As part of the response to the Grenfell Inquiry Report, Government is conducting a review into the Construction Products Regime. The context is described below:
Recommendation 1
That the government draw together under a single regulator all the functions relating to the construction industry to which we have referred. (113.6)
The government accepts this recommendation in principle.
The single regulator will deliver the functions specified in the report with two exceptions. We do not believe it is appropriate for the single regulator to undertake testing and certification of construction products, or issue certificates of compliance, as this would create a new conflict of interest within the regulator. Instead, we will strengthen oversight of Conformity Assessment Bodies through reforms to the construction products regime.
Implementation will start immediately, beginning with work to support the existing regulatory regime as the foundation to moving towards greater consolidation. We are also publishing a construction products green paper alongside this response which sets out our proposals for reform of the construction products regulatory regime and will inform the implementation of this recommendation.
We will publish a Regulatory Reform Prospectus and consultation on the design of the single regulator later this year before bringing forward the necessary legislation to establish it later in the Parliament.
We will go further than the Inquiry’s recommendation by consulting on strengthening the investigation of serious building safety incidents. We will examine all options for going further to ensure serious incidents are investigated quickly and transparently, including a standalone organisation to provide an additional point of insight, evidence and challenge.
Details of the Green Paper are available here – Construction Products Reform Green Paper – GOV.UK
This paper details plans to increase the oversight of testing and conformity assessment bodies, third party product certification schemes and the role of the general product safety regulations in governing construction products not covered by an existing designated standard. The Green Paper also sets in place a consultation process which will last until 21st May 2025.
We would encourage members to respond to the consultation following this link. FIS will be preparing a sectoral response, so do please feed any comments in or or contact jamesparlour@thefis.org to discuss so that FIS can capture your points in thiis response.
Details of the Government Response to the Grenfell Inquiry published on the 26th February 2025 are available here.
