Official Bodies and Trade Associations

The AA was founded in 1964 as a scientific and educational organisation, keen to promote the care and value of trees in no forest settings. The passion for trees shown by our founders then continues to exist in our Board and members today. Trees make a difference to the world in which we live. To our health, our well-being and our environment.

The Architects Register is the definitive record of all UK architects. If someone is not on the Register, they are not an architect – it’s as simple as that.

The title “architect” is protected by law in the UK. It can only be used by people who have the appropriate education, training and experience needed to join the Architects Register.

The AFI promotes safety, quality and professionalism throughout the UK fencing industry. AFI members are top performing companies who meet statutory obligations and provide the highest quality goods and services. The AFI also assists with training requirements to ensure members have the correct qualifications.

The British Association of Removers is the only properly constituted Trade Association in the removal sector dedicated to promoting professional excellence in the Removals & Storage Industry for the mutual benefit of removers and their customers.

All BAR-Members are working to the BAR-TSI approved Code of Practice, and are required to meet strict standards. BAR Members are regularly inspected by qualified auditors to make sure that their facilities, equipment, staff training, operational procedures, quality standards and customer satisfaction system remain at the highest level.

The British Blind and Shutter Association (BBSA) is the only national trade association for companies that manufacture, supply and install interior and exterior blinds, awnings, security grilles and shutters and associated motor and control systems.

BHTA's vision is that consumers and patients in the UK have access to healthcare and assistive technology products and services which meet their needs and which are innovative, safe and fairly priced.

Build UK provides a strong collective voice for the contracting supply chain in construction. We bring together 27 of the industry’s largest Main Contractors and 40 leading Trade Associations representing over 11,500 Specialist Contractors.

Build UK focuses on key industry issues that can deliver change and enable the contracting supply chain to improve the efficiency and delivery of construction projects to the benefit of the industry and its clients.

Build UK was created as a result of a merger between the National Specialist Contractors Council (NSCC) and UK Contractors Group (UKCG) in 2015.

CIAT is a dynamic, forward-thinking and inclusive global membership qualifying body for Architectural Technology. It exists as a not-for-profit organisation to lead, represent and promote Architectural Technology and to set and maintain the standards for education, practice and professionalism. As a regulated Chartered qualification CIAT also has a societal responsibility.

It is the only international body permitted to award the regulated and protected qualification, ‘Chartered Architectural Technologist’ and the protected designations MCIAT or FCIAT. This status recognises the distinct nature of the Architectural Technology discipline and reflects the prestigious and independent character of the Institute.

CAI was formed in 1978 to represent, and establish standards in, the rapidly growing TV signal reception industry.

Although the technologies our members work with have developed beyond anyone’s expectations since we formed, our core strengths remain the same. We set industry standards, and vet applications to join. Consumers who use a CAI member can be confident that the member they choose will have the skills and expertise necessary to complete their work to the expected standard.

Visit www.cai.org.uk or www.getmeviewing.org.uk for more, or to find an installer.

A Dementia Friend learns a little bit more about what it's like to live with dementia and then turns that understanding into action - anyone of any age can be a Dementia Friend.

Whether you attend a face-to-face Dementia Friends Information Session or watch our online video, Dementia Friends is about learning more about dementia and the small ways you can help.

From telling friends about Dementia Friends to visiting someone you know living with dementia, every action counts.

ECA is the UK’s leading trade association that represents and supports the interests of businesses and organisations involved in electrotechnical and engineering services design, installation, inspection, testing, maintenance and monitoring.

ECA has been a driving force in the industry since its formation in 1901. Today, many organisations that are involved in improving industry standards and embracing positive change do so as a direct result of ECA involvement or alternatively engage with ECA on an ongoing basis.

We offer membership to businesses across the electrotechnical and engineering services industry achieving the highest industry standards and certifications.

SELECT is the trade association for the electrical contracting industry in Scotland. Founded in 1900 as The Electrical Contractors' Association of Scotland, SELECT became the first trade association in the world to serve the electrical industry.

Members carry out a wide range of design, manufacturing, testing and commissioning work and each is accredited to one or more of ten technical disciplines.

Member companies account for around 90% of all electrical installation work carried out in Scotland, have a collective turnover of around £1 billion and provide employment for 15,000. SELECT ensures that work carried out by Member companies is of the highest quality, employs the best of modern technology and, above all is safe.

The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) is the UK's largest trade association in the building industry.

