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CCPI explained: what it means for construction industry professionals
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The Code for Construction Product Information is a voluntary industry code that was introduced in 2021 to improve the way that construction product information is created, maintained and communicated. In this article, we explore the code’s aims, why it’s important and how it affects organisations in the construction industry.
What is the Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI)?
CCPI is operated by CPI Ltd, an independent not-for-profit organisation. Its mission is to ensure that information and marketing around construction products are ‘clear, accurate, accessible, up to date and unambiguous’. This is intended to make the performance of building materials easier to understand and trust, thus raising standards within construction.
CCPI includes separate requirements for participating construction product manufacturers and for merchants and distributors, reflecting the different roles they play in communicating product information.
Why was the CCPI introduced?
The Code was developed in response to Dame Judith Hackitt's 2018 Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety following the Grenfell Tower fire. The review identified shortcomings in the way construction product information was presented and marketed. This emphasised the need for product claims to be clear and supported by appropriate evidence.
In light of the review, the Construction Products Association (CPA) established a Marketing Integrity Group to examine how construction products were marketed and how information about their performance was presented. Its work led to the development of the Code for Construction Product Information, which launched in 2021 to raise industry standards.
What does the CCPI require?
CCPI is voluntary, so there is no legal requirement to sign up. However, manufacturers, merchants and distributors that choose to participate are assessed against criteria designed to ensure that construction product information is clear, accurate and supported by appropriate evidence.
There are two separate Codes: an 11-clause Code for manufacturers and a four-clause Code for merchants and distributors. Participating organisations must provide evidence showing how their product information and processes meet the relevant requirements. This is independently reviewed before a CCPI-assessed mark can be awarded.
Clear and accurate product information
Manufacturers must make sure that any claims made in their product information are clear, unambiguous and supported by appropriate evidence. CCPI also provides guidance on words and phrases that can create uncertainty or potentially mislead users.
Product information should be written so that its meaning is clear to the intended audience, with technical terminology and abbreviations explained where necessary.
Manufacturers must also keep product information up to date, reflect relevant product changes in revised documentation and provide contact details for technical support.
Consistency across marketing and technical information
Product information must be managed consistently across technical and marketing channels, with supporting information made available to users.
Manufacturers must provide product information on their website. This must include relevant technical details about product characteristics, handling, installation, operation, maintenance and disposal.
If guarantees or warranties are provided, the information must clearly explain what is covered, what is excluded and any conditions that must be met.
Evidence and verification
Manufacturers must be able to substantiate the performance and other claims made in product information. This means retaining appropriate evidence and ensuring that claims accurately reflect the supporting test results, classifications, certification or other technical documentation.
This will make it easier for product users to understand the basis of a claim and to carry out due diligence when assessing whether a product is suitable for a particular application.
Responsibility and accountability
CCPI goes beyond reviewing individual pieces of product information. Participating organisations must also demonstrate that they have the leadership, culture and management processes needed to create, approve and maintain accurate information over time.
This includes documented processes for reviewing and signing off product information, maintaining audit trails and ensuring changes are recorded and reflected in updated information.
CCPI registration is also ongoing. Organisations that carry the CCPI-assessed mark must maintain their systems, respond to issues and demonstrate continuous improvement while the mark is valid.
Who does the CCPI affect?
CCPI most directly affects manufacturers, merchants and distributors, who can be formally assessed against the Code. However, it also has implications for architects, specifiers, contractors, developers and other product users who rely on construction product information when making specification and procurement decisions.
Manufacturers
Manufacturers are assessed against 11 clauses. These cover areas such as responsibility for product information, the clarity and substantiation of performance claims, accessibility of information and technical competence. The assessment also considers organisational leadership, culture and the systems used to create, approve and maintain product information.
Where a manufacturer successfully conforms with the code, a CCPI-assessed mark can be awarded for a specific product set. This is valid for up to two years, provided the manufacturer remains registered and continues to meet CCPI's requirements.
Merchants and distributors
Merchants and distributors are assessed against a four-clause version of the Code. The focus is on the systems they use to manage product information, including audit trails, sign-off processes and ensuring information remains up to date.
Where employees provide product advice, organisations must also ensure that they have the appropriate knowledge and training.
Unlike the manufacturer's mark, which applies to a defined product set, the merchant and distributor mark applies to the whole organisation and its product information management processes.
Architects and specifiers
For architects and specifiers, CCPI can provide greater confidence in the product information used to support specification. Knowing that information has been independently assessed against CCPI can support due diligence.
Architectural practices, specifiers and other professional organisations can also become CCPI Demand-Side Supporters. In doing so, they commit to raising standards in product information and encouraging suppliers to engage with the Code.
Contractors and subcontractors
As with architects, contractors and subcontractors rely on accurate product information when procuring, installing and using construction products. CCPI-assessed information helps them assess the reliability of the information supplied by manufacturers.
As with architects and specifiers, contractors can also become CCPI Demand-Side Supporters.
What impact does the CCPI have on specification and material choices?
CCPI can support architects, specifiers and contractors when comparing construction products. It details how product information has been created, managed and substantiated, helping them to make more informed decisions.
A CCPI-assessed mark indicates that the product information for a particular set of products has been independently assessed against the requirements of the Code. This can make it easier to identify manufacturers that have robust processes in place for communicating product performance and supporting claims.
However, assessment does not guarantee that a product is suitable for a particular application. Architects, specifiers and contractors must still review the relevant declarations of performance (DoPs), EPDs, certificates, classifications, test reports and other technical evidence to confirm that the product meets the requirements of their project.
How Lignacite supports reliable product information
For participating manufacturers, CCPI requires product information processes to be formally documented, reviewed and maintained. This includes how information is created and verified, how changes are recorded and how technical data is reflected across marketing materials.
At Lignacite, we have established processes for creating, reviewing and approving product information, supported by published guidance for the teams responsible for producing it. Technical information, including product datasheets and supporting performance information, is made available to help customers assess products against the requirements of their projects.
We also provide independent evidence to support our environmental claims. For example, the recycled content used in the Lignacite ECO Range has been independently verified, while Environmental Product Declarations provide independently verified data on embodied carbon performance. The range's technical information, datasheets and EPDs are available through the Lignacite ECO website.
Our wider approach is supported by recognised management systems and product standards, including ISO 9001 for quality management, ISO 14001 for environmental management and BES 6001 for responsible sourcing. Lignacite concrete blocks are manufactured to BS EN 771-3, with technical documentation available for individual products.
