Overall, remediation works have either started or been completed at 2,502 buildings (ie 48%). Of these, remediation work is completed at 1,780 buildings (34%). This includes remediation progress on high-rise (18 metres-plus) and mid-rise (11-18 metres) structures.

Of the 511 high-rise (ie 18 metres and over in height) residential and publicly owned buildings complete with ACM cladding systems unlikely to meet the standard laid out in the Building Regulations, remediation work has either begun or is now completed at 497 (97%) of them. That represents no change since the end of June.

Of these, ACM remediation work has been completed at 460 buildings (ie 90%). This includes those premises awaiting Building Control sign-off. That’s an increase of three since the end of June. There are 14 buildings where ACM remediation work is yet to start.

As at 31 July, 782 buildings of 11 metres and over in height have been assessed as being eligible for the Cladding Safety Scheme (including 170 buildings that have transferred from the Building Safety Fund): an increase of 29 since the end of June. Of these, the teams at 142 buildings (18%) have either started or completed remediation works.

Cladding Safety Scheme

The Cladding Safety Scheme continues to investigate and pull in potentially eligible buildings. There are a further 4,261 buildings of 11 metres and over in height in the pre-eligible stages of the Cladding Safety Scheme, which launched in full back in July 2023. Of these, 289 buildings are progressing through eligibility checks and 3,972 buildings find themselves in the pre-application stage.

As at 31 July, 2,026 buildings of 11 metres and over in height have been identified as having life-critical fire safety defects (including cladding and non-cladding defects) which developers have committed to remediate or otherwise pay to remediate (where the cladding remediation works are being carried out in a Government-funded remediation programme).

Of these, developers have reported that remediation work has either commenced or finished at 997 (49%) of them. That represents no change since the figures reported in the June data release. Of these, it’s reported that remediation works have completed at 516 (ie 25% of buildings). Again, that’s no change since the June data release.

When excluding buildings reported as having only non-cladding defects, there are 1,527 buildings which developers have reported as having unsafe cladding. Of those buildings, remediation work has either begun or is now completed at 824 (54%), including 448 (ie 29% of buildings) where remediation works are reported to have been completed.

Photograph: West Midlands Fire Service/Business Sprinkler Alliance

With no sprinkler systems in place, the fire on 29 July rapidly spread across approximately 4,400 m² of industrial space on Great Bridge Street, duly requiring the attendance of 17 fire engines and over 100 firefighters from the West Midlands and Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Services who were deployed to control the blaze, drawing water from a nearby canal to support the firefighting effort.

Roads around the site were closed to allow access for Emergency Services vehicles, causing delays and congestion for drivers and local businesses. Several nearby homes had to be evacuated.

The affected buildings are located on a densely occupied industrial estate, which is home to a variety of manufacturing and logistics businesses. While no casualties were reported, the fire displaced tenants, interrupted operations and is likely to result in significant business downtime. For some companies, this could result in lost revenue, missed deliveries and costly delays in production.

Beyond the immediate commercial damage, the fire raised serious concerns over air quality as acrid black smoke from the burning tyres drifted over surrounding residential areas. Local residents were advised to keep windows and doors shut, while air monitoring was actioned by the environmental authorities. There are growing calls for a review of fire safety practices on industrial estates storing high-risk materials.

Counting the cost

“This is yet another example of how quickly a fire can escalate in the absence of automatic sprinkler systems and require a huge deployment of resources,” said Tom Roche, secretary of the Business Sprinkler Alliance. “Four businesses are now left counting the cost of a fire that could have been controlled in its early stages.”

Fires on this scale carry long-term consequences. Beyond the damage to buildings and equipment, there are potential costs linked to site clearance, environmental remediation and future regeneration. For local authorities and business owners alike, the path to recovery can be lengthy and expensive.

Once again, it’s apparent that commercial buildings with no sprinkler protection are suffering catastrophic fires that put lives, livelihoods and Emergency Services personnel at risk.

The outcome could have been very different. When sprinklers are installed, fires are typically contained or extinguished before they can cause major damage.

Questions asked

With the scale of this latest incident now under review, questions are being asked. How many more fires like this one will it take before automatic fire suppression becomes a standard expectation, not an afterthought?

