VEKA plc has achieved accreditation from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) for its new Continuing Professional Development (CPD) seminar, “Compliance vs Performance: Navigating Regulatory and Performance Challenges in Fenestration.” The programme is designed to support architects and specifiers in balancing regulatory compliance, building performance and design intent when specifying PVC-U windows and doors.

Developed in response to feedback from architectural practices, the CPD addresses a common challenge across the construction sector: selecting and documenting fenestration systems that satisfy multiple performance requirements simultaneously. These include thermal efficiency, fire safety, security, inclusive access and architectural aesthetics, areas that increasingly influence project approvals and specification decisions.

The seminar focuses on improving clarity around performance data, particularly where values vary depending on product configuration. By explaining how figures are derived and how they should be compared, the CPD helps specifiers make like-for-like assessments during tender stages and simplifies the approval process. The aim is to help architects reduce risk, improve documentation quality and maintain project momentum while meeting evolving regulatory expectations.

The CPD has been developed and is delivered by Tim James, National Specification Manager at VEKA, drawing on his experience supporting architectural practices with compliance-led specification. According to the company, the seminar provides practical examples and clear guidance, enabling specifiers to make confident, evidence-based decisions while maintaining design intent.

RIBA accreditation means the seminar contributes towards architects’ mandatory CPD hours, offering recognised professional endorsement and reinforcing the importance of structured, technical learning within the specification process.