How Big Retailers and Regulation Are Changing the Game for Builders’ Merchants

When I first started working with builders’ merchants and manufacturers, most of the conversations about product data were fairly straightforward. The focus was usually on how to improve product information online or how to get new ranges listed a bit quicker.

Fast forward a few years, and the conversation has completely changed. Today, product data compliance has become just as important as customer experience. Regulations like the Plastic Packaging Tax and the Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI) are forcing manufacturers to capture accurate, auditable details. At the same time, major merchants such as Screwfix and B&Q are setting strict standards for the product data they accept.

For both merchants and manufacturers, managing product information isn’t just about efficiency anymore. It’s about meeting compliance requirements, staying competitive, and protecting long-term growth.

“It’s not just about getting products listed faster — it’s about creating the level of trust and confidence that keeps customers coming back.”

How Screwfix and B&Q Set Product Data Standards for Manufacturers and Merchants

Businesses like Screwfix and B&Q are raising the bar for everyone. Screwfix, for example, now generates over 60% of its revenue online. That tells you just how critical strong digital product data has become.

If you’re a manufacturer, you don’t get to decide what level of detail to provide — the big merchants dictate the requirements. If you can’t deliver in the right format, your products simply won’t get listed. I’ve spoken with manufacturers who supply into multiple merchants, and each one has slightly different data requirements. Without structured processes, that turns into a constant cycle of rework.

If you’re a merchant, you feel the pressure in a different way. Competing with those giants means matching the level of information they provide. Tradespeople and end customers now expect detailed specifications, multiple images, sustainability data, and compatibility details. If you can’t meet that expectation, you’ll lose them to a competitor who can.

This is why builders’ merchants need to treat product data as part of their competitive strategy. It’s not just about getting products listed faster — it’s about creating the level of trust and confidence that keeps customers coming back.

CCPI, Plastic Tax, and Digital Product Passport: Product Data Compliance in Construction

Regulation is the other major driver of change, and it’s hitting both sides of the supply chain.

For manufacturers, packaging data is one of the most immediate challenges. Since the Plastic Packaging Tax was introduced, businesses need to know exactly what materials are used, how much plastic content there is, and the weight and dimensions of packaging. This isn’t information you can afford to guess at — errors lead to penalties, and many manufacturers are scrambling to track details they never had to capture before.

Then there’s CCPI. In construction, the Code for Construction Product Information has made accuracy and traceability of data a requirement, not a “nice to have.” After Grenfell, the sector has to demonstrate accountability. That means merchants need reliable data from their suppliers, and manufacturers need to prove their product information is complete, consistent, and up to standard.

And soon, the Digital Product Passport will add another layer. Although it’s still being defined, it’s clear that products will need standardised, structured data available throughout their lifecycle. That’s not just a compliance exercise — it’s a major cultural shift. Manufacturers will need to publish technical and sustainability information in a consistent format, and merchants will need to be able to pass that data on to customers without distortion.

Why Manual Product Data Processes Fail Builders’ Merchants and Manufacturers

The reality is that most merchants and manufacturers are still managing product data manually. Details are buried in spreadsheets, passed around on email, or signed off through informal approval processes.

That approach might have been manageable in the past, but it won’t survive under today’s pressures. Mistakes creep in, launches get delayed, and compliance reporting becomes almost impossible. I’ve seen merchants spend weeks reworking supplier spreadsheets just to meet internal standards, and manufacturers devoting entire teams to updating technical sheets by hand.

Even if you’re not ready to overhaul your systems, you can still make progress by mapping out how your product data flows today. Ask yourself: who owns each piece of information? Where does the most accurate version sit? Where are the bottlenecks? Once you can see the process clearly, the areas for improvement become obvious.

How Builders’ Merchants and Manufacturers Can Prepare for Product Data Compliance

The merchants and manufacturers that are adapting well are the ones who recognise that compliance and competitiveness go hand in hand.

They start by benchmarking their product data against customer and supplier demands. If your biggest account is Screwfix or B&Q, use their requirements as the benchmark. If you can meet their standards, you’ll find most others easier to manage.

They also bring compliance into the core product record. Packaging details, sustainability information, and safety certifications aren’t treated as bolt-ons anymore. They’re captured and managed alongside product specifications, imagery, and descriptions. That way, compliance data is always ready when needed, rather than being chased as a separate task at the last minute.

And they’re clarifying governance. Product data runs across so many teams — marketing, e-commerce, operations, compliance, sales — that without clear ownership, duplication and delays are inevitable. By defining who is responsible for each part of the product record, businesses can avoid bottlenecks and maintain consistency.

Product Data Management as a Growth and Compliance Priority

For builders’ merchants and manufacturers, product data has shifted from a background task to a boardroom issue.

Customers are demanding more. Major merchants are enforcing stricter standards. Regulators are rolling out new requirements with financial and reputational consequences.

Those who get on top of their product data now will be able to launch faster, comply with regulations more easily, and build stronger relationships with suppliers and customers. Those who don’t risk missed listings, fines, and being left behind in a market that’s moving faster than ever.

Product data management is no longer just about efficiency. For merchants and manufacturers, it’s about compliance, competitiveness, and long-term growth.