Construction product certification schemes - Revision history

Editor at 23:10, 11 December 2025

2025-12-11T23:10:41Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:10, 11 December 2025
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	[https://www.bbacerts.co.uk/about-us/about-the-bba/our-history/ https://www.bbacerts.co.uk/about-us/about-the-bba/our-history/]		[https://www.bbacerts.co.uk/about-us/about-the-bba/our-history/ https://www.bbacerts.co.uk/about-us/about-the-bba/our-history/]

−	~~[[Category:Articles_needing_more_work]]~~ [[Category:DCN_Commentary]] [[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Product_Knowledge]] [[Category:DCN_Specification]] [[Category:DCN_Standard]] [[Category:Research_/_Innovation]] [[Category:Standards_/_measurements]] [[Category:Sustainability]] [[Category:Procurement]] [[Category:Products_/_components]] [[Category:Building_safety]]	+	[[Category:DCN_Commentary]] [[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Product_Knowledge]] [[Category:DCN_Specification]] [[Category:DCN_Standard]] [[Category:Research_/_Innovation]] [[Category:Standards_/_measurements]] [[Category:Sustainability]] [[Category:Procurement]] [[Category:Products_/_components]] [[Category:Building_safety]]

Editor at 23:10, 11 December 2025

2025-12-11T23:10:24Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:10, 11 December 2025
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	Construction product certification schemes were introduced to provide greater clarity to designers, contractors, clients, and customers over that performance and to ensure that products meet minimum requirements for safety, strength, and durability. They also ensure that products marketed as surpassing minimum requirements, to provide higher quality, safety, or performance do so on the basis of evidence assessed by a third party and reported in a transparent manner.		Construction product certification schemes were introduced to provide greater clarity to designers, contractors, clients, and customers over that performance and to ensure that products meet minimum requirements for safety, strength, and durability. They also ensure that products marketed as surpassing minimum requirements, to provide higher quality, safety, or performance do so on the basis of evidence assessed by a third party and reported in a transparent manner.

−	The certification of construction products generally involves a rigorous process of testing, inspection and validation to guarantee compliance with national and international standards. They are an essential part of the construction industry and the market within which it operates; they help increase consumer confidence and can be part of contract law, specifications, insurance, assurance, and warranties.	+	The certification of construction products generally involves a rigorous process of testing, inspection and validation to guarantee compliance with national and international standards. They are an essential part of the construction industry and the market within which it operates; they help increase consumer confidence and can be part of contract law, specifications, insurance, assurance, and warranties. See also Competency codes, standards and frameworks for construction product manufacturers and Construction Products Regulation amendments GB in context.

	= When were the earliest certification schemes? =		= When were the earliest certification schemes? =
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	[https://www.bbacerts.co.uk/about-us/about-the-bba/our-history/ https://www.bbacerts.co.uk/about-us/about-the-bba/our-history/]		[https://www.bbacerts.co.uk/about-us/about-the-bba/our-history/ https://www.bbacerts.co.uk/about-us/about-the-bba/our-history/]

−	[[Category:Articles_needing_more_work]] [[Category:DCN_Commentary]] [[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Product_Knowledge]] [[Category:DCN_Specification]] [[Category:DCN_Standard]] [[Category:Research_/_Innovation~~]] [[Category:Building_safety~~]] [[Category:Standards_/_measurements]] [[Category:Sustainability]] [[Category:Procurement]] [[Category:Products_/_components]]	+	[[Category:Articles_needing_more_work]] [[Category:DCN_Commentary]] [[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Product_Knowledge]] [[Category:DCN_Specification]] [[Category:DCN_Standard]] [[Category:Research_/_Innovation]] [[Category:Standards_/_measurements]] [[Category:Sustainability]] [[Category:Procurement]] [[Category:Products_/_components]] [[Category:Building_safety]]

