Business Guides for building product manufacturers and merchants


BMF Printed Business Guides cover a wide range of industry issues such as Health & Safety, Transport, Environmental, Employment, IT and Security are available for BMF members.

A preview of our business guides are shown below. Simply log in to your account and access these in the secure downloads area.

If there is an area you need guidance on which you cannot see listed please contact Mike Tattam, BMF Commercial Director at mike.tattam@bmf.org.uk

LOAD SECURITY - GUIDANCE FOR MERCHANTS

This guide provides advice and information together with recommended best practice with regards to the security of loads carried and operated by builders merchants delivery vehicles. As drivers of delivery vehicles are ultimately responsible for their load it is critical that they ensure that the correct type of vehicle is being used for the transportation of the load and that they are happy with how the load is constructed and secured. The guide will be of particular use to Drivers, Yard & Warehouse teams but is also important for Operations Managers, Branch Managers, Health & Safety Managers, Business Owners/Directors.

Please click HERE to access

Deliveries to customer sites


This guide was developed by senior health and safety representatives from merchant, supplier and service member companies including BMF Safety Plus providers Southalls. The guide outlines the defined standards to be adopted by BMF member organisations.The intention is that such standards and guidance will create a more formal definition of what constitutes “standard industry practice” or “industry best practice” and it is hoped this will eventually lead to the development of an HSE-agreed Approved Code of Practice (ACoP).

Please click HERE to access 

Material storage and handling - in branch

This Material storage and handling - in branch business guide  was put together by senior health and safety representatives from merchant, supplier and service member companies including BMF Safety Plus providers Southalls. The guide outlines the proposed standards to be defined and adopted for BMF member organisations.  The intention is that such standards and guidance will create a more formal definition of what constitutes “standard industry practice” or “industry best practice” and will eventually lead to the development of an HSE-agreed Approved Code of Practice (ACoP).

Please click HERE to access

Pricing practices business guidePricing practices - guidance for merchants

This BMF provides guidance for merchants on pricing practices business guide


The most important legislation relating to price marking when dealing with consumers is the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (‘Regulations’). The Regulations prohibit merchants from engaging in unfair commercial practices with consumers and prohibit pricing practices that are false or misleading.Merchants are required to behave professionally and responsibly in the pricing of their products.In addition to the Regulations,overlapping obligations for the trader to consider are found in the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 and The Price Marking Order 2004 (Order) which revokes the Price Marking Order 1999.

There are certain general requirements for merchants to think about when pricing your products. Most regulations are aimed at protecting consumers. As most merchants sell to trade customers and consumers, these requirements are usually relevant.

Please click HERE to access

Slavery, trafficking and supply chains


The Modern Slavery Act (the ‘Act’) was brought into force in October 2015.

It is designed to take action to prevent the exploitation, servitude and trafficking of people who may be forced into working against their will.

BMF’s employment lawyers Halborns outline the requirements of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 in this guide.

Please click HERE to access

Selling fire doors business guideSelling fire doors and compatible third party certificated fire door components


Fire Doors are critical life safety products and must be fitted with compatible components to work safely if a fire breaks out.

A fire door is not just a single product, it is a tested system of compatible products.

Responsibilities under the Consumer Protection Law 2015 define the merchant’s responsibilities for supplying products that are fit for purpose.

This business guide outlines a practical route to managing obligation and liability using the BWF-Certifire Approved Fire Door Centre (AFDC) approach.

Please click HERE to access

Timber Chain of Custody certification


The BMF and WWF-UK’s Global Forests & Trade Network (GFTN) have come together to promote responsible trade in forest products.

This guide seeks to inform members’ choice on whether to obtain timber chain of custody certification.

It outlines the background to the debate, gives views from our marketplace, and details key considerations for BMF merchant members.

Please click HEREto access

Workplace Transport in Branch

 
This Workplace Transport - in branch guide outlines the proposed standards to be defined and adopted for BMF member organisations.

The intention is that such standards and guidance will create a more formal definition of what constitutes standard industry practice” or “industry best practice” and will eventually lead to the development of an HSE-agreed Approved Code of Practice (ACoP).

Please click HERE to access

Selling Aggregates


Like the weather (and because of it), the weight of pre-filled bags of aggregates can vary a lot, which can pose potential problems in relation to the Weights & Measures Act 1985.

This Business Guide outlines a practical approach to ensure such problems are avoided.

Follow these guidelines to ensure compliance with Trading Standards requirements. 

Please click HERE to access. 

Property investment & VAT

  
The purpose of this guide is to provide an overview of the common VAT risk areas that require careful consideration when entering into property transactions.

This business guide covers: 
- Common property transaction and their liabilities
- The option to tax
- Impact on VAT recovery
- Construction services
- The Capital Goods Scheme (CGS)

Please click HERE to access

Rebates and Refunds

The purpose of this guide is to give a high-level explanation as to the following rebates and refunds, as well as the general VAT treatment of them. 