Established in 1941 to protect the interests of small and medium-sized building firms, the FMB is independent and non-profit-making, lobbying continuously for members’ interests at both national and local levels.

The FWC is an independent, non-profit making organisation founded in 1947 to support Domestic & Commercial window cleaners. Working together with government and professional associations, such as BCC, IOSH and the HSE CILF to promote and improve the window cleaning industry. Liability insurance is compulsory alongside our Code of Practice.

Gas Safe Register is the official gas registration body for the United Kingdom, Isle of Man and Guernsey, appointed by the relevant Health and Safety Authority for each area.

By law all gas engineers must be on the Gas Safe Register.

The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) is the main trade organisation for companies involved in all aspects of the manufacture and supply of flat glass and glazing products as well as installation services for all types of glazing, for the commercial and domestic sectors, in the UK and Ireland. On behalf of the industry, the GGF engages with Governments across the UK and Europe and plays a large part in influencing UK and international standards and regulations.

As well as supplying its Members with the highest quality technical and health and safety guidance, the GGF also provides homeowners with free impartial advice via its award winning website MyGlazing.com.

The Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps is the UK’s premier “not for Profit” trade association for professional chimney sweeps promoting customer safety and responsible use to reduce environmental impact on emissions.

Members of the Lead Contractors Association (LCA) are all specialist leadworkers. They have skills in other areas too, with many offering services in copper, zinc, stainless steel, slating, tiling but first and foremost they are superb specialists in leadwork.

The Master Locksmiths Association (MLA), a not-for-profit trade association, was established to set and promote standards of conduct, practice and materials within the locksmithing industry.

MLA member companies, who undergo strict vetting, regular inspections and employ a qualified locksmith, can provide you with peace of mind regarding the security of your property. Visit our website for details on your nearest MLA approved company.

NAPIT is a leading Government approved and United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) accredited membership scheme operator in the building services and fabric sector.

There are currently more than 16,000 NAPIT registered installers in the electrical, heating, plumbing, ventilation, microgeneration and building fabric trades across the UK domestic, commercial and industrial markets.

Check the NAPIT website for up to date scope of works carried out by the member.

The National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) demands high professional standards of its members; the 4,000 UK funeral homes in NAFD membership are required to abide by a strict Code of Practice and are monitored regularly to ensure a high quality of service is maintained.

Whatever your circumstances, in your time of loss you can turn to an NAFD member firm, for their help in arranging a funeral that will be a fitting farewell.

The National Federation of Demolition Contractors is the voice of the UK demolition industry. It is dedicated to a continual improvement of the demolition industry for the benefit of its members, customers, and the general public through training, monitoring and policing of best practices.

NICEIC is the UK’s most recognised professional body for electricians and currently maintains a roll of over 28,000 registered contractors. It has been assessing the electrical competence of electricians for sixty years.

Electricians registered with NICEIC are assessed on a regular basis to ensure high standards and their work is checked against the IEE Wiring Regulations BS 7671 as well as other standards.

NICEIC’s Platinum Promise protects the consumer for up to £25,000 in the event that any work undertaken by NICEIC contractors is not up to standard.

For more information or to find a qualified electrician in your area, visit our website.

The National Pest Technicians Association (NPTA) is a professional not-for-profit Trade Association that represents all sectors within the Public Health and Pest Control Industry.

The NPTA was established to set and promote standards of conduct and practice within the Pest Control Industry.

All NPTA members adhere to Codes of Practice and Accredited members undergo strict audits to ensure they remain at the highest level.

OFTEC is a leading trade association in the UK and Irish heating industry. To maintain high standards OFTEC’s provides a registration scheme for businesses that undertake oil, solid fuel and renewable heating work.

Before becoming OFTEC registered, heating technicians must take an approved training course and pass an assessment. Then, before their registration is confirmed, they must pass an inspection by OFTEC to ensure their work meets the required standard. The business they work for must also pass an audit.

Registered technicians are then inspected at regular intervals and must undertake their work in accordance with regional building regulations and approved industry standards.

To check whether a business is currently registered, visit www.oftec.org

This non-profit Association, established in 1894, is the UK’s premier trade body for painters and decorators. Committed to fostering industry excellence, PDA Members must fulfill a comprehensive criterion – demonstrating their experience, workmanship and dedication to customer service – before earning the PDA’s quality marque, a symbol of professionalism.