Editor at 07:16, 14 June 2024

2024-06-14T07:16:57Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:16, 14 June 2024
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	[https://www.bbacerts.co.uk/about-us/about-the-bba/our-history/ https://www.bbacerts.co.uk/about-us/about-the-bba/our-history/]		[https://www.bbacerts.co.uk/about-us/about-the-bba/our-history/ https://www.bbacerts.co.uk/about-us/about-the-bba/our-history/]

−	[[Category:Articles_needing_more_work]] [[Category:DCN_Commentary]] [[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Product_Knowledge]] [[Category:DCN_Specification]] [[Category:DCN_Standard]] [[Category:Research_/_Innovation]] [[Category:Standards_/_measurements]] [[Category:Sustainability]] [[Category:Procurement]] [[Category:Products_/_components]]	+	[[Category:Articles_needing_more_work]] [[Category:DCN_Commentary]] [[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Product_Knowledge]] [[Category:DCN_Specification]] [[Category:DCN_Standard]] [[Category:Research_/_Innovation]] [[Category:Building_safety]] [[Category:Standards_/_measurements]] [[Category:Sustainability]] [[Category:Procurement]] [[Category:Products_/_components]]

Editor at 07:15, 14 June 2024

2024-06-14T07:15:40Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:15, 14 June 2024
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	= Example certification companies =		= Example certification companies =

−	* The British Standards Institution (U.K.)	+	* The British Standards Institution (UK)
		+	* BRE (UK)
		+	* Intertek Group plc (U.K.)
	* SGS Société Générale de Surveillance SA.(Switzerland)		* SGS Société Générale de Surveillance SA.(Switzerland)
	* QVC Certification Services Pvt Ltd (India)		* QVC Certification Services Pvt Ltd (India)
	* Centexbel (Belgium)		* Centexbel (Belgium)
	* RINA S.p.A. (Italy)		* RINA S.p.A. (Italy)
−	* Intertek Group plc (U.K.)
	* CSA Group Testing & Certification Inc. (Canada)		* CSA Group Testing & Certification Inc. (Canada)
	* Det Norske Veritas group (Norway)		* Det Norske Veritas group (Norway)

Editor at 07:13, 14 June 2024

2024-06-14T07:13:52Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:13, 14 June 2024
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	* TÜV Rheinland (Germany)		* TÜV Rheinland (Germany)

−	= Example certification ~~companies and~~ schemes =	+	= Example certification schemes =

	* CE marking		* CE marking
	* UKCE		* UKCE
	* UKNI		* UKNI
		+	* BBA

	= Environmental product level certification schemes =		= Environmental product level certification schemes =

Editor at 06:49, 14 June 2024

2024-06-14T06:49:17Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:49, 14 June 2024
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	* Standards in the construction industry.		* Standards in the construction industry.
	* UKCA and CE marking; changes in detail.		* UKCA and CE marking; changes in detail.
		+
		+	= External links =
		+
		+	[https://www.bbacerts.co.uk/about-us/about-the-bba/our-history/ https://www.bbacerts.co.uk/about-us/about-the-bba/our-history/]

	[[Category:Articles_needing_more_work]] [[Category:DCN_Commentary]] [[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Product_Knowledge]] [[Category:DCN_Specification]] [[Category:DCN_Standard]] [[Category:Research_/_Innovation]] [[Category:Standards_/_measurements]] [[Category:Sustainability]] [[Category:Procurement]] [[Category:Products_/_components]]		[[Category:Articles_needing_more_work]] [[Category:DCN_Commentary]] [[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Product_Knowledge]] [[Category:DCN_Specification]] [[Category:DCN_Standard]] [[Category:Research_/_Innovation]] [[Category:Standards_/_measurements]] [[Category:Sustainability]] [[Category:Procurement]] [[Category:Products_/_components]]

