Business Guides for building product manufacturers and merchants

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).

Pricing 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.

Selling 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.

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.

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).

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)

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

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 

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

 

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).