Following the recent announcement of the government’s Green Homes Grant, and its facilitation through Trustmark, we need to advise you of important forthcoming changes to the conditions by which NFRC can deliver Trustmark registration and in turn provide a vehicle for contractors to participate in the Green Homes Grant Scheme.
In September 2020 Trustmark updated its framework operating requirements with its Scheme Providers such as NFRC. In order for us to meet these requirements, which relate primarily to compliance with conditions within ISO/IEC 17065:2012, NFRC is entering into a formal agreement with CompetentRoofer Limited to fulfil the delivery of Trustmark Scheme Requirements. The reason is quite straightforward as CompetentRoofer’s conditions of authorisation require compliance with ISO/IEC 17065:2012.
What does this mean for NFRC members registered with Trustmark?
Firstly, we need all members registered with Trustmark to carefully consider if they wish to remain in Trustmark as due to the new scheme requirements, we can longer automatically include Trustmark registration in the membership offer.
NFRC members who are also registered contractors of CompetentRoofer and wish to remain as registered Trustmark businesses need to confirm to our member services by emailing the NFRC Helpdesk by the 30th November 2020 at the latest. They should indicate that they wish to remain in Trustmark and, for GDPR purposes, are willing for their data to be shared between NFRC and CompetentRoofer.
NFRC will then confirm to the member that the NFRC will advise CompetentRoofer of its authority to fulfil its Trustmark audit obligations to the member. This will also have the added benefit to the member of a single audit covering both its NFRC membership and its CompetentRoofer registration.
What does this mean for NFRC members who are not registered with CompetentRoofer?
NFRC members who are not registered with CompetentRoofer and wish to remain as Trustmark registered businesses have the option to join the CompetentRoofer scheme. The benefits of a contractor being registered with a UKAS Accredited Competent Person Scheme (such as Competent Roofer) are increasingly evident with regard to not only self-certification of building control works and the requirements of PAS2030:2019 associated with the Green Homes Grant, but other market factors associated with pre-qualification for works. The CompetentRoofer team are on hand to answer any questions you might have regarding the benefits and suitability.
All new applications to NFRC membership who wish to be registered with Trustmark must be registered as CompetentRoofer contractors.
The annual price of Trustmark registration to the NFRC member through CompetentRoofer will be £65 (exc. VAT) effective 1st December 2020. This modest fee is due to the additional requirements in compliance within NFRC, but is more than offset to the member by having a single audit and the heightened status of Trustmark registration.
The cut-off point for notification to NFRC is the 30th November 2020. NFRC will advise Trustmark in December of those contractors who have opted in to remain as Trustmark registered businesses. The annual Trustmark registration fee will be invoiced to the opted contact.
What about the Green Homes Grant?
By taking the above steps, we are enabling our members to be ready to participate in the Green Homes Grant scheme and other workstreams associated with PAS 2030/2035 preconditions for work.
The CompetentRoofer team are working closely with UKAS on the re-establishment of our PAS2030 certification to meet the conditions of delivery as soon as possible, and our current understanding is subject to audit they will be able to launch the Scheme before Christmas, if not before. Due to the delays related to the provision of vouchers, we believe this timing will not severely impact the opportunity for our members to benefit from the Scheme. In addition, along with many other bodies, we are lobbying the government to extend the deadline for the use of the vouchers beyond Spring 2021.
We trust all members recognise the importance that the government is placing on independent certification related to their support for construction activities, particularly for domestic retrofit. The long-term targets set by the government to meet our net-zero carbon targets provide a great opportunity for NFRC members to have real confidence in investing in their futures.
What to do next if…
…you are a member of Trustmark and a CompetentRoofer contractor
If you wish to remain within Trustmark then please email the NFRC Helpdesk by the 30th November 2020 at the latest indicating you are happy for your data to be shared between NFRC and CompetentRoofer Limited.
…you are a member of Trustmark and not a CompetentRoofer contractor
If you wish to remain within Trustmark then you will now need to apply to become a CompetentRoofer contractor. You can find out more information about this on the CompetentRoofer website. You will no longer be able to be a member of Trustmark through NFRC.
…you are not a member of Trustmark or CompetentRoofer but would like to be
You will need to put an application in to join Competent Roofer. You can find out more information about how to do this on the CompetentRoofer website.