Editor at 06:46, 14 June 2024

2024-06-14T06:46:34Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:46, 14 June 2024
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	Shortly after in 1946, the future of standardisation on an International scale was discussed by 65 delegates from 25 countries and one year later the International Organization for Standardization was formed. ISO as it came to be known, is derived from the Greek word “isos”, meaning equal and was a route to an acronym that could be internationally recognised across different languages. Initially ISO started with 67 technical committees or groups of experts focusing on specific subjects to develop an international standardisation process, with the first standard or ISO/R 1:1951 published as the Standard reference temperature for industrial length measurements. Today that standard is ISO 1:2022 Geometrical Product Specifications (GPS) - Standard reference temperature for geometrical product specification and exists alongside some 25,415 International Standards covering almost all aspects of technology, management and manufacturing.		Shortly after in 1946, the future of standardisation on an International scale was discussed by 65 delegates from 25 countries and one year later the International Organization for Standardization was formed. ISO as it came to be known, is derived from the Greek word “isos”, meaning equal and was a route to an acronym that could be internationally recognised across different languages. Initially ISO started with 67 technical committees or groups of experts focusing on specific subjects to develop an international standardisation process, with the first standard or ISO/R 1:1951 published as the Standard reference temperature for industrial length measurements. Today that standard is ISO 1:2022 Geometrical Product Specifications (GPS) - Standard reference temperature for geometrical product specification and exists alongside some 25,415 International Standards covering almost all aspects of technology, management and manufacturing.

−	[[File:~~ISO banner 1000~~.jpg]]	+	[[File:ISO_banner_1000.jpg\|link=File:ISO_banner_1000.jpg]]

	The 1950s and into the 1960s, was marked by a boom in consumer products, and the Kitemark became a route to ensuring, primarily, the safety of those products via quality assessment in the UK with increasing relevance for standards also between countries. Also in 1960, the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) was established by convention. This was an intergovernmental organisation established to promote free trade and economic integration between its founding members (Austria, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom) within Europe and globally. In 1966 the British Board of Agrément (BBA) was established by the UK Government, as an independent certification body in the Construction and Civil Engineering Industries. One year later three products had been certified, a later one hundred and fifty and by 2020 over six thousand, continuing to drive safety through services that help clients create accountability and mitigate risk.		The 1950s and into the 1960s, was marked by a boom in consumer products, and the Kitemark became a route to ensuring, primarily, the safety of those products via quality assessment in the UK with increasing relevance for standards also between countries. Also in 1960, the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) was established by convention. This was an intergovernmental organisation established to promote free trade and economic integration between its founding members (Austria, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom) within Europe and globally. In 1966 the British Board of Agrément (BBA) was established by the UK Government, as an independent certification body in the Construction and Civil Engineering Industries. One year later three products had been certified, a later one hundred and fifty and by 2020 over six thousand, continuing to drive safety through services that help clients create accountability and mitigate risk.
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	= Related articles on Designing Buildings =		= Related articles on Designing Buildings =

−	A chronology of sustainable building certification schemes	+	* A chronology of sustainable building certification schemes
−		+	* Agrément certificate.
−	Agrément certificate.	+	* BBA becomes an Approved Body for UKCA Marking.
−		+	* Brexit.
−	BBA becomes an Approved Body for UKCA Marking.	+	* Brexit standards, products and regulatory updates.
−		+	* Collaboration, standards and their acronyms explained.
−	Brexit.	+	* Construction Products Regulation CPR.
−		+	* Grenfell Tower Inquiry.
−	Brexit standards, products and regulatory updates.	+	* Kitemark.
−		+	* National regulator for construction products (NRCP) announcement re kingspan kooltherm K15.
−	Collaboration, standards and their acronyms explained.	+	* The Building Safety Bill and product testing.
−		+	* Third party accreditation.
−	Construction Products Regulation CPR.	+	* Third-party certification, what it means when you specify it.
−		+	* Standards in the construction industry.
−	Grenfell Tower Inquiry.	+	* UKCA and CE marking; changes in detail.
−		+
−	Kitemark.	+
−		+
−	National regulator for construction products (NRCP) announcement re kingspan kooltherm K15.	+
−		+
−	The Building Safety Bill and product testing.	+
−		+
−	Third party accreditation.	+
−		+
−	Third-party certification, what it means when you specify it.	+
−		+
−	Standards in the construction industry.	+
−		+
−	UKCA and CE marking; changes in detail.	+