The smoke has now cleared over Great Bridge Street. The message remains equally clear. Sprinklers save property, protect people and support business continuity. Without them, industrial fires continue to burn through more than just bricks and mortar.

*Further information is available online at www.business-sprinkler-alliance.org

The NFCC is urging the Government to protect Fire and Rescue Service funding in real terms and not to rely on council tax rises to plug any gaps, suggesting that even if all Fire and Rescue Authorities were willing and able to put up their precept by the maximum £5 per annum, it would not offset the cuts in full when factoring-in the expected rate of inflation and legitimate rises in staff pay.

The NFCC states that changes proposed as part of the Government’s Spending Review are predicted to result in cuts of over £100 million based on preliminary modelling. The reduction in Government grant funding, combined with proposed changes to how that money is distributed to local Fire and Rescue Services through the local Government finance settlement, would “significantly weaken” the Fire and Rescue sector, placing lives – particularly those in deprived communities – at risk.

The warning comes as the Government moves to determine how funding from the recently announced Spending Review will be allocated to Fire and Rescue Services and as it concludes a consultation on proposed changes to how it distributes local Government funding as part of the Fair Funding Review 2.0.

Independent modelling commissioned by the NFCC shows that the anticipated changes could result in a real-terms cut in grant funding of £102 million for standalone Fire and Rescue Authorities over the next three years. That’s the equivalent of losing approximately 1,500 wholetime firefighter posts and would deliver “a devastating blow” to an already under pressure Emergency Service.

The modelling also shows that, when London and county services are included, this figure could rise to 2,300 firefighters.

Unenviable task

NFCC chair Phil Garrigan commented: “I do recognise the Government has the unenviable task of balancing public finances and faces really tough choices when it comes to funding local services, but we have to confront how precarious a position Fire and Rescue Services finances find themselves in right now.”

Garrigan continued: “If I did not speak up, I would be letting down the Fire and Rescue Service and, more importantly, the people whom we serve. I would also be letting the Government down as I would be allowing decisions to be made without highlighting the real and legitimate concerns we have: concerns for the public and concerns for the safety of our firefighters who risk their lives every day of the week.”

Further, Garrigan noted: “Fire and Rescue Services cannot continue to be expected to deliver more with less. We are already seeing demand rising, risks evolving and our remit expanding – from tackling the effects of climate change through to responding to increased blue light collaboration – all at a time when firefighter numbers have fallen sharply.”

According to Garrigan: “A failure to recognise these burdens and to forge ahead with the funding proposals as they stand would be incomprehensible. The safety of our communities depends on a funding settlement that matches the reality on the ground and ensures we have the people, equipment and capability to protect the public. We can no longer just roll up our sleeves and carry on. Any silence on this matter will put lives at risk. We cannot allow our Fire and Rescue Service to become the forgotten Emergency Service.”

Population-based change

Fire and Rescue Services are projected to receive 4.3% of the total funding allocation for local Government, which is down from 4.9%.

The NFCC suggests that the impact of these cuts will be exacerbated by changes made to how the money is distributed through the Fair Funding Review 2.0, which will change how the reduced fire total will be shared between individual Fire and Rescue Authorities.

Under the new approach, population figures will have a significant impact when it comes to determining local allocations. While the population is rising across the country, the Government has chosen not to increase the overall national funding available for Fire and Rescue Services.

According to NFCC analysis, this population-based change will result in a substantial redistribution of existing funds, with “big winners and big losers”. Areas experiencing faster population growth are set to receive a larger share of the smaller funding pot, while those with slower growth could see further reductions – even if they face higher levels of risk, such as chemical sites and high-rise buildings often combined with heightened levels of deprivation.

Fire chiefs are urging the Government not to rely on local increases in council tax to offset cuts. While standalone Fire and Rescue Authorities are expected to be able to raise their precept by up to £5 per annum for a Band D property, combined with the reallocation of funding under the review process, core spending power for many Fire and Rescue Services will not keep pace with inflation or, in some cases, be frozen entirely.

Local political governance

The NFCC is concerned that the uplift is also dependent on local political governance and is not a ‘given’. In areas unable to secure such increases, Fire and Rescue Services will face real-term funding cuts.

