Ibstock welcome Brickmakers Quality Charter

Brick Development Association launches new quality mark promoting responsible sourcing of clay bricks

IBSTOCK plc have welcomed the announcement of a new quality mark from the Brick Development Association (BDA). The Brickmakers Quality Charter has been launched to promote the responsible sourcing of clay bricks, providing the whole UK construction supply chain with complete assurance that the highest standards have been adhered to during the manufacturing process.

Registration to the Brickmakers Quality Charter is open to any clay brick manufacturer, with applicants having to demonstrate compliance with and adherence to a range of eight internationally recognized critical assessment points (CAPs), including Responsible Sourcing Systems (BES 6001), Health & Safety Management Systems (ISO 45001) and modern anti-slavery policy and procedures (in line with existing national standards).

Clay brick manufacturers who achieve the required standards will be awarded one, two or three-star recognition – a gradient system based on how many CAPs they are compliant with.

Joe Hudson, chief executive officer of Ibstock plc, said: ‘The launch of the Brickmakers Quality Charter is an important step forward for the construction industry supply chain, providing a vital signifier for responsible clay brick manufacturing, not just in terms of quality, but ethical standards too.

‘In recent years there has been an increase in the volume of bricks imported into the UK from the global market, sometimes with little information available as to their origin, technical performance or how they have been manufactured.

‘The Brickmakers Quality Charter provides the industry with peace of mind, providing a recognizable stamp of assurance that will ensure the UK construction supply chain can continue using bricks with full confidence that they’ll deliver the high quality and performance expected.’