Construction products approval body the BBA has defended its decision not to follow the example of its French equivalent and downgrade the fire performance of the cladding used on Grenfell Tower.

The BBA accredits the performance of construction products with its stamp of approval, widely accepted by specifiers, building control and insurers.

French certification body CSTB lowered the fire rating of Reynobond ACM cladding panels featuring a polyethylene core back in 2014.

The decision meant the rating for the polyethylene core panels, known as Reynobond PE, was taken below UK building regulations’ requirements for use on buildings over 18m high – meaning had the French ratings been used in the UK, the cladding would not have been allowed.

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