CARES Moves to Scrap Paper Certificates, Citing Grenfell Tragedy

In a pivotal step towards heightened construction safety, the UK Certification Authority for Reinforcing Steels (CARES) has announced plans to discontinue paper-based certification for safety-critical products. Citing findings from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, CARES aims to eliminate potential vulnerabilities in certification processes, opting instead for secure digital systems.

A Call for Enhanced Accountability in Certification

Lee Brankley, CEO of CARES, emphasized the need for stricter scrutiny of construction products entering supply chains. Reflecting on the tragedy of Grenfell, Brankley stressed that traditional paper certificates leave room for dishonest or substandard approvals, which can compromise safety on a massive scale. "We can no longer leave open any route to a repeat of the dishonesty and incompetence revealed so shockingly by the Grenfell tragedy," Brankley stated, underscoring the urgency to prevent such failures in safety-critical materials.

Why Digital Certification Matters for Safety

By switching to a fully digital certification format, CARES aims to enhance the security and traceability of safety approvals for reinforcing steels and other construction materials. This change ensures that each certified product's performance and provenance are not only carefully examined but also securely documented in a way that is difficult to alter or forge. With digital systems, authorities can readily verify product authenticity, helping to reinforce trust within supply chains and ultimately protecting end-users.

Implications for the Construction Industry

• Increased Security: Digital certificates provide a more tamper-proof record, preventing falsified approvals from reaching construction sites.
• Enhanced Traceability: Each product’s digital certification will allow for easier tracking, making it clear where and when materials were certified.
• Alignment with Safety Standards: CARES’s move supports the Grenfell Inquiry’s call for stronger, more accountable safety standards within the industry.

The shift towards digital certification represents more than just a procedural update. It marks a critical advancement in how the industry manages safety-critical materials, ensuring rigorous checks and an uncompromised approach to safety. Through secure digital certificates, CARES is leading the way in establishing a safer, more transparent construction landscape for the future.

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