A chance to legalise UK salvage and reuse

Posted on | By Thornton Kay
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London South West, UK - The EU Construction Products Regulations officially outlawed the reuse of reclaimed building material because it is not CE marked. But the UK trade (and salvage businesses in EU countries) can still sell old bricks, stone, fireplaces, bathroom fittings and the like because the government, as a result of pressure from Salvo, has ignored the anti-salvage clauses now embodied within UK construction regulations - a procedure known as 'derogation'. This is because the UK believes that reuse is a good idea as it saves resources and energy.

Leaving the EU gives an opportunity for the UK government to ditch the offending clauses completely.

This week, the UK minister for the environment, Michael Gove, started his speech at the Tory conference in Manchester with support for reuse. Having made the point that his new job was evidence that the Conservative Party was keen on recycling (MPs), he said, "No-one is a bigger supporter of reusing once discarded material than me."

Salvo will be writing to Michael Gove to ask the government not simply to repeal the anti-salvage parts of the Construction Products Regulations but to actively encourage the reuse of reclaimed building material and architectural salvage in order to save carbon emissions and reduce global warming.

To this end we would like your support, especially from anyone living or working in Michael Gove's constituency in Surrey Heath.

Also, please consider sending a letter to your MP requesting their support in removing the anti-salvage clauses outlawing reclaimed building materials from the Construction Product Regulations.

Vote derogation! Vote reclamation! Vote niche! Vote Tory! News 01 Jun 2017

Brexit, reclaimed building material and derogation from the CPR News 12 Dec 2016

HMG: 2013 EU Construction Products Regulation and CE marking
EU: FAQ covering the Construction Products Regulation (CPR)

Story Type: Letter