Glass & Glazing Trade Federation

Professional

Our Members operate to the highest standards. GGF colleagues will reflect those standards in everything they do.

Pro-active

We will actively engage in promoting the industry and will be seen as a trade federation that is solutions focused in terms of promoting standards, safety and consumer confidence.

Focus

We will work as one team to ensure that everything we do is focused on supporting our Members and the industry. We exist for our Members.

Integrity

GGF staff will uphold the highest standards of honesty and impartiality in order that all GGF Members are treated equally and so that consumers, Government and stakeholders have confidence in our actions.

Within the GGF are key subsidiaries, such as FENSA, which helps ensure that energy efficient windows and doors are installed to the appropriate Building Regulations in order to comply with planning rules. Other subsidiaries include BFRC (British Fenestration Ratings Council), responsible for developing Window Energy Ratings that allow anyone choosing new windows to choose the most efficient windows by their Energy Efficient Labels – familiar to anyone buying electrical appliances.

Technical

The GGF Technical Team can provide support to Members in the following areas:

Free Technical Advice

The GGF Technical Team are here to help Members with any questions they have. If we do not know the answer we usually know who to contact to help guide our Membership. We are just a phone call away.

Input into Technical Standards

This means we know what will be required in the future as well as influencing how standardisation should change. GGF Members are able to participate at GGF meetings to guide the way forward with standardisation.

Technical Library

The GGF hold a comprehensive technical library that contains British, European and International standards relevant to glass and fenestration products. Members can reference these documents via the Technical Department.

Technical consultation and expert witness

The GGF provide a consultancy service that can provide an independent report on an installation. This service is not free and has to be paid for. However, GGF Members receive a discount on the fees. Consultancy reports can be used for a variety of purposes including giving consumers confidence with their installation to confirming what should be rectified to make an installation fit for purpose. The service also provides expert witness evidence should complaints go to litigation.

Product testing and approval

The GGF can give specific advice on how a manufacturer can obtain appropriate approvals, for their products, to national, European and International standards. Through their contacts they can arrange all necessary testing.

Governmental influence

The GGF is working tirelessly to build up the necessary links and access to Government, the opposition parties and legislators. This allows for ‘Members’’ views to be carried through to the decision makers to ensure our Members are not disadvantaged.

In conjunction to our excellent links to UK Government we have set up a route to spread our ‘Members” messages into Brussels. The GGF is linked to various European organisations that provide access to MEPs and the Commission.

We are also linked into a European Monitoring organisation, the British Business Bureau with our CBI Membership.

Building Regulations

These are mandatory requirements that are set by national governments. We provide guidance to Members on what the requirements are, as well as working with the relevant Government Departments to update existing and develop future legislation.

1. Membership Applications

1. GGF Membership is open to applicants from any company, firm or sole trader provided they meet the criteria for Membership.
2. The criteria are detailed in Rules 4.1.3 to 4.1.7 below.
3. Applicants must be trading in a business which is related to one or several of the following:
   • Fenestration related home improvements
   • Solar PV or solar thermal
   • Glazing
   • The manufacture or use of flat glass, or other similar materials, whether for windows, doors, or similar applications, or for processed glass
   • The fabrication and/or installation of applied window film
4. Applicants must have been trading in the relevant fields of their business for at least three years. Applicants must provide their last two years audited or certified accounts to the GGF Group Chief Financial Officer.
5. Applicants must operate a substantial business in terms of financial resources and facilities. The facilities will include suitable business premises (which will be inspected) and applicants will employ adequate personnel for the efficient conduct and operation of their business.
6. Applicants must meet the Federation’s standards of technical and commercial practice as set out at the GGF Technical Hub on the GGF Website.
7. Applicants who sell directly to consumers must comply with the GGF Code of Practice which is made available to all Members to view and download on the Technical Hub via the GGF Website.

Technical support

• Access to the GGF Technical team
• Expert Technical help, advice and knowledge
• Advice on Building Regulations
• European representation on Technical committees
• Invitation to our Technical Groups and events
• Technical Consultation and Expert Witness Service
• Access to the GGF Glazing Manual and all GGF Data Sheets
• Advice on Technical Standards
• Advice on upcoming legislation
• Advice, guidance and templates for CE Marking

Consumer protection and advice

Use of the GGF consumer protection package to enhance your reputation with consumers including:

• GGF Consumer Code of Practice
• GGF Customer Charter
• GGF Conciliation Scheme for resolving disputes with customers

Marketing and branding

• Use of the GGF logo
• Listing on the GGF Membership Directory so consumers and companies can find your company profile on the GGF website
• GGF-branded van and window stickers
• For Members that sell direct to consumers, a listing on the GGF’s consumer website MyGlazing.com and the use of MyGlazing.com logos and branded materials
• Access to the GGF website Members Area including Media Hub and image library

Health and safety

• Guidance from the GGF’s Health and Safety Manager
• Be a part of the Health, Safety and Environmental Committee and share and gain knowledge from industry wide health and safety professionals
• Access to HSE Publications

Business support

• Banking products and services relevant to the glazing industry via Barclays
• Free employment law advice and free contractual advice
• Preferential rates from our employment law specialists
• Model terms and conditions of contract provided for use and adoption

Training

• Advice on training and how to access funding
• Discounts on selected training courses

GGF publications

• Free digital access to all GGF Technical publications, including the GGF Glazing Manual and GGF Data Sheets
• Member discounts on print orders of GGF publications via the GGF Shop
• Exclusive access to GGF Industry Guidance documents

Political representation

• The GGF employs a political lobbying company for effectiveness in this important area. Campaigns can be developed and progressed for specialist groups
• The GGF acts as an important single voice for Members to raise concerns with local and national Government and the media

Meetings and networking

• Opportunity to attend regular national Specialist Group meetings, Regional meetings and other GGF events around the UK
• Discuss vital industry issues and get first-hand information on all current developments within the GGF and the wider industry
• Provide input into technical standards
• A great way to network with other businesses in the same industry and in the same area

Latest news from the GGF and the industry

• Glassi: the GGF’s digital magazine for Members
• GGF Newswire: our Members enewsletter that brings the latest GGF and industry news direct to your inbox before it is sent to the trade media