“ It is clear that enforcement of the existing Construction Products Regulations , as undertaken by local authorities ’ trading standards departments since 1991 , has been ineffective due to a lack of resources and specific training ,” explains Michael Skelding , DHF ’ s General Manager and Secretary . “ The report “ Testing for a Safer Future ” confirms this . The direct involvement of

OPSS , acting under DLUHC , should improve the effectiveness of enforcement and potentially affect all manufacturers of construction products .”

In October 2022 , the White Paper on Construction Products Competence ( CPC ) was published by WG 12 of the Competence Steering Group ( CSG ); it has been widely supported throughout the construction products supply chain . As a result , in January 2023 , BSI Committee CPB / 1 established a new project to create a Code of Practice for Core Criteria for Construction Products Competence . The standard is expected to describe five levels of core criteria that should be achieved , demonstrated , and maintained by all individuals making choices concerning construction products at all levels in the built environment sector . It is intended to be used , in conjunction with BS 8670 , by all industries in the built environment sector to map against their existing training and qualifications .

On 23rd January 2023 , The Fire Safety ( England ) Regulations 2022 , made under Article 24 of the Fire Safety Order 2005 , came into force . These impose additional duties

on the responsible persons in residential buildings of multiple occupancy ( BMO ). In buildings taller than 11 metres , the new regulations require quarterly checks on fire doors in communal areas and annual checks on flat entrance doors . The following month saw the first meeting of the new Building Advisory Committee , chaired by Peter Baker , Chief Inspector of Buildings , and head of the Building Safety Regulator ( BSR ) in HSE .

Michael says : “ According to government : the Building Safety Regulator ’ s approach to formal enforcement and sanctions will serve the public interest and will be undertaken in a fair , equitable and consistent manner , targeting , and taking firm action against those who repeatedly offend , act irresponsibly , or whose actions could cause serious harm .”

In April of this year , an independent review of the construction product testing regime ( a follow-up to Dame Judith Hackitt ’ s report “ Building a Safer Future ”) was published . Named “ Testing for a Safer Future ”, the review identifies potential weaknesses in the system and makes recommendations for improvement .

“ We are yet to receive a response from UK Government . This could affect the existing intentions for conformity marking of construction products and safety critical products ; the official response will be important as it will affect testing and certification requirements for manufacturers of construction products ,” explains Michael .

“ Looking ahead , we expect the Grenfell Inquiry Phase 2 Final Report , as well as legislation on competence requirements ( provided for in Part 3 of the Building Safety Act 2022 ) which will potentially affect any building activity subject to building regulations approval in England . In addition , the Golden Thread of information : Part 3 of the Building Safety Act Amends the Building Act 1984 to allow building regulations to make provisions regarding creating , obtaining , storing , and transmitting information and documents . Part 4 imposes duties on Accountable Persons to manage such information and documents , subject to regulations to be made by the Secretary of State for Levelling Up , Housing and Communities .”

www . dhfonline . org . uk

84 SEPTEMBER 2023

CLEARVIEW-UK . COM