	[[Category:Articles_needing_more_work]] [[Category:DCN_Commentary]] [[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Product_Knowledge]] [[Category:DCN_Specification]] [[Category:DCN_Standard]] [[Category:Research_/_Innovation]] [[Category:Standards_/_measurements]] [[Category:Sustainability]] [[Category:Procurement]] [[Category:Products_/_components]]		[[Category:Articles_needing_more_work]] [[Category:DCN_Commentary]] [[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Product_Knowledge]] [[Category:DCN_Specification]] [[Category:DCN_Standard]] [[Category:Research_/_Innovation]] [[Category:Standards_/_measurements]] [[Category:Sustainability]] [[Category:Procurement]] [[Category:Products_/_components]]

Editor at 06:46, 14 June 2024

2024-06-14T06:46:00Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:46, 14 June 2024
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	= When were the earliest certification schemes? =		= When were the earliest certification schemes? =

−	The certification of products has existed for over 120 years, with the first UK example being the kitemark, a symbol indicating that a product was certified to a certain British standard, with the first being registered in 1903. A now familiar symbol, it was made up of an uppercase B lying at the top of the symbol, which stands for British, with a V below indicating verification, enclosing an S at the centre, signifying the standard. The symbol was developed by what is now known as the British Standards Institute (BSI), which was first formed in 1901 and, by 1942, was recognised by the UK government as the only standards issuer.	+	The certification of products has existed for over 120 years, with the first UK example being the kitemark, a symbol indicating that a product was certified to a certain British standard, with the first being registered in 1903. A now familiar symbol, it was made up of an uppercase B lying at the top of the symbol, which stands for British, with a V below indicating verification, enclosing an S at the centre, signifying the standard. The symbol was developed by what is now known as the British Standards Institute (BSI), which was first formed in 1901 and, by 1942, was recognised by the UK government as the only standards issuer. The first products to receive the British kitemark as a trademark were tramway rails in 1903, then lighting prducts. The BSI Kitemark continues to be a mark of trust and confidence in products that demonstrate performance in certain areas over and above the minimum standards required by the regulations.

	[[File:Kitemark.jpg\|link=File:Kitemark.jpg]]		[[File:Kitemark.jpg\|link=File:Kitemark.jpg]]

−	~~The first products to receive the British kitemark as a trademark were tramway rails~~ in ~~1903~~. ~~The BSI Kitemark continues~~ to be ~~a mark of trust~~ and ~~confidence in products~~ that ~~demonstrate performance in certain areas over and above~~ the ~~minimum standards required by~~ the ~~regulations~~. ~~By the~~ 1950s and into the 1960s, ~~there~~ was a boom in consumer products, and the Kitemark became a route to ensuring, primarily, the safety of those products via quality assessment. Also in 1960, the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) was established by convention. This was an intergovernmental organisation established to promote free trade and economic integration between its founding members (Austria, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom) within Europe and globally. In 1966 the British Board of Agrément (BBA) was established by the UK Government, as an independent certification body in the Construction and Civil Engineering Industries. One year later three products had been certified, a later one hundred and fifty and by 2020 over six thousand, continuing to drive safety through services that help clients create accountability and mitigate risk.	+	Shortly after in 1946, the future of standardisation on an International scale was discussed by 65 delegates from 25 countries and one year later the International Organization for Standardization was formed. ISO as it came to be known, is derived from the Greek word “isos”, meaning equal and was a route to an acronym that could be internationally recognised across different languages. Initially ISO started with 67 technical committees or groups of experts focusing on specific subjects to develop an international standardisation process, with the first standard or ISO/R 1:1951 published as the Standard reference temperature for industrial length measurements. Today that standard is ISO 1:2022 Geometrical Product Specifications (GPS) - Standard reference temperature for geometrical product specification and exists alongside some 25,415 International Standards covering almost all aspects of technology, management and manufacturing.
		+
		+	[[File:ISO banner 1000.jpg]]
		+
		+	The 1950s and into the 1960s, was marked by a boom in consumer products, and the Kitemark became a route to ensuring, primarily, the safety of those products via quality assessment in the UK with increasing relevance for standards also between countries. Also in 1960, the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) was established by convention. This was an intergovernmental organisation established to promote free trade and economic integration between its founding members (Austria, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom) within Europe and globally. In 1966 the British Board of Agrément (BBA) was established by the UK Government, as an independent certification body in the Construction and Civil Engineering Industries. One year later three products had been certified, a later one hundred and fifty and by 2020 over six thousand, continuing to drive safety through services that help clients create accountability and mitigate risk.

