Third Party Certification &
The Q-Mark Scheme
What is third party certification?
• Independent process of certifying that a
manufacturer continues to comply with
the performance aspects of a
specification for a product / product
range
• For certain products, a mandatory
requirement for the Police initiative
‘Secured by Design’ (SBD)
The benefits of specifying third
party certification
• Provides confidence in the manufacturer of a
performance critical product
• Provides confidence that the quality of the
product will be consistent at all times
• Provides confidence that the product will be fit
for purpose and will perform to the required
standard
• Reduces the risk of product failure
• Enables your clients to make a commercially
sound investment in performance critical
products
BM TRADA Q-MARK Third Party
Certification
• Operated by BM TRADA Certification one of the
UK’s foremost certification bodies with over 35
years experience
• BM TRADA Certification has been UKAS
accredited since 1991
• Backed by the Timber Research and
Development Association (TRADA) with over 75
years experience
• A recognised and widely accepted quality
standard both in the UK and globally
• Only 3 manufacturers currently carry Q-Mark
certification in Joinery (2 in UK)
BM TRADA Q-MARK High Performance
Timber Window Scheme
• Enables specifiers to select high quality, high
performance timber windows
• Offers performance levels in excess of that
achievable by the majority of windows (of any
material)
• Offers extended life span and ‘best value’
through reduced life time costs
• The scheme demands the highest standards
in relation to:
• Design
• Performance
• Manufacture
Timber Window certification process
Design Appraisal
Initial type test
Documented Specifications & Installation instructions
Factory Production Control Requirements
Initial Audit Visit
Periodic
Periodic
Audit Tests
Audit Visits
Marking of Certified Product
Q-MARK Certification process Step 1. Design appraisal
• A rigorous design appraisal carried out by
TRADA
• Verifies that the window is designed for
longevity
• Covers design issues including:
–
–
–
–
–
–
Water drainage and absence of water traps
Preservation
End grain protection
Protection of the sealed unit
Adhesives
Finish (appropriateness, application process,
window design suitability)
Q-MARK Certification process Step 2. Initial Type Testing
• Sample testing of a window’s key
performance attributes including:
– BS 644 ‘General performance’
– BS 6375 -1 – ‘weather’ (highest category
required)
– BS 6375 – 2 - Operation, Strength and
Durability
– BS EN ISO 10077-1 Thermal performance
– Cycling to 50,000 operations
Q-MARK Certification process Step 3. Documented Specifications
– Documented product specification to be in
place for each window type
– A set of documented installation instructions
for each window type will need to be
produced
Q-MARK Certification process Step 4. Factory Production Control
• To ensure consistency of production
manufacturers must produce a
documented Quality Management System
• This needs to integrate with an approved
Quality Management Scheme such as ISO
9001
Q-MARK Certification process Step 5. Initial Factory Audit
• Factory audits are conducted by specialist BM
TRADA auditors
• Auditors review the following:
– Factory production control process (manufactured
product consistently matches design specification)
– Traceability
– Glass & glazing – 3rd party certification of sealed units
to EN 1279
– Timber selection to BS EN 942
– Coatings adherence
– Workmanship to BS 1186 part 2
– Installation instructions
Q-MARK Certification process Step 6. Product marking / on-going audits
• Successful completion of the certification
process is signified by:
– Marking of the certified product with BM
TRADA Q-Mark labels
– Issuing of BM TRADA Q-Mark certificate
• On-going compliance with scheme
requirements is ensured via:
– Annual factory audits
– Periodic sample testing
Q-MARK Certification process Certificates
Registration Certificate
Any Questions?