GGF warns about a period of unprecedented regulatory change

Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) President, Mike Butterick, has issued a clear warning to the glass and glazing sector on the business-critical impact of regulation and the need to adapt fast to an era of unprecedented change.

Speaking at the GGF’s Industry Connect event, held at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Mike warned that the regulatory framework was now “more complicated and challenging than it has ever been before”, and that the sector must treat compliance and engagement with policymakers as core strategic priorities, not a back-office task.

He said the publication of the Future Homes Standard [still imminent] was just the tip of the iceberg, with even bigger changes for the sector coming down the line with an expected revision of Document Q.

“You need to be aware that there is a conversation ongoing that will potentially update and extend Document Q away from just new build housing in England and apply it to accessible replacement windows and doors”, he told attendees.

“Now that’s big. It’s actually got the potential to have a bigger impact on what we do as an industry than the Future Homes Standard. . .

“Whatever the granular detail that lands in these regulations, our products are part of the solution.”

‘Effective engagement more important than ever’

Speaking in front of an audience of 250 GGF and FENSA Members, Mike said that effective engagement with government was more important than ever, highlighting the work of the GGF Consultation Response Group, a cross-industry forum which coordinates responses to government consultations on behalf of the industry.

“We have organised ourselves far more effectively to have a voice for our industry than we have ever done before.

“In that group we have a collective strength and expertise that does not exist anywhere else in our industry. Government recognises our expertise and our leadership, and it means that we can get access to the conversations that are so important in terms of making that influence,” he explained.

He underlined that rising regulatory expectations come with serious consequences for those who fail to meet them. Citing a recent Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) report, which he noted it revealed a “deep structural compliance issue” in the sector.

Not a tick box exercise

“Compliance is not a tick box exercise any more”, he said, “it is far more important than that, because it is the difference between leadership and liability, it is the difference between quality and risk. The OPSS has the power to stop businesses if they are not compliant. That is disruption none of us need, particularly now,” he warned.

Mike advocated for better point of sale conversations with the end consumer to support them in selecting products which made homes, warmer, more comfortable, secure and to help prevent overheating.

He also highlighted the importance of sustainability and product circularity, including as an opportunity to attract new talent to the sector, by demonstrating real environmental impact.

“When you look at our industry through that lens, we are helping to deliver the net zero plan and the energy independence plan that the country has. We can be proud that we are part of that solution.

“As we replace the 80 million windows and doors in the housing stock that do not comply with current regulations, we have to focus on the quality and the performance of those products, and position the value and benefits like never before,” he said.

Time to drive standards

This built on a theme first raised by newly appointed GGF Director, Lauren Mawford, who framed the day around the theme of change and the need to drive up standards across the supply chain.

“When we work together effectively, we do not just respond to change, we shape it”, she said. “The future of this industry is not something that happens to us, it is something that we all build together.”

In addition to networking and an after-party, the day included a discussion around how AI was shaping the industry; and a talk from headline speaker, boxing legend Frank Bruno, on his career and struggles with mental health.

Lauren explained that the new Industry Connect format itself had been deliberately reimagined to reflect this drive for higher standards and modernisation.

“We decided this year we were going to step outside of the traditional format and take a big leap. We wanted to modernise this event and reshape it into something more dynamic, more engaging and more of a celebration of our industry,” she concluded.

For information about how the GGF can support your business visit www.ggf.org.uk