Donkin valves and mechanical fittings are the first products to be awarded the Gas Industry Standard (GIS) kitemark, confirming that they meet the new UK standards for gas utilities that have superseded the Transco specifications.

The scope of the Donkin accreditation covers standards V7 Part 1 for distribution and construction valves; PL3 self-anchoring mechanical fittings for polyethylene pipe; EVF1 flow limitors; V4 service isolation valves; LC8 Part 4 clamps and tees and F13 end caps.

"In the near future kitemarking will be a compulsory requirement for every company wishing to tender for gas industry frameworks involving the supply of products that are fixed assets, gas-carrying or safety-related," said Aqua-Gas AVK sales director Richard Stone. "The fact that we have demonstrated that our products comply at such an early stage confirms our market-leadership. It is a great boost for us, and reassuring for everyone who buys from us."

Mike Skeemer, product manager - gas, explained how the company had managed to be the first to lay hands on the coveted GIS kitemark certificate: "Preparing the GIS application involved a great deal of work for people at our manufacturing plants in Chesterfield and Hyde, but because we have always been the forerunners in standards, specifications and design we were able to make rapid progress.

"From the accrediting body's perspective, BSI's business sector manager for construction products Chris Lewis pointed out that Donkin's assessment, as well as being the first, also ran particularly smoothly. "It took us just 20 days from receipt of the application to issuing of the kitemark licence, and that included assessment visits to both the manufacturing locations," he said.