	[[File:BBA_certifocate_example_1000.jpg\|link=File:BBA_certifocate_example_1000.jpg]]		[[File:BBA_certifocate_example_1000.jpg\|link=File:BBA_certifocate_example_1000.jpg]]

Editor at 06:27, 14 June 2024

2024-06-14T06:27:12Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:27, 14 June 2024
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	The first products to receive the British kitemark as a trademark were tramway rails in 1903. The BSI Kitemark continues to be a mark of trust and confidence in products that demonstrate performance in certain areas over and above the minimum standards required by the regulations. By the 1950s and into the 1960s, there was a boom in consumer products, and the Kitemark became a route to ensuring, primarily, the safety of those products via quality assessment. Also in 1960, the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) was established by convention. This was an intergovernmental organisation established to promote free trade and economic integration between its founding members (Austria, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom) within Europe and globally. In 1966 the British Board of Agrément (BBA) was established by the UK Government, as an independent certification body in the Construction and Civil Engineering Industries. One year later three products had been certified, a later one hundred and fifty and by 2020 over six thousand, continuing to drive safety through services that help clients create accountability and mitigate risk.		The first products to receive the British kitemark as a trademark were tramway rails in 1903. The BSI Kitemark continues to be a mark of trust and confidence in products that demonstrate performance in certain areas over and above the minimum standards required by the regulations. By the 1950s and into the 1960s, there was a boom in consumer products, and the Kitemark became a route to ensuring, primarily, the safety of those products via quality assessment. Also in 1960, the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) was established by convention. This was an intergovernmental organisation established to promote free trade and economic integration between its founding members (Austria, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom) within Europe and globally. In 1966 the British Board of Agrément (BBA) was established by the UK Government, as an independent certification body in the Construction and Civil Engineering Industries. One year later three products had been certified, a later one hundred and fifty and by 2020 over six thousand, continuing to drive safety through services that help clients create accountability and mitigate risk.

−	[[File:~~BBA certifocate example 1000~~.jpg]]	+	[[File:BBA_certifocate_example_1000.jpg\|link=File:BBA_certifocate_example_1000.jpg]]

	In the 1970s, quality management initiatives expanded and Kitemarks were key features of glazing units, fire equipment, and so on. This decade was also marked by increasing awareness of environmentalism and global climate issues, largely stemming from the first Earth Day, held on April 22, 1970. In 1978, what is considered the first environmental product labelling scheme, or eco-label, was established in Germany. Der Blaue Engel, or Blue Angel, environmental product labelling scheme continues today, and though not exclusively related to building products they were the first to be assessed directly in connection with the protection of the environment as well as health.		In the 1970s, quality management initiatives expanded and Kitemarks were key features of glazing units, fire equipment, and so on. This decade was also marked by increasing awareness of environmentalism and global climate issues, largely stemming from the first Earth Day, held on April 22, 1970. In 1978, what is considered the first environmental product labelling scheme, or eco-label, was established in Germany. Der Blaue Engel, or Blue Angel, environmental product labelling scheme continues today, and though not exclusively related to building products they were the first to be assessed directly in connection with the protection of the environment as well as health.
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	In the 1980s, closer market ties continued between countries in the European Economic Area (EEA). In 1985, the UK, as part of the European Free Trade Area (EFTA), launched the European community’s internal market, highlighting the need for consistency in trading-related standards. Less than 10 years later, in 1992, the numbers of the EFTA dropped significantly as many joined the European Union (EU). Part of this was the establishment of the CE (Conformité Européenne) marking, which, rather than a quality standard, became a minimum requirement standard and the first mandatory conformity marking for the regulation of goods sold within the European Economic Area (EEA).		In the 1980s, closer market ties continued between countries in the European Economic Area (EEA). In 1985, the UK, as part of the European Free Trade Area (EFTA), launched the European community’s internal market, highlighting the need for consistency in trading-related standards. Less than 10 years later, in 1992, the numbers of the EFTA dropped significantly as many joined the European Union (EU). Part of this was the establishment of the CE (Conformité Européenne) marking, which, rather than a quality standard, became a minimum requirement standard and the first mandatory conformity marking for the regulation of goods sold within the European Economic Area (EEA).