The threat of further cuts comes at a time when the demands placed on Fire and Rescue Services are increasing and firefighter numbers have fallen significantly. Data from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government shows that Fire and Rescue Services in England responded to 600,185 incidents in total last year: an increase of 100,000 (20%) compared to a decade ago (2014).

Meanwhile, firefighter numbers in England are down by 25% since 2008: the equivalent of 11,000 wholetime firefighters.

The NFCC is calling for the following measures to be put in place:

*funding for Fire and Rescue Services to be protected in real terms

*uncapped council tax flexibility for all Fire and Rescue Authorities, allowing local consultation on necessary increases without costly referendums and consistency in the precept flexibility available to all Authorities

*Fire and Rescue Service funding to be removed from the Fair Funding Review until a risk-based model is developed in collaboration with the sector

*a dedicated funding system for Fire and Rescue Services comparable to policing and recognising its national resilience role

*a full risk analysis before any funding formula changes are made, ensuring that no Fire and Rescue Service faces large and destabilising funding shocks

The opening of the UK REACH consultation links to the publication of the Annex 15 restriction report, which presents the HSE’s scientific analysis and evidence base for potential restrictions on PFAS use in firefighting foams in Great Britain.

The consultation provides an opportunity for those who use foams from industry – and other stakeholders, such as Trade Associations – to comment on the proposals before the opinions are made and sent to the Defra Secretary of State as well as the Scottish and Welsh Governments for a decision on whether to bring a restriction into law.

Dr Richard Daniels, director of the Chemicals Regulation Division at the HSE, said: “The HSE’s proposals have been developed through robust scientific methodology and, where possible, we have spoken with interested parties from across Great Britain. Now, we are looking for more information from our stakeholders. We’re seeking evidence-based feedback on our analysis to ensure that any future restrictions are proportionate, effective and tailored to Great Britain’s specific needs.”

This work takes forward the recommendation from the HSE’s analysis in 2023 that PFAS in firefighting foams are prioritised for action ahead of other uses of PFAS given that firefighting foams are one of the largest sources of direct releases to the environment.

The consultation runs until 18 February 2026. Full details, including the restriction report and supporting documents, are available online.

The HSE has also published a Q&A document (PDF) to help stakeholders understand the scope and limitations of the consultation.

On 15 August, Kirkbride appeared at Preston Crown Court and was sentenced to 16 months’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, and 200 hours of unpaid work. He was also banned from being a company director for five years.

An investigation conducted by the Environment Agency revealed that thousands of tonnes of combustible waste had been stored in breach of permit conditions, with operations continuing even after a suspension notice was issued.

The abandoned waste led to a major fire at the premises in December 2023, which caused significant disruption to neighbouring businesses and left firefighting and clean-up costs totalling over £2 million.

Large quantities of combustible waste were stored far in excess of the 500-tonne, seven-day limit set in the site’s environmental permit.

Ignored orders

In February 2022, the Environment Agency suspended the site’s permit because of the significant fire risk, but waste imports continued until April 2022 and then under a second company until October of that year.

The site’s permit was revoked by the Environment Agency in November 2022.

Between September 2021 and October 2022, Kirkbride (as a company director) was found to have deliberately breached environmental permit limits, operated unpermitted waste sites, repeatedly failed to comply with Enforcement Notices and deposited waste without the necessary authorisations.

Further offences involve waste storage breaches at Unit C4 and the illegal use of Unit C3, which had no permit in place.

“Distress and destruction”

An Environment Agency spokesperson said: “Illegal waste activity and breaches of environmental permits put communities, businesses and the environment at serious risk.”

The spokesperson continued: “The defendant repeatedly and deliberately ignored environmental law and defied enforcement action by continuing to breach the law with no consideration for the environment or the community of Lancaster.”

In addition, the spokesperson noted: “Kirkbride’s actions led to a major fire that ultimately caused weeks of harm and disruption to local residents and businesses. The costs involved to resolve and clear everything at the site were borne by the Emergency Services and multi-agency partners including the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service and Lancaster City Council.”

The statement concludes: “Waste criminals cause distress to our communities and can destroy the environment. This case demonstrates that we will continue to pursue and take robust action against anyone operating outside the law.”

