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2 October 2023
4-minute read
A handy list of trades associations
Finding the trades associations for your industry sector isn’t always easy. We’ve collated a list of the most common trades associations in the UK for you to bookmark in your browser.
Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA)
Established in 1875 to promote the technical, trade and commercial interests of British manufacturers and suppliers of agricultural machinery.
Arboricultural Association (AA)
Represents consultants from the UK, and exists to advance the science of arboriculture for the benefit of the public.
Architects Registration Board (ARB)
An independent, public interest body and their work in regulating architects ensures that good standards within the profession are consistently maintained for the benefit of both the public and architects.
Asbestos Removal Contractors Association (ARCA)
The Asbestos Removal Contractors Association (ARCA) The Leading Trade Association in the Field of Asbestos Management Services.
Association of Brickwork Contractors
The Association of Brickwork Contractors (ABC) is a Trade Body representing the largest Specialist Brickwork Contractors across the UK.
Association of Consulting Engineers
The association for the UK’s professional consultancies and engineering companies operating in the social and economic infrastructure sectors.
Association of Consultant Architects
An independent voice for, and support to architectural practices that promotes and enables high standards in practice, within the membership.
Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors (APHC)
The APHC work with the Government, Local Authorities, Unions and Consumer Organisations, APHC strives to ensure that all plumbing and heating companies are provided a stable and sustained market place.
Association of Professional Landscapers (APL)
The APL is a specialist national group within the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) and now represents individual landscape professionals and their companies.
Association of Specialist Underpinning Contractors (ASUCplus)
ASUCplus is an independent trade association formed by a number of leading contractors to promote professional and technical competence within the subsidence industry.
Building & Engineering Services Association (BESA)
BESA members are subject to regular, third-party inspection and assessment to ensure their technical and commercial competence.
Building Engineering Services Competence Accreditation (BESCA)
BESCA has been established by the Heating and Ventilating Contractors' Association (HVCA) to act as an independent assessment and certification body for the building services industry.
British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI)
The British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) was established in 1972 as the UK’s representative trade association for the landscaping sector.
British Constructional Steelwork Association
The trade body for UK and Irish steelwork contractors and the wider structural steelwork supply chain.
British Standards Institution (BSI)
BSI Group, also known in its home market as the British Standards Institution (or BSI), is a multinational business services provider whose principal activity is the production of standards and the supply of standards-related services.
British Woodworking Federation (BWF)
BWF represent manufacturers, distributors and installers of a variety of joinery and woodworking products and ensure that they comply with the highest technical and regulatory standards.
Certification & Self Assessment (Certass)
Certass (Certification & Self Assessment) is a Competent Persons Scheme, licensed by the Department for Communities and Local Government.
Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists
An inclusive global membership qualifying body for Architectural Technology.
Chartered Institute of Building
The world's largest and most influential professional body for construction management and leadership.
Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE)
The CIPHE is a professional and technical body striving to raise standards of plumbing and heating in the public interest. It has over 12,000 members from every sector of the plumbing and heating engineering services industry.
Concrete Society
A leading provider of information serving the needs of clients, architects, engineers, specifiers, suppliers, contractors and users of concrete.
Confederation of Aerial Industries Limited (CAI)
The CAI is the recognised body for the aerial and satellite industry. They are committed to raising Standards within the industry and the criteria for membership is extremely high.
Confederation of Roofing Contractors (CORC)
The CRC was formed to promote membership and protect the public against unscrupulous roofing contractors.
Construction Equipment Association (CEA)
The trade association that represents the UK construction equipment sector, and is recognised by HM Government as the voice of the industry.
Construction Products Association
The leading organisation that represents and champions construction product manufacturers and suppliers.
Contract Flooring Association (CFA)
The objectives of the CFA are to promote the highest standards of professionalism, safety and training while at the same time providing essential services and expert information to ensure quality and productivity.
CORGI Services Ltd (CSL)
Previously the watchdog for gas safety in the UK, CORGI now offers a whole range of specially selected services and professional products to the plumbing and heating trades including Technical, Insurance, Boiler Technology, Controls, HomePlan, Fenestration and Vans.
Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association (CEDIA)
CEDIA is an organisation of experienced companies involved in the design and installation of electronic systems for the home.
ELECSA
ELECSA provides inspection, assessment and certification services to contractors working with electrical installations in private dwellings.
Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA)
The role of the ECA is to provide a focus for the electrical industry in terms of safety, training, qualification, technological development and industry performance.
Electrical Contractors' Association of Scotland (SELECT)
SELECT is an independent and autonomous association driving up industry standards, ensuring that work carried out by Member companies is of the highest quality and training.
European Fencing Industry Association (EFIA)
EFIA are recognised as the leading fencing industry employer association in the European Community.
FairTrades Association
The FairTrades association was founded in 1983 and is now the biggest Multi-Trade Association in Britain. All members are vetted, endorsed and promoted by us. Specialists in the home improvement sector.
Federation of Master Builders (FMB)
The FMB is a trade association established over 60 years ago to protect the interests of small and medium-sized building firms – today it is the largest trade association in the UK building industry.
Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme (FENSA)
FENSA was set up by the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) and other industry bodies with Government encouragement in response to the current Building Regulations for England and Wales.
Gas Safe Register (GSR)
The Gas Safe Register is the official body for gas safety in United Kingdom, Isle of Man and Guernsey.
Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF)
GGF require its members to protect consumers deposits, to raise standards in the industry and offer independent arbitration should the need arise.
Guild of Bricklayers
The Guild of Bricklayers was founded in 1932 with the aims of promoting and maintaining the highest standards of craftsmanship in brickwork. Via the UK’s construction college network the guild organise with help from our partners regional competitions.
Guild of Builders & Contractors
The Guild of Builders and Contractors follow up complaints about existing members and have an established complaints procedure.
Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps (GMCS)
The Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps is a co-operative organisation for professional chimney sweeps.
Guild of Master Craftsmen
The Guild of Master Craftsmen helps the consumer receive a good service, workmanship and top quality products. The stringent entry criteria ensure that only those companies who meet the requirements are awarded membership.
Heating Equipment Testing and Approval Scheme (HETAS)
All registered installers are trained and assessed as competent. HETAS is the only competent persons scheme specialising in solid fuels and wood biomass.
Horticultural Trades Association (HTA)
The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) is the trade association for the UK garden industry. It is dedicated to helping develop the industry and its member businesses, including most garden centres and other garden retailers, growers, landscapers, manufacturers and suppliers.
The Institute of Carpenters (IOC)
Members of the Institute of Carpenters are associated with the high standards of craftsmanship and professionalism, which ensures both the members and their clients benefit from the superior knowledge and craftsmanship associated with the institute.
Institution of Civil Engineers
A professional membership body that government and industry listen to while providing unrivalled support to our 95,000 civil engineer members.
Institute of Domestic Heating & Environmental Engineers (IDHEE)
The IDHEE is an independent non-profit making professional body for the domestic heating engineer.
Incorporated into the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE) in 2019.
Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association (KBSA)
All KBSA retail members offer either a ConsumerCare Deposit Protection Scheme or a more comprehensive ConsumerCare Plus Scheme which cover the deposit, advanced payments, work-in-progress and a 6-year warranty.
London Association of Master Decorators (LAMD)
LAMD members are decorating companies and sole traders operating within the boundaries of the M25, that have a proven track record of high quality craftsmanship and excellent customer service.
Master Locksmiths Association (MLA)
The MLA licenses its approved locksmiths through regular inspections to ensure quality service and provide peace of mind to the end customer looking for a high quality locksmith, one with an exam-based qualification.
Mineral Products Association (MPA Precast)
MPA Precast is part of the Mineral Products Association, the trade association for the aggregates, asphalt, cement ,concrete, dimension stone, lime, mortar and silica sand industries.
National Association of Chimney Engineers (NACE)
NACE ensure the safety of all consumers who use a chimney or flue for the operation of a heating appliance by providing a register of competent & qualified chimney engineers for all types of chimney work.
National Association of Chimney Sweeps (NACS)
NACE is an identifiable and recognised public safety platform, conformity assessment organisation and industry expert within the Controlled Services and Controlled Fittings environment (Chimney, flues & combustion appliances). NACE promotes high standards for sweeping, inspection and maintenance of chimneys.
National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers (NAPIT)
NAPIT is an organisation committed to consumer safety in all sectors. Their aim is to ensure that through the competence of their members, consumers can be confident of work that complies with the relevant regulations.
National Federation of Builders (NFB)
NFB members are strictly vetted and have undergone a range of reference checks. They help safeguard you as a customer and give you peace of mind.
National Federation of Demolition Contractors (NFDC)
The National Federation of Demolition Contractors connects you with reputable demolition contractors. We’re driven by high standards and a commitment to continually improve the industry.
National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC)
NFRC is the UK’s largest roofing trade association representing over 60% of the roofing industry by value. By using a NFRC registered contractor you have the comfort of guaranteed protection and quality.
National House Building Council (NHBC)
The UK’s leading independent provider of warranty and insurance for new homes.
National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC)
NICEIC is the electrical contracting industry’s independent voluntary body for electrical installation matters throughout the UK.
National Institute of Carpet and Floorlayers (NICF)
The N.I.C.F promotes excellence in the field of carpet and floor-laying by carrying out assessments on all its members.
National Insulation Association (NIA)
The NIA represents the insulation industry in the UK and their members include manufacturers and installers of a number of insulation solutions for your home or business.
Oil Firing Technical Association (OFTEC)
OFTEC is a Trade Association representing manufacturers of oil firing and cooking equipment such as oil boilers, range cookers and storage tanks, also it runs a Competent Persons Scheme for technicians who work on oil fired appliances.
Painting and Decorating Association (PDA)
The Painting and Decorating Association is a professional body representing members that adhere to the highest standards in decorating services.
Property Care Association (PCA)
The PCA is the premier trade body for the structural waterproofing, wood preservation, damp proofing, flood remediation and structural maintenance industries in the UK. Offering professional advice and help.
Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS)
The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) is a professional body for all chartered architects in Scotland.
Stone Federation Great Britain
A trade association for the natural stone industry which is involved in all aspects of the industry and provides a point of contact for information, advice and guidance.
The Brick Development Association (BDA)
The national authority on clay bricks and pavers. Their role is to communicate the collective interests of its members and to ensure their products remain the material of choice in the UK’s built environment.
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)
The RIBA is a source of information on architecture and related subjects. From up-to-date material on all aspects of design and construction, from planning and climate change to housing and flooding.
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