Affiliations

The BBA is the UK's major approval body for new construction products and installers. Our Agrément Certificates are recognised by specifiers and other industry decision-makers as proof that the products covered by them have been rigorously and impartially assessed, will allow compliance with Building Regulations to be achieved and will last for a defined period. The BBA also offers Quality Management Systems Certification to the ISO 9000 series and product testing to British, European or international standards, as well as trade and industry specifications.

The RIBA exists to advance architecture and promote excellence in the profession. It does this via an unrivalled programme of lectures, exhibitions and events; works in schools, community architecture projects and community architecture schemes. For its 30,000-strong membership in the UK and abroad, the RIBA provides specialist information and advice, practice promotion (via RIBA Enterprises), professional support, commercial products (via RIBA Enterprises) and many social and cultural events.

The British Laminate Fabricator’s Association offers an assured source of supply for fabricated components using high pressure decorative laminate. From washroom cubicles to wallpanelling, from worktops to bonded panels and from doors to retail counters, all products are supplied to the highest standards of laminate fabrication as stated in BS4965, the British Standard for veneered boards and panels. The BLFA has been established for more than forty years and is the only recognised trade association representing the laminate industry in the UK promoting best working practise among manufacturers, specifiers and fabricators. Membership is nationwide with all members conforming to an industry recognised Code of Practice.

For 60 years, FIRA has developed many of the test methods that form the basis of furniture standards worldwide. Today FIRA offer not only furniture testing, but a host of other services to the furniture industry.
These include Consultancy, research and expert witness services (for example, helping companies achieve environmental management standards such as ISO 14001 or to to become members of FISP - Furniture Industry Sustainability Programme). The FIRA Certification Scheme and Awards (including the coveted FIRA Gold Award; the Certification Scheme for School Furniture (to encourage improvement in the quality of furniture used in education); and the Furniture Footprinter (a comprehensive online carbon footprint measurement tool developed specifically for the furniture industry). FIRA also offers services such as furniture testing, training and events.

ISO 9001 is the internationally recognised standard for the quality management of businesses. It applies to the processes that create and control the products and services an organisation supplies. It prescribes systematic control of activities to ensure that the needs and expectations of customers are met. It is designed and intended to apply to virtually any product or service, made by any process anywhere in the world.