The New BS7533 - 102 and What It Means For You
New British Standard for Pavement Installation: A New Opportunity for Builders Merchants
Text extracted from OneVoice Autumn 2025, page 36.
Information provided by David Burton Chair of the committee for the British Standards Institute & MD for BMF member, tuffbau Limited t/as Steintec, a UK-based manufacturer of High Performance Paving Mortars, together with David Strows - Chairman of the APL - Association of Professional Landscapers.
In a constantly evolving construction environment, the introduction of a new British Standard for pavement installation comes as a breath of fresh air for the domestic landscaping industry, the public, and the construction sector in general.
BS 7533-102 speaks to the Construction Industry, its Clients and Customers, using language plainly understandable by all. It sets out best practice clearly for those engaged in large contracts, where materials are specified and method statements dictate, whilst also helping Landscaping Contractors.
Tradespeople and Designers of even the smallest projects are provided with clear guidance on what materials may be used and how choices affect outcome thus empowering all concerned. By providing clear and straightforward guidance on both Materials and Methodology, this standard not only improves the quality of work carried out by Tradespeople but also helps to educate and empower the Public by informing their choice of installer.
So how does all this translate into being a new opportunity for Builders Merchants?
Enhancing Quality and Reliability
This new British Standard provides installation guidance for pavements constructed with Precast Concrete, Clay, Porcelain and Natural Stone Paving units, commonly referred to as modular paving.
Clause 4 gives design and installation guidance for modular pavements not trafficked by heavy goods vehicles and buses, in other words that vast section of the paving industry that includes domestic driveways, parking bays and patios, also the thousands of miles of pathways built and maintained by Local Government and Highways Maintenance Crews.
From now on, contractors and tradespeople in these sectors will be asking for products that conform to performance guidelines, and this is where the Builders Merchant comes in. Builders Merchants who familiarise themselves with BS 7533-102 Clause 4 and make it a point of reference in their dialogue with Tradespeople and DIYers are ready to respond to a growing demand for products that genuinely comply with the British Standard. The responsible Merchant can make this translate into a smaller and less confusing range of products, faster moving stocks and higher margins. By championing quality, the Merchant wins their customers’ trust and loyalty; everybody wins as failures and disappointment are avoided and repeat sales grow.
Educating Tradespeople and the Public
Without a recognised Standard to make clear which products may be considered suitable, the Tradesperson, the Client and the Merchant are at the mercy of unscrupulous players in the industry, promises are meaningless unless backed up by compliance with relevant Standards. The false and exaggerated claims of advertisers and influencers can send customers to the Merchant with the name of an unsuitable product already on their lips. In this industry sector, polymer modified sands and sub-standard resin-based mortars have famously failed yet continue to be promoted because there has been no common benchmark of quality, performance and best practice. BS 7533-102 changes all that by providing the tools needed to guide customers to compliant products that do not disappoint and so bring repeat sales.
When a customer asks how thick a paving slab should be, whether Sandstone, Granite or Porcelain, the answer is in BS 7533-102 Clause 4.
When a customer asks what type of mortar is needed for bedding, bonding and jointing, what performance criteria should be complied with, the answer is in BS 7533-102 Clause 4.
Product manufacturers can clearly state their compliance with BS 7533 and the Builders Merchant becomes the knowledgeable point of reference, able to state with confidence which products are suitable for a customer’s needs and which are not. Understanding the need for compliance with a British Standard can also make rejecting the persistent advances of an unscrupulous sales rep. much easier for the busy Builders Merchant.
Building Public Confidence
When products fail in service, the customers' disappointment and anger are not the only negative outcome, The Merchant who supplied those products is tarred with the same brush, perhaps even more so than the unscrupulous manufacturers or importers, who don't have to deal with that customer again and who have moved on, whereas Builders Merchants have long been respected members of their community and their reputation, the trust customers place in them, are their most valuable, hard won assets.
The public’s perception of construction quality is increasingly highlighted by consumer media focusing on rogue trading. By promoting and referencing this British Standard, Builders Merchants can confidently reassure Tradespeople and Homeowners that their paving project conforms to the highest benchmarks of safety and reliability. Informative campaigns highlighting the benefits of using a certified professional Tradesperson can help to demystify pavement design choices and best practice installation, making the end user feel informed and empowered to make good choices.
The benefits of promoting this new BS 7533-102 flow down through the Trades to the Homeowner and back up the chain to the Merchant, creating a partnership of trust, generating confidence in quality and reliability.
Expanding Market Reach
As more consumers become aware of quality and sustainability benchmarks, Merchants who offer products aligned with the new British Standard can attract a broader customer base. Marketing campaigns that highlight compliance with the standard can drive sales, not only sales to the trades but also to private customers looking to undertake DIY projects.
Strengthening Industry Position
Finally, embracing British Standards allows Builders Merchants to position themselves as leaders in the industry. By taking an active role in the promotion of standards, Merchants can foster relationships with members of Professional Associations which have adopted the standards, with local stakeholders and investors thus enhancing their competitive edge.
In conclusion, promotion of the British Standard for pavement installation creates significant opportunities for Builders Merchants. By taking the initiative in advocating for products that comply with BS 7533-102, Builders Merchants contribute to a culture of excellence in the industry that ultimately benefits everyone involved.
