ASSOCIATION INFORMATION | How do I join?

Commercial and Marketing Activities

Exhibitions
The Association, through F.E.T.A., is a sponsor of the U.K. national exhibition, formerly known as HEVAC International and latterly as national HVAC Show, which provides the major U.K. shop window for H.V. and A.C. products.

Promoting Exports
The Association organises Joint Ventures to overseas trade fairs and exhibitions.

Newsletters are published to provide members with information on export opportunities and activities.

Seminars and Conferences are organised to promote marketing opportunities and trading conditions both at home and abroad.

The Association works closely with European Trade Associations specifically with technical and Marketing activities of the European Chimneys Association (E.C.A.) for which the B.F.C.M.A. was a founder member.

Press and Public Relations
BFCMA enjoys a close relationship with the Trade Press and obtains effective publicity for the industry and for the Association's members. Moreover, a very good commercial dialogue is maintained with many other professional and governmental organisations.

Other Commercial Services
The Association works with Government to produce meaningful industry statistics. However, recognising that government statistics are unlikely ever to contain sufficiently detailed marketing information for members, the Association conducts its oen surveys and market research in specific product areas and produces detailed statistics for participating members.

• Commercial Newsletters are published regularly and provide members with information on sales opportunities at home and abroad.
• Topics of mutual concern to members such as Credit Control and Terms and Conditions of Trade are regularly discussed and progressed.
• Seminars and Conferences are organised to promote marketing opportunities and to assist members in improving their commercial efficiency.
• A free Legal Service provides advice for members on contract matters and information in respect of E.E.C., U.K. and other legislation.
• The Association also operates a parliamentary lobby service to ensure that members' views are properly represented in parliament.

Technical Activities
Of the many technical activities of the Association, one of the most important relates to work in producing standards and codes of practice for the industry. Through the Association, members have access to and influence national and international standards authorities including the European Standards Authority, C.E.N., and the British Standards Institution, B.S.I. The B.F.C.M.A. currently participates on drafting standards on 20 B.S.I. Committees and all the European Standards Committees under C.E.N. TC166.

The Association played a leading role in developing, with other organisations, National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) on installation, repair and maintenance of chimneys and flues.

Useful Links:

British Board of Agrément - BBA
The British Board of Agrément is an organisation partnered with Government and whose Governing Board includes representation on behalf of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. The BBA's Agrément Certificates have been providing authoritative and independent information on the performance of building products for over 35 years.

BSRIA
BSRIA is a consultancy, test and research organisation working with construction and building services companies and their clients. They have a close link to FETA and its Associations.

CORGI
CORGI is a world-renowned regulatory organisation, ensuring the safety of gas consumers for over 30 years. Today CORGI provides a broad range of services supporting consumers, gas installers and associated trades and industries.

HETAS
HETAS is the official body recognised by government to approve solid fuel domestic heating appliances, fuels and services.

Federation of Master Builders - FMB
The FMB is a trade association established over 60 years ago to protect the interests of small and medium-sized building firms – today it is the largest trade association in the UK building industry.

National Association of Chimney Engineers – NACE
The National Association of Chimney Engineers sets and enforces national standards of workmanship and quality of product in the construction industry, culminating in the recent introduction of NVQs (Chimney Engineering).

National Fireplace Association – NFA
The National Fireplace Association (NFA) is the trade association of the fire and fireplace industry. Its primary objective is to promote stoves, fires and fireplaces for all fuels, but it also seeks to encourage high standards within the industry,

Institute of Gas Engineers - IGE
IGEM is the leading independent body serving a wide range of professionals in the UK and international gas industry. It is one of the world’s foremost authorities for gas related commercial and technical matters – developing and promoting industry expertise worldwide.

National Association of Chimney Sweeps – NACS
The National Association of Chimney Sweeps is a professional trade association that promotes high standards for the sweeping, inspection and maintenance of chimneys. It is the national trade association in the UK to represent Chimney Sweeps and is exclusively recommended by all major fuel organisations – Solid Fuel Association, HETAS (Heating Equipment Testing & Approval Scheme), British Gas, OFTEC (Oil Firing Technical Association), National Fireplace Association.

Oil Firing Technical Association - OFTEC
OFTEC looks after the oil heating and cooking industry throughout the UK and Ireland. Their mission is ‘promoting excellence in oil heating and cooking’. They are a trade association responsible for maintaining high standards of appliance manufacture, and they maintain the only Government register of ‘Competent Persons’ who are qualified to work on oil fired heating and cooking appliances.

We can be contacted at our Registered Office:
Federation of Environmental Trade Associations Ltd
2 Waltham Court, Milley Lane, Hare Hatch, Reading, Berkshire, RG10 9TH United Kingdom
Tel No: + 44 (0)118 940 3416 - Fax No: + 44 (0)118 940 6258
E-mail: info@feta.co.uk