CPA Weekly Notes – 20th February 2026

Issue No. 1189, 20th February 2026 FOR MEMBERS ONLY

Association Activities

CPA AGM and CPA Spring Lunch – Single Seats Now Available
Join us for the CPA Spring Lunch on April 23, 2026, at Hilton Park Lane, London. This event is one of the most significant networking opportunities in the construction industry, attracting influential professionals from all areas of the construction industry. Whether you are a manufacturer, supplier, client, or contractor the CPA Spring Lunch provides a chance to connect and build valuable relationships. Reserve your table or seat now and ensure your place. 

Sponsorship Opportunities at CPA Spring Lunch 2026
Take advantage of our sponsorship opportunities at the CPA Spring Lunch 2026. By partnering with us, your brand will gain maximum exposure before, during, and after the event. This is an excellent way to showcase your commitment to the construction industry and reach a wider audience. By becoming a sponsor, you will not only support this prestigious event but also position your brand for future success. Let’s make the CPA Spring Lunch 2026 an event to remember! For more details on how to become a sponsor, please reach out to Fabi. For details about sponsorship see here.

Weekly Calendar of Meetings 

• Peter Caplehorn, CPA Chief Executive, will have a number of meetings with members this week; will meet with directors at the MHCLG, OPSS and Building Safety Regulator to discuss product issues; will attend a meeting of the Construction Products Europe to discuss trade association activity across the EU; and join a regular meeting of the Construction Leadership Council’s Task Force.
• Jeff May, CPA Deputy Chief Executive, will represent CPA members in regular meetings with Make UK and the CBI.
• Jane Thornback, CPA Sustainability Policy Advisor, will support the Chair in a regular meeting of the Sustainable Construction Committee.
• Hanna Clarke, Digital and Policy Manager, will have a variety of meetings with industry colleagues and civil servants around both competence and digitalisation of product information.
• Rob Lee, CPA Senior External Affairs Manager, will join the Enterprise Forum meeting with Kevin McKenna MP.

Economics Update

CPA Weekly UK Economic and Construction Update
The latest weekly update can be found here it includes:

• ONS UK CPI Inflation (January 2026)
• ONS UK Construction Employment (2025 Q4)
• ONS UK Construction Wage Inflation (December 2025)
• Insolvency Service Construction Insolvencies (December 2025)

The State of Trade Survey 2025 Q4 was published on Monday 9th February and can be found here.
The CPA’s Winter Forecasts were published on Monday 26 January and can be found here.

Government Update

Wienerberger Publishes Cost of Compliance Paper
The Cost of Compliance whitepaper explores the far-reaching impact of the Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA) on architectural practice across the UK. Drawing on independent research with 80 architects, it reveals that professionals are now spending an average of four hours per week verifying product claims—equating to around £16,700 per employee each year in additional costs. Since the BSA’s introduction, 95% of architects report increased compliance-related administration, while 81% feel more concerned about professional indemnity risk. With training budgets rising by 14% and widespread frustration around incomplete or inconsistent data, the findings paint a picture of a profession under mounting pressure—balancing creativity, client expectations and stricter regulatory accountability. Central to the discussion is the need for clearer, independently verified product information to rebuild trust and reduce duplication of effort.
The paper highlights the role of the Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI) in setting higher standards for transparency and accountability, alongside practical solutions such as BIM integration.  The paper can be read in full here.

PAS 2000 Launch Event 
This free event marks the launch of PAS 2000 and is aimed at those involved in manufacturing, specifying, testing, or procuring construction products. Regulatory requirements and expectations around product safety, accountability, and evidence are increasing. The event will explain what PAS 2000 covers, why it matters, and how organisations can apply it in practice.
Developed in response to the Morrell/Day Testing for a Safer Future report and the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, PAS 2000 sets out a framework for demonstrating that reasonable steps have been taken to ensure products are safe for their intended use. It supports the delivery of clear, accurate, and reliable evidence on product safety and performance, helping to meet the needs of clients, partners, and regulators. Details and booking can be found here.

Industry News

The Built Environment Competence Hub is now live
The Built Environment Competence Hub, managed by BSI and developed in collaboration with the Industry Competence Steering Group (ICSG) and the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) is designed to bring industry together in a central space to strengthen competence across the UK built environment. Read the CPA blog here.

CPA in the News

The Hidden Cost of Inconsistent Product Data in a Post-BSA Era
The Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI), initiated by the Construction Products Association (CPA), was developed to raise standards in construction product information and address misleading or ambiguous claims. Through third-party assessment, CCPI aims to create a clearer benchmark for accuracy and transparency – supporting architects in their specification decisions and reducing the need for repeat validation
ADF | 20/02/2026 | online

CPA  Welcomes Government’s Warm Homes Plan, But Warns Against Delivery Risks
The Construction Products Association (CPA) has welcomed the government’s Warm Homes Plan and its renewed focus on incentivising the uptake of renewable energy products such as heat pumps and solar, but does not welcome its move away from a ‘fabric first’ approach and proper insulation. CPA argues that the government has decided to generate more energy rather conserve it. 
Tilezine | 12/02/2026 | online

Demand remains top concern for construction product manufacturer
Demand remains the single biggest concern for construction product manufacturers and the primary constraint on future sales. The Construction Products Association’s (CPA’s) latest State of Trade Survey for Q4 2025 showed that 71 per cent of heavy side firms and 60 per cent of those on the light side expected demand to be the primary pressure on sales over the next 12 months.
Construction News | 10/02/2026 | online
also in Borne Go Construct, Roofing Today, Builders Merchants Journal

Construction Leadership Council’s materials group admits market looks ‘bleak’ at moment
Peter Caplehorn, CEO of the Construction Products Association, co-chairs of the Construction Leadership Council’s Material Supply Chain Group. The first report of the year from the CLC’s Material Supply Chain Group is notable for its bleak assessment of market prospects without urgent action to stimulate demand.
Building | 29/01/2026 | online
also in BuildNews, Specification Online, Roofing Today, Tilezine