Clearview National August 2017 - Issue 189 | Page 14

PROUD SPONSOR OF INDUSTRY NEWS INDUSTRYNEWS GGF REINFORCES ITS APPROVED CONSUMER CODE TO BBC LISTENERS » » THE GGF ISSUED A statement to BBC Radio Surrey following a request for comment on the recent conviction of Zenith Staybrite, a large regional double glazing company who were found guilty of using illegal high-pressure sales tactics and falsely claiming offers were time limited. The company was ordered to pay fines and costs of £330,000. In the statement the GGF stated: “Though Zenith Staybrite are not GGF Members, it was very disappointing for the glazing industry in general to hear that this company has been practising such illegal high-pressure sales methods. No doubt they will be urgently reviewing their sales and pricing policies as a result, if they have not already done so. This conviction underlines the importance of the GGF’s Consumer Code of Practice which was approved last year by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute. It is the only approved Code in the glass and glazing industry and all consumer facing GGF Members have to adhere to it. The GGF Consumer Code of Practice can be viewed and downloaded free of charge from the GGF’s consumer website, www.myglazing.com. This award winning website was created last year to provide first class information and advice to consumers on making the right decisions when considering replacing their windows and doors and how to go about it. In complying with the GGF Consumer Code of Practice, Member companies must not engage in any high pressure selling techniques. The Code includes clear rules that Members must not state inflated prices for goods and services above those of the company’s price list, or offer discounts or “special one day offer prices” which are not true. Only genuine discounts agreed by the company must be applied. Whilst there are many reputable installers in the glazing industry, the GGF recommends that consumers use a GGF Member company for complete peace of mind. There is a search facility by postcode on www. myglazing.com. We would also recommend that consumers obtain at least three quotes before deciding on their choice of supplier, ensuring that, as given by all GGF Members, their chosen supplier gives a minimum seven days from date of contract in which the consumer can cancel without penalty should they change their mind after ordering.” Brian Smith, GGF Director of Home Improvement and Membership commented, “At every opportunity the GGF will be highlighting why homeowners should refer to our Consumer Code and why they should use GGF Members to ensure they are safeguarded against malpractice and illegal operations.” The GGF Consumer Code of Practice is available for free download on www.myglazing. com or www.ggf.org.uk UK Government urged to end health and safety deregulation following Grenfell Tower blaze » » THE UK GOVERNMENT has been urged to scrap its approach to deregulation of health and safety legislation in the light of the Grenfell Tower blaze. In an open letter to Prime Minister Theresa May, over 70 leading organisations and figures from the UK’s safety and health profession have jointly called for a political sea change in attitude towards health and safety regulation and fire risk management following the tragedy. The collective has also pressed the Government to complete its review of Part B of the Building Regulations 2010 – the regulations which cover fire safety within and around buildings in England – as a matter of urgency, and to include a focus on improved safety in the forthcoming Parliament. The letter is signed by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), Park Health & Safety, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) and the British Safety Council. The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH), Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA), International Institute of Risk & Safety Management (IIRSM), National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH), Trades Union Congress (TUC) and Unite the union have also given it their backing, alongside senior health and safety professionals. “We believe it is totally unacceptable for residents, members of the public and our emergency services to be exposed to this level of preventable risk in modern-day 14 » AUG 2017 » CL EARVI E W- UK . C O M Britain,” the letter states. “At this crucial time of national reflection and sorrow, we urge all politicians to re-emphasise the need for effective health and safety regulation and competent fire risk management. These are fundamental to saving lives and sustaining our communities. “We believe it is vital that this disaster marks a turning point for improved fire safety awareness and wider appreciation that good health and safety is an investment, not a cost.” In calling on the UK Government to complete its review of Part B of The Building Regulations 2010, the signatories add: “Together, we offer our organisations’ support in undertaking the review – we all have valuable links to experts in this area who can advise on best regulatory outcomes. In the meantime, we welcome the Government’s commitment to act and to implement the interim findings of the forthcoming public inquiry. “You have it in your power to remove immediately a further risk to people at work and outside of the workplace – unwise deregulation – which threatens public and worker safety. “We, leaders in health and safety in the UK, call on you to scrap the Government’s approach to health and safety deregulation and think again.”