−	[[File:CE-~~UKCA 350~~.jpg]]	+	[[File:CE-UKCA_350.jpg\|link=File:CE-UKCA_350.jpg]]

	At the time the UK was part of the EU, CE (Conformité Européenne) markings, the minimum standard required for trade, were commonplace in the UK and were the norm until the UK left the European Union. Today, there is the gradual establishment and introduction of the new UKCE (UK Conformity Assessed) and UKNI (Northern Ireland Conformity Assessed) marks.		At the time the UK was part of the EU, CE (Conformité Européenne) markings, the minimum standard required for trade, were commonplace in the UK and were the norm until the UK left the European Union. Today, there is the gradual establishment and introduction of the new UKCE (UK Conformity Assessed) and UKNI (Northern Ireland Conformity Assessed) marks.
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	* SMaRT Consensus Sustainable Product Standards		* SMaRT Consensus Sustainable Product Standards
	* WaterSense		* WaterSense
		+
		+	= Related articles on Designing Buildings =
		+
		+	A chronology of sustainable building certification schemes
		+
		+	Agrément certificate.
		+
		+	BBA becomes an Approved Body for UKCA Marking.
		+
		+	Brexit.
		+
		+	Brexit standards, products and regulatory updates.
		+
		+	Collaboration, standards and their acronyms explained.
		+
		+	Construction Products Regulation CPR.
		+
		+	Grenfell Tower Inquiry.
		+
		+	Kitemark.
		+
		+	National regulator for construction products (NRCP) announcement re kingspan kooltherm K15.
		+
		+	The Building Safety Bill and product testing.
		+
		+	Third party accreditation.
		+
		+	Third-party certification, what it means when you specify it.
		+
		+	Standards in the construction industry.
		+
		+	UKCA and CE marking; changes in detail.

	[[Category:Articles_needing_more_work]] [[Category:DCN_Commentary]] [[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Product_Knowledge]] [[Category:DCN_Specification]] [[Category:DCN_Standard]] [[Category:Research_/_Innovation]] [[Category:Standards_/_measurements]] [[Category:Sustainability]] [[Category:Procurement]] [[Category:Products_/_components]]		[[Category:Articles_needing_more_work]] [[Category:DCN_Commentary]] [[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Product_Knowledge]] [[Category:DCN_Specification]] [[Category:DCN_Standard]] [[Category:Research_/_Innovation]] [[Category:Standards_/_measurements]] [[Category:Sustainability]] [[Category:Procurement]] [[Category:Products_/_components]]

