NBS and CPI Partner to Elevate UK Construction Product Standards
In a landmark move aimed at reshaping the landscape of the UK construction industry, NBS and CPI Ltd have announced a partnership that promises to improve the quality and reliability of product information across the sector.
The collaboration signals a critical step forward in a collective push to standardise construction data and ensure clarity, transparency, and trust in the information architects, specifiers, and designers rely on daily.
NBS, a global leader in specification and construction product platforms, is teaming up with CPI, the not-for-profit organisation behind the Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI). Together, they aim to revolutionise how product information is presented, ensuring it’s clear, accurate, and up-to-date. Let’s take a closer look at how this partnership will change the game and the broader implications for the UK’s construction industry.
Improving Product Information
The construction industry has long faced issues with unclear or inaccurate product information. With safety and efficiency on the line, having reliable data is non-negotiable. This is where NBS and CPI come in. Both organisations have made it their mission to drive culture change in the construction sector by ensuring product information is consistent, accessible, and accurate.
Through this partnership, NBS will integrate CPI’s standards into its platform, allowing users to filter and select products that meet the rigorous CCPI assessment. This means architects and designers can be confident they’re specifying materials that not only meet high standards but have undergone independent verification.
NBS Innovation Director, Dr Stephen Hamil, emphasised the importance of clear data, stating: “At NBS, we’re committed to leveraging the power of connected data to enhance the quality and safety of the construction industry. This partnership with CPI ensures that product data remains trustworthy and reliable, empowering specifiers to make confident design decisions.”
What is the CCPI?
The Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI) is a critical framework designed to raise standards in construction product marketing and information. Its aim? To move the sector towards transparent, accurate, and unambiguous communication of product details. But this isn’t just about ticking boxes—it’s about driving a deeper culture change across the industry.
The CCPI’s rigorous assessment process includes an ongoing commitment to improvement. By assessing leadership, culture, and ongoing registration obligations, CPI ensures that manufacturers providing product information are held to the highest standards. According to Amanda Long, Chief Executive of CPI: “Improving standards across the construction industry is a collaborative effort. Our partnership with NBS will allow us to engage the entire sector, providing specifiers with greater confidence in the products they use and reducing risk throughout the supply chain.”
A Seamless Integration with NBS
One of the most exciting developments in this partnership is how CPI’s standards will be integrated into NBS’s cloud-based specification platform. NBS Source, which is used by architects and designers across the globe, will now feature a filtering option allowing users to select only products and systems that have been assessed and registered with the CCPI.
This new functionality makes it easier for specifiers to identify compliant products, streamlining the specification process and reducing the risk of error. The result is a more efficient, safe, and reliable approach to building design, benefitting everyone from the end-users to the building occupants.
Notably, NBS has created a dedicated section within its platform for showcasing systems and products that have achieved CCPI registration. This not only highlights the products meeting the highest standards but also serves as a model for other manufacturers to follow.
Building Trust Across the Supply Chain
For manufacturers, achieving CCPI registration is more than just a badge of honour—it’s a mark of trust. With third-party assessment, companies can demonstrate their commitment to providing clear, accurate, and up-to-date product information. This, in turn, helps specifiers and end-users make informed choices and reduces potential risks in the construction process.
Nigel Blacklock, Technical Director at Bauder, a manufacturer that has earned the CCPI Assessed Mark for its flat roof waterproofing systems, explained how the assessment process has boosted confidence in their product information. “Specifiers increasingly demand third-party verification of the marketing and product details. The CCPI mark, especially when integrated into the digital format of NBS Source, makes it easier for them to trust and select our systems,” he said.
The benefits of this partnership extend across the supply chain. Specifiers, contractors, and manufacturers can all trust that the information they’re working with is accurate, reducing risks and uncertainties throughout the project lifecycle.
Leading the Way in Digital Construction
At the heart of this partnership is a shared vision for the future of digital construction. Both NBS and CPI are at the forefront of using connected data to create a safer, more efficient industry. As the construction sector continues its digital transformation, having access to reliable, third-party assessed data will be increasingly critical.
For NBS, this partnership is a continuation of its efforts to drive innovation through cloud-based technologies and connected data. NBS has always been committed to helping the construction industry build better, safer, and with less risk, and this partnership with CPI is another step in that direction.
A New Standard for the Industry
What does this mean for the construction sector as a whole? With more organisations following the lead of NBS and CPI, we can expect a new standard for how product information is delivered, accessed, and used. The days of unclear, outdated, or inaccurate data could soon be behind us.
Through their combined efforts, NBS and CPI are laying the groundwork for a future where product information is as transparent as possible. And as more companies get on board, the potential for industry-wide transformation is enormous.
A Bright Future for UK Construction
The partnership between NBS and CPI is set to be a game-changer for the UK construction industry. By raising the bar for product information, the two organisations are creating a more trustworthy and efficient construction ecosystem. With a focus on collaboration, innovation, and digital transformation, the future looks bright for the sector.
As the industry continues to evolve, partnerships like this will play a key role in ensuring that safety, efficiency, and quality remain top priorities. Together, NBS and CPI are driving the culture change that’s so urgently needed—and the impact of this collaboration will be felt for years to come.
