QM ‘on verge of collapse’

Quality Mark is construction minister Nigel Griffiths' biggest failure a year on from his appointment, according to the industry.

Quality Mark has attracted just 53 new members in the past four months, bringing the total number of companies signed up since it was launched in 2001 to 586. A further 644 members are "awaiting accreditation".

Although the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI) has been quick to deny recent press reports that a quarter of the scheme's membership has been lost - blaming incorrect calculations - insiders have told CJ that the scheme appears to be on the "verge of collapse".

"The government has admitted in confidence that no firm decisions have been made on pushing the scheme forward and ministers seem at a loss about how to make Quality Mark work," said one source. "The scheme's shadow ownership group hasn't met for a year and it has all gone very quiet. Some think the scheme is on death row."

A DTI spokesman responded: "Quality Mark is an important initiative that has already had a significant influence in raising standards across the industry.

"The minister's letter to industry bodies in February was part of an exploratory process seeking ways to accelerate take-up of the scheme. This process is actively on-going at the present time."

However, another industry source said they had heard nothing since responding to Griffiths' letter.