The ECA reports a significant growth in membership during the past year. Membership now stands at 2637 firms - a growth of 28% since January 2004.

Some of the increase can be attributed to the introduction of Part P certification at the start of 2005. The ECA claims that increased awareness of the benefits of being an ECA member has also contributed to its growth. "The increase validates the work we are doing and the range of business services that we offer," said ECA director David Pollock.