Guilty pleas

Kirkbride pleaded guilty to four counts of the offence of depositing controlled waste at Unit 37 on the Lune Industrial Estate without an environmental permit, contrary to Section 33(1)(a) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

He also pleaded guilty to three counts of the offence of breaching conditions under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 relating to the operation of waste sites at Units C3 and C4 on the Lune Industrial Estate.

This British Standard supports the professionalisation of fire risk assessors by establishing three defined levels of competence – ie Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced (more of which anon) – in order to reflect the complexity and degree of risk associated with different building types and occupancy levels.

The document doesn’t outline the fire risk assessment process itself (which is addressed in standards including PAS 79-1 and BS 9792), but instead focuses on what knowledge, experience and behaviours an individual must harbour in order to be deemed competent to carry out such assessments on an effective basis.

BS 8674:2025 Built Environment – Framework for Competence of Individual Fire Risk Assessors – Code of Practice is intended for a wide range of stakeholders across the built environment as follows:

*individual fire risk assessors who need to demonstrate and maintain competence

*‘Responsible Persons’ under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and Building Safety Act 2022 who are legally obligated to ensure those whom they appoint to conduct risk assessments are competent to do so

*employers, duty holders and building owners/managers seeking assurance that assessments are being carried out by qualified professionals

*certification and accreditation bodies assessing individuals against competency benchmarks

*training providers and academic institutions developing curricula to prepare assessors for real-world demands

*professional bodies and Trade Associations that want to ensure their members meet recognised industry standards

BS 8674:2025 is applicable across multiple sectors, including the residential and commercial arenas, public venues, care homes, education and healthcare facilities. According to the BSI: “Anywhere that fire safety and building occupancy intersect.”

Assessing individual competence

BS 8674:2025 provides recommendations for assessing individual competence in undertaking general fire risk assessments for life safety purposes in occupied buildings. Specifically, it covers:

*a competency framework for non-invasive (ie visual and non-destructive) fire risk assessments

*the interpretation and use of relevant building records and historical fire safety documentation

*criteria aligned with BS 8670-1:2024 focusing on life safety measures within buildings

*as stated, performance expectations across three defined levels of competence

Foundation (appropriate for new entrants to the discipline who are assessing simple, low-risk buildings such as small offices or shops with minimal occupancy)

Intermediate (aimed at assessors tasked with looking at buildings of moderate complexity and broader usage types including public venues or mid-rise residential properties)

Advanced (intended for highly experienced professionals working on high-risk and complex environments such as large residential tower blocks, care facilities and public entertainment venues)

The scope of this British Standard is limited to individual competence and does not extend to invasive or destructive inspections that may be required for more detailed evaluations. It also excludes fire engineering activities and the design of specialised fire safety systems.

Additionally, the British Standard does not address the competence of organisations, nor does it provide criteria for performing conformity audits or compliance assessments related to building design or maintenance procedures.

For clarity, another area outside of its scope is the fire risk appraisal of external wall constructions, which is comprehensively covered in PAS 9980.

Legal compliance

Importantly, BS 8674:2025 supports legal compliance with the Building Safety Act 2022, which requires individuals appointed to carry out fire risk assessments to be competent in that task.

The document provides measurable and verifiable benchmarks for competence, helping to reduce risk and ensure quality and consistency in fire risk assessments. Further, it enhances public safety by ensuring that fire risk assessments are conducted by individuals with the necessary training, knowledge and experience.

What’s more, BS 8674:2025 helps to develop career pathways and recognition for fire risk assessors by aligning their skills with industry-recognised standards. It assists organisations in selecting, contracting and auditing fire risk assessors based on an objective framework, while also building trust among residents, clients and enforcement authorities alike that fire safety is being managed both competently and professionally.

Ultimately, BS 8674:2025 contributes to a safer built environment by reducing the variability in assessor qualifications and elevating the standards of fire risk assessments across the industry. It supports consistent practice and career development and lays the foundation for the profession’s future regulation.

Critical juncture

The move comes at a critical juncture as the Fire Safety Act 2021, the Building Safety Act 2022 and the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 continue to reshape the construction and fire safety landscapes.

The Government has previously signalled its intention to require independent