p47 BKU-AUG21 TTA - UWL_bku 03/08/2021 11:02 Page 47
INDUSTRY UPDATE THE TILE ASSOCIATION COLUMN
UWLA welcomes government commitment to reduce water waste
U
TTA continues to support its members in challenging times
T
TA is continuing to support its members in these challenging times – and this support remains one of the
best reasons for being a member. The range of issues on which TTA is required to provide support has probably never been greater, ranging from Covid-related guidance to Brexit and materials shortages. Recently TTA has been working with others through the Construction
Leadership Council to try and solve problems caused within businesses of workers having to self-isolate as a result of being ‘pinged’. On Brexit TTA is providing assistance with the trade rules which now
apply to companies who bring foreign-made tiles into the UK. There is a Briefing Document in the Members’ Area of the TTA website, which aims to tackle the lack of clarity which still exists in this area. Under the new rules, such distributors are now considered to be importers.
Some of the key points to be aware of are as follows: • Products placed on the GB market from 1st January 2022 need to have the UKCA marking affixed. This can be carried on a label or packaging.
• CE-marked product can continue to be placed on the UK market until the end of 2021. Unsold CE-marked products, which have been placed on the market before the end of the year, can continue to be sold after that date.
• The Briefing Document contains a link to the full Government guidance as it relates to construction products.
TTA has also been active on the issue of materials shortages, the main
impact of which is on manufacturers, who are having to pass on price increases, which in turn will inflate retail and trade prices. Although hopefully temporary, this situation is expected to remain until at least Q4 of this year. The escalating prices are on top of the shortages being seen across the
whole construction industry – from paint to timber to cement and polymers. TTA members are saying these are the worst shortages seen in 30 years. TTA is being proactive in canvassing its members on how they are being affected, flagging up future supply chain problems and lobbying for support.
u For further information or to join TTA visit
www.tiles.org.uk/join
WLA MD Yvonne Orgill explains why the government’s commitment to reducing water waste with a mandatory
water label is an opportunity for everyone in the bathroom industry. The Government published a Ministerial
Statement on 01 July by secretary of state George Eustice, outlining measures to take forward supporting water-efficient homes, as part of its 25-year Environment Plan to achieve clean and plentiful water. Among the raft of measures announced is a
commitment to introduce a mandatory water efficiency label to inform consumers and encourage the purchase of more water-efficient products for both domestic and business use. This is good news for all those involved in manufacturing, selling, and
installing bathroom products, as well as the environment, as the Unified Water Label is already established in the KBB market place, offering installers the opportunity to advise consumers on performance aspects, compatibility issues and helping consumers make the right choices for their water systems and lifestyle The Unified Water Label is tried and tested in the market place. robust and meets all the demands of the environmental bill.
It is It has been
developed by the industry, and is used extensively to identify water use of bathroom products.
the water calculator and since its development over 10 years ago over 150,000 projects have been calculated. With the support of the industry we can continue to work collectively
towards a common goal, and with government support we can make the Unified Water Label the mandatory solution that works for the industry and the consumer. It is important that the industry gets behind the Unified Water Label over
the coming months to demonstrate the strength and success of our own label. Should the government choose to develop its own label, this could come with minimum standards, which would bring significant challenges. Introducing minimum standards would limit consumer choice and we
are likely to see complexities arising from different water pressures and drainage issues, which will in turn lead to consumer dissatisfaction, resulting in many potentially loss making call outs for installers and plumbers. The Unified Water Label does not just provide information on water
efficiency but associated energy use, something that the government also wishes to address. The UWLA has welcomed this statement and the importance that the
government is now placing on the sustainability message. We hope that the industry will continue to work with us, taking up the
challenge to influence and educate consumers on the options available, and promote products that are UWL registered. To find out more and how to become involved by supporting the
Unified Water Label visit the website.
uwww.uwla.eu
BKU AUGUST 2021 47 In the first half of 2021, over 28,000 visitors have used
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