third-party certifications that businesses can use to provide audits of their processes. For example, we have been certified by two third parties: Certifire and IFC. Both of these bodies audit our manufacturing process, to ensure we are trustworthy and carry through legitimate and consistent production.
Certifire assures performance, quality, reliability and traceability of products and systems. The brand is recognized by regulatory authorities worldwide as an international mark of fire safety across a diverse range of products including hardware. It is suitable for manufacturers of fire protection products and systems, as it offers the opportunity
May 2021
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net
to differentiate products and processes from non-certified equivalents, thus helping to access markets worldwide. IFC is a UKAS-accredited and internationally recognised provider of customer-focused independent certification, and is also a Notified Certification Body for certificating products for CE Marking under the Construction Products Directive.
These certifications also provide information on the exact types of fire doors products can be used on, such as either 30 minute doors or 60 minute doors, plus the types of material like wood, steel or composite doors. This is invaluable information for builders’ merchants and end users alike.
Tried and tested Alongside extensive testing and certification, customers will want to know if the products they are purchasing have been tested thoroughly and effectively, in order to be reassured of their safety. Some of the tests commonly used on door handles, latches, hinges, and locks, include: using corrosive salt sprays, putting the product into a furnace, and putting the products onto test rigs,
like you’re talking to a colleague rather than your advisor. There are far more activities that qualify as R&D than people would think – it doesn’t always have to be groundbreaking or particularly significant. Even time spent looking into why a job was less efficient than expected, making changes to existing IT or seeking ways to save money (whether successfully or not) could be qualifying R&D activity. BMJ
sometimes up to 200,000 cycles. It’s easy for businesses to say they are doing the right thing: but by following through with both the necessary processes and going above and beyond, builders’ merchants can sell and users can buy with peace of mind. Lastly, when it comes to displaying certification, we have found that clearly marking up products, as well as the website, brochures or anywhere else with identifiable product information simplifies the decision-making process for end users, meaning they are more comfortable buying from the
business.BMJ
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