ARCHITECTURAL IRONMONGERY
GAI Response to Construction Product Reform Green Paper
The Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 Report presented detailed evidence of a construction products regulatory regime that failed to keep residents safe, and which allowed manufacturers to engage in dishonest and manipulative practices with no recourse. The Inquiry further evidenced the persistent, systemic problems within the construction products sector identified in the Hackitt Review and the Morrell-Day Review.
» THE UK GOVERNMENT HAS NOW formally responded to Sir Martin Moore- Bick’ s Phase 2 Report which drew the Grenfell Inquiry to a close. The most relevant detail within the Government response is the publication of the Construction Products Reform Green Paper. This is a hugely detailed document which sets out their proposals for systemwide reform of the construction products sector, the regulatory regime that governs it and the institutions that must fulfil their responsibilities in assuring safe products that can be safely used.
The GAI has submitted its response to the Green Paper. The comments, summarised below by chapter, reflect input from the GAI Technical Committee, direct responses from GAI members, and consultation with other industry bodies such as the Construction Products Association and the Construction Leadership Council. They also reflect participation in UK Government roundtable discussions on this subject.
Chapter 2: An Overview of the Problems within the construction products sector and regulatory regime.
• The GAI agrees with the Green Paper’ s direction of travel that reform is needed within the construction product sector.
• While acknowledging the robustness of the consensus-based standard development process, the GAI recognises that the EU Construction Products Regulation( CPR’ s) initial focus on removing trade barriers within Europe has led to EN standards that are not always directly related to safety.
• We support extending the scope of harmonised / designated standards but express concern about the resource implications.
• The need for better information on the safe use of products and more robust enforcement is emphasised in our response.
• Examples of good practice within the construction products industry which were highlighted include:
• Guidance and best practice documents from Industry Trade Associations( e. g., the“ Code of Practice for hardware for fire and escape doors” from GAI and DHF).
• Third-party certification schemes.
• Ongoing audit testing of hardware and fire doors.
• Factory Production Control( FPC) for CE and UKCA marking.
• The Code for Construction Product Information( CCPI).
• Companies providing product traceability solutions.
Chapter 3: UK Government Vision for Reform
• In response to what should be considered within the new construction products regulatory regime, the GAI emphasises the importance of considering existing statutory guidance documents, standards, and best practice guidance from industry stakeholders.
• We also highlight potential conflicts between existing guidance and stress the need for coherence between accessibility, fire safety, and security considerations as there are currently occasions within statutory guidance documents that one can conflict with the other.
Chapter 4: Interaction with the UK Internal Market and the European Union
• This chapter sets out the relationship between the United Kingdom( UK) construction products regime and the European Union’ s( EU) regulatory regime, the UK internal market and the substantive reforms being introduced by the EU
• The Guild responds to the proposals by agreeing that the UK should adopt a definition consistent with the revised EU-CPR to avoid problems arising from differing standards.
• We also stress the need for a level playing field for UK Conformity Assessment Bodies( CABs) and Technical Assessment Bodies( TABs) through a mutual recognition agreement with Europe.
Chapter 5: Scope and Definitions of Reform
• This chapter describes the definitions the UK government propose adopting to underpin the future regulatory regime.
• In our response the GAI supports clarity on accountability for safety, particularly regarding systems. While product standards exist, poor installation of fire doors is a concern. Better regulatory requirements for competence in fire door installation are needed, and third-party certification should be mandatory.
> Continues on next page...
42
JULY 2025
locksmithjournal. co. uk Issue Takeover