PDA Members adhere to the Association's Code of Practice, are fully insured and are backed by the organisation’s arbitration reconciliation service, offering customers peace of mind throughout the decorating process.

The Property Care Association is the trade association representing property specialists who can be trusted to resolve problems affecting buildings.

The PCA promotes high standards of professionalism and technical proficiency within the industry through training and other support services.

The aim of the Renewable Energy Consumer Code is to ensure that consumers wishing to install a small-scale heat or power generation unit for their homes have the necessary confidence and service standards so that they can make an informed choice.

The Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation aims to ensure the highest standards across the heating and plumbing industry in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Using a SNIPEF Licensed Business gives you peace of mind that you have chosen a professional and appropriately qualified contractor and that all work is covered by a warranty scheme.

Scottish Building Federation is the oldest and largest federation representing the construction industry in Scotland. SBF was established in 1895 working with its members to bring together ideals, collective needs and collaborative business practices.

SBF continues to represent the interests and aspirations of its members throughout Scotland. The membership is made up of hundreds of differing types of companies including large, medium-sized and small businesses working within construction and general contracting.

Our members undertake approximately 75% of the painting and decorating work in Scotland.
We exist to be the voice for the reputable, qualified decorator and to improve the image of the industry, We are an influential, lobbying body and provide our members with access to the latest knowledge, training and skills and by negotiating with Unite the union on wage and conditions for the industry.

SSAIB is the leading certification body for organisations providing security systems and services, fire detection and alarm systems and manned services.

Certification with SSAIB is a mark of excellence and, with over 1,600 small and larger companies registered, we represent the greatest number of security service providers in the sector

Stone Federation is the official trade association for the natural stone industry.

The Federation co-ordinates all aspects of the industry and provides specifiers and users with a first point of contact for information, advice and guidance in sourcing an appropriate material and a reliable service.

The Confederation of Roofing Contractors is the premier roofing trade association in the UK. All members are able to offer a fully insured 10 - 20 year back up guarantee on all new works.

The Electric Vehicle Consumer Code for Home Chargepoints, or EVCC, has been designed to ensure installers offer high standards of consumer protection so that consumers can have the confidence to install a chargepoint at their home. It covers the entire consumer journey from the installer’s first contact with a consumer to the final sign-off.

Choosing an EVCC member to install a home chargepoint gives consumers peace of mind and installers the confidence that they are complying with the law.

The Guild of Master Craftsmen provides consumers with a database of skilled and reputable professionals who are masters of their particular trade.

www.findacraftsman.com is the only place that exclusively lists members of The Guild, which makes it easy to find a rated and recommended tradesman or artisan you can trust, wherever you are based.

Although we represent traditional tradesmen such as plumbers, builders, carpenters, plasterers and electricians, we also aim to be a growing resource for all manner of specialist trades and crafts. Our business categories page lists the many professions we support

The National Federation of Roofing Contractors Limited (NFRC) is the UK’s largest roofing trade association, representing over 70% of the roofing industry by value.

The National Insulation Association (NIA) represents the insulation industry in the United Kingdom. It exists to promote a more energy-efficient built environment and our members are fully committed to maintaining and raising standards within the insulation industry.

Only by delivering a positive result for customers today can we convince the customers of tomorrow to invest in insulating their properties.

The Property Ombudsman is a free, independent and impartial dispute resolution service for consumer complaints against UK property agents.

As the UK’s largest property ombudsman scheme, TPO currently provides redress for consumers using 25,500 offices in the UK (inc. residential sales, lettings and leasehold agents, commercial agents, international agents and chattels (auction firms).

TrustMark is the only government endorsed quality scheme for work carried out in and around your home. TrustMark licences and audits over 35 Scheme Providers with over 15,000 Registered Businesses. These encompass 156 different service types and include everything from plumbers to landscape gardeners and most trades in-between.

UK Locksmiths Association are a training provider who have set up many people into the Locksmith industry having completed our courses.

All our Locksmiths are then certified and are given their only manuals and helplines. We have a trusted and vetted membership scheme for Locksmiths who all have an ID card and are DBS checked.

Woodsure is a not-for-profit organisation and the UK's only wood fuel quality assurance scheme, striving to improve the standard of wood fuel and educate consumers on responsible wood fuel usage. Woodsure certification demonstrates that a wood fuel adheres to legality and sustainability requirements, following stringent checks to ensure it is clean and sustainable.