This Business Guide covers:
- Credit and contingent discounts
- Prompt payment discounts
- Valid credit/debit notes
- How to account for rebates on an invoice
- Contractual Arrangements

Please click HERE to access

ReduceD and zero-rated supplies

The purpose of this guide is to detail the correct VAT liability of all types of construction services and goods that are exceptions to the standard rate of VAT.

This business guide covers common:
- Construction of new qualifying dwellings
- Building materials 
- Certificates for qualifying buildings
- Supplies to disabled people and charities
- Subcontractors 

Please click HERE to access

Sawmills and woodworking machinery

Each member should ensure that the risks at their own branches are identified, assessed and controlled appropriately.

This Business Guide covers:
- General principles and controls
- Machinery safety and guarding (including mainenance and servicing)
- Dust and dust extraction/local exhaust ventilation
- Noise control and hearing protection 
- Other occupational health hazards
- Other environmental and workplace factors 
- Employee training and instruction
- Compressors and compressed air
 
Please click HERE to access

Work at Height 

This business guide was put together by senior health and sfety representatives from merchant, supplier and service member companies including BMF Safety Plus providers Southalls.

The guide outlines the proposed standards to be defined and adapted for BMF member organisations. The intention is that such standards and guidance will create a more formal definition of what constitutes "standard industry practice" or "industry best practice" and will eventually lead to the development of an HSE-agreed Approved Code of Practice (ACoP).

Please click HERE to access 

Industry Standards and Guidance - Overarching Guide 

Each member should ensure that the risks at their own branches are identified, assessed and controlled appropriately.

This Business Guide covers:
- Housekeeping waste storage
- Housekeeping 
- Lighting
- Hygiene and welfare facilities
- Health surveillance
- Stress
- PPE
- Fire
- First Aid 
- Lone working
- Violence and aggression
- Legionella
- Hazardous substances
- Manual handling
- Electrical inspections
- Asbestos
- Knife use 
- Gas safety
- LPG storage
- Display screen equipment use
- Pressure washer use
- Paint mixing
- Key cutting 
- Burns and events 

Please click HERE to access

Reducing your energy costs

The purpose of this guide is to help those responsible, make more informed decisions about their company’s energy costs and consumption.

It covers:
What impacts supply prices
The supply market & options available
How to reduce the associated administrative work
Energy efficiency options

Please click HERE to access

Rebates and Refunds

The purpose of this guide is to give a high-level explanation as to the following rebates and refunds, as well as the general VAT treatment of them. 

This Business Guide covers:
- Credit and contingent discounts
- Prompt payment discounts
- Valid credit/debit notes
- How to account for rebates on an invoice
- Contractual Arrangements

Rebates and Refunds

The purpose of this guide is to give a high-level explanation as to the following rebates and refunds, as well as the general VAT treatment of them. 

This Business Guide covers:
- Credit and contingent discounts
- Prompt payment discounts
- Valid credit/debit notes
- How to account for rebates on an invoice
- Contractual Arrangements

Rebates and Refunds

The purpose of this guide is to give a high-level explanation as to the following rebates and refunds, as well as the general VAT treatment of them. 

This Business Guide covers:
- Credit and contingent discounts
- Prompt payment discounts
- Valid credit/debit notes
- How to account for rebates on an invoice
- Contractual Arrangements

PRICING PRACTICES

A guidance for Merchants on Pricing Practices.
It covers: 
Business Protection from Misleading Marketing Regulations 2008 (“BRPs”)
Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (‘Regulations’)
Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013
The Price Marking Order 2004  
(Order) which revokes the Price Marking Order 1999
List of Do’s and Don’ts

Please click HERE to access. 


Sawmills and woodworking machinery

Each member should ensure that the risks at their own branches are identified, assessed and controlled appropriatly.

This Business Guide covers:
- General principles and controls
- Machinery safety and guarding (including mainenance and servicing)
- Dust and dust extraction/local exhaust ventilation
- Noise control and hearing protection 
- Other occupational health hazards
- Other environmental and workplace factors 
- Employee training and instruction
- Compressors and compressed air

Sawmills and woodworking machinery

Each member should ensure that the risks at their own branches are identified, assessed and controlled appropriatly.

This Business Guide covers:
- General principles and controls
- Machinery safety and guarding (including mainenance and servicing)
- Dust and dust extraction/local exhaust ventilation
- Noise control and hearing protection 
- Other occupational health hazards
- Other environmental and workplace factors 
- Employee training and instruction
- Compressors and compressed air

Sawmills and woodworking machinery

Each member should ensure that the risks at their own branches are identified, assessed and controlled appropriatly.

This Business Guide covers:
- General principles and controls
- Machinery safety and guarding (including mainenance and servicing)
- Dust and dust extraction/local exhaust ventilation
- Noise control and hearing protection 
- Other occupational health hazards
- Other environmental and workplace factors 
- Employee training and instruction
- Compressors and compressed air