Editor at 06:19, 14 June 2024

2024-06-14T06:19:51Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:19, 14 June 2024
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	The first products to receive the British kitemark as a trademark were tramway rails in 1903. The BSI Kitemark continues to be a mark of trust and confidence in products that demonstrate performance in certain areas over and above the minimum standards required by the regulations. By the 1950s and into the 1960s, there was a boom in consumer products, and the Kitemark became a route to ensuring, primarily, the safety of those products via quality assessment. Also in 1960, the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) was established by convention. This was an intergovernmental organisation established to promote free trade and economic integration between its founding members (Austria, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom) within Europe and globally. In 1966 the British Board of Agrément (BBA) was established by the UK Government, as an independent certification body in the Construction and Civil Engineering Industries. One year later three products had been certified, a later one hundred and fifty and by 2020 over six thousand, continuing to drive safety through services that help clients create accountability and mitigate risk.		The first products to receive the British kitemark as a trademark were tramway rails in 1903. The BSI Kitemark continues to be a mark of trust and confidence in products that demonstrate performance in certain areas over and above the minimum standards required by the regulations. By the 1950s and into the 1960s, there was a boom in consumer products, and the Kitemark became a route to ensuring, primarily, the safety of those products via quality assessment. Also in 1960, the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) was established by convention. This was an intergovernmental organisation established to promote free trade and economic integration between its founding members (Austria, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom) within Europe and globally. In 1966 the British Board of Agrément (BBA) was established by the UK Government, as an independent certification body in the Construction and Civil Engineering Industries. One year later three products had been certified, a later one hundred and fifty and by 2020 over six thousand, continuing to drive safety through services that help clients create accountability and mitigate risk.
		+
		+	[[File:BBA certifocate example 1000.jpg]]

	In the 1970s, quality management initiatives expanded and Kitemarks were key features of glazing units, fire equipment, and so on. This decade was also marked by increasing awareness of environmentalism and global climate issues, largely stemming from the first Earth Day, held on April 22, 1970. In 1978, what is considered the first environmental product labelling scheme, or eco-label, was established in Germany. Der Blaue Engel, or Blue Angel, environmental product labelling scheme continues today, and though not exclusively related to building products they were the first to be assessed directly in connection with the protection of the environment as well as health.		In the 1970s, quality management initiatives expanded and Kitemarks were key features of glazing units, fire equipment, and so on. This decade was also marked by increasing awareness of environmentalism and global climate issues, largely stemming from the first Earth Day, held on April 22, 1970. In 1978, what is considered the first environmental product labelling scheme, or eco-label, was established in Germany. Der Blaue Engel, or Blue Angel, environmental product labelling scheme continues today, and though not exclusively related to building products they were the first to be assessed directly in connection with the protection of the environment as well as health.

	In the 1980s, closer market ties continued between countries in the European Economic Area (EEA). In 1985, the UK, as part of the European Free Trade Area (EFTA), launched the European community’s internal market, highlighting the need for consistency in trading-related standards. Less than 10 years later, in 1992, the numbers of the EFTA dropped significantly as many joined the European Union (EU). Part of this was the establishment of the CE (Conformité Européenne) marking, which, rather than a quality standard, became a minimum requirement standard and the first mandatory conformity marking for the regulation of goods sold within the European Economic Area (EEA).		In the 1980s, closer market ties continued between countries in the European Economic Area (EEA). In 1985, the UK, as part of the European Free Trade Area (EFTA), launched the European community’s internal market, highlighting the need for consistency in trading-related standards. Less than 10 years later, in 1992, the numbers of the EFTA dropped significantly as many joined the European Union (EU). Part of this was the establishment of the CE (Conformité Européenne) marking, which, rather than a quality standard, became a minimum requirement standard and the first mandatory conformity marking for the regulation of goods sold within the European Economic Area (EEA).
		+
		+	[[File:CE-UKCA 350.jpg]]

	At the time the UK was part of the EU, CE (Conformité Européenne) markings, the minimum standard required for trade, were commonplace in the UK and were the norm until the UK left the European Union. Today, there is the gradual establishment and introduction of the new UKCE (UK Conformity Assessed) and UKNI (Northern Ireland Conformity Assessed) marks.		At the time the UK was part of the EU, CE (Conformité Européenne) markings, the minimum standard required for trade, were commonplace in the UK and were the norm until the UK left the European Union. Today, there is the gradual establishment and introduction of the new UKCE (UK Conformity Assessed) and UKNI (Northern Ireland Conformity Assessed) marks.