Defects scheme to encourage relationships

A new defects insurance scheme promises to be the best practice driver the industry has been waiting for, and could also solve employers' liability insurance problems.

Launched last week by the Construction Manufacturers Partnering Association (Compass), Compassure has been specifically designed to cover proprietary systems from product manufacturers. It provides reputable manufacturers with blanket cover against product and workmanship defects allowing them to supply clients with meaningful system guarantees of 10 years or more.

Available only to chartered Compass members, the benefits of Compassure do not stop at the client. Ron Edmondon, Compass director, said: "The scheme allows main contractors to legitimately transfer risk and it protects specifications generated by architects and others.

"The mandatory control procedures promote the development of true collaborative relationships between suppliers and subcontractors, providing them with a powerful incentive to perform and a real competitive advantage," he said.

The scheme has attracted the interest of the Department of Trade & Industry, which sent its insurance expert Paul Hayward to visit Compass.