Spec Finish

6 www.thefis.org Delay to abolishing CE Marking, but flip flopping on the test and assessments creates more uncertainty New in-depth report puts procurement practices in the finishes and interiors sector under the spotlight NEWS The University of Reading, Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS), and Barbour ABI have recently launched a new report Current Approaches to Procurement in the Finishes, Fit-Out and Interiors Sector, aiming to better understand how procurement practices are affecting the £10 billion fit-out industry and most importantly, how they can be improved. FIS last year raised concerns that the push for modern methods of construction was being undermined by lack of focus on modern methods of procurement. To better understand the evolution of procurement practices, the organisation commissioned Professor Stuart Green of the University of Reading to explore procurement practices in the UK fit-out sector. FIS has a close working relationship with Barbour ABI, who were also keen to explore this topic and support this work and were able to offer assistance in developing the survey and extending the reach for participation. This result is a fascinating new report that benchmarks current practices from those contractors directly involved and explores how procurement impacts effective delivery. Through better understanding of the challenges facing the industry, the sector can deliver better value and improve supply chain relationships. The nature of the procurement process is often identified as a barrier to change. Dame Judith Hackitt’s statement from the 2018 ‘Building a Safer Future’ Report, confirmed that ‘Improving the procurement process will play a large part in setting the tone for any construction project. This is where the drive for quality and good outcomes, rather than lowest costs must start.’ This new report furnishes the ongoing debate with concrete data and provides a voice to those who work in the fit-out sector. It is based on a questionnaire conducted online during July and August 2022 that returned 269 responses with 100% quality rating results and then supplemented with 20 in-depth interviews with selected practitioners representing contractors operating at all tiers of the supply chain. The research raised serious questions about time allocation in procurement and tendering processes, and worryingly how risks are routinely pushed down the supply chain. Professor Stuart Green, School of Construction Management and Engineering at University of Reading University said: “I have been hugely impressed with the leading-edge firms in the fit-out and interiors sector. They are crucially focused on delivering high-quality work to demanding deadlines. Such firms act as exemplars for collaborative working at its very best. “But many firms within the sector don’t get the chance to work collaboratively. This is especially true of the smaller firms who act as subcontractors. Procurement practices are too often focused on low-cost tendering with little consideration of other factors. Subcontractors are further obliged to accept highly onerous conditions of contract which undermine trust from the outset. The smaller firms are frequently pressurised to reduce their tender price retrospectively and to offer discounts in return for prompt payment. It seems that old-fashioned subbie bashing is alive and well in the fit-out sector. This cannot be the basis upon which to sustain a modern industry.” To read more about this report and the views of Professor Stuart Green, School of Construction Management and Engineering at University of Reading University, Laura Pardoe, Director at AMA Research and FIS Chief Executive Iain Mcllwee visit: www.thefis.org/2023/02/27/procurement-research We are pleased to announce that the full research on the Current Approaches to Procurement in the Finishes, Fit-Out and Interiors Sector report will be released at the FIS Conference on 27 Feb at the Workspace Design Show. For further information about the FIS Conference visit: www.thefis.org/project/fis-conference-2023/ In a recent revised announcement, UK Government confirmed that the deadline for ending recognition of the CE mark has been extended to 30 June 2025. This was welcome news ahead of the New Year, albeit at the 11th hour as it alleviated any concerns around immediate availability of product. Guidance published in the New Year to clarify the position indicates a reversal of policy on recognition of EU test and assessments at ACVP 3 level and may open the floodgates to re-testing of the existing product being imported. The guidance offers an amnesty that there will be no enforcement on anyone who has or is in the process of making the transition to UKCA marking using EU Test data. Commenting on the changes, FIS Iain McIlwee stated: “It feels like three steps forward and two back. This reversal of policy around recognition creates more uncertainty and an unusual situation where Government has written legislation, aspects of which it does not intend to enforce (at this stage), however, it leaves us with more questions than answers and we have simply kicked the can down the road. We can only hope that this is part of a wider strategy and the negotiations ongoing have re-opened the door to mutual recognition which is what we have been calling for from the outset”. To read the full guidance from the government visit: https://tinyurl.com/2rx2b364 To help with planning, FIS has updated its Conformity Marking – How-to guidance note. To download this guide visit: https://tinyurl.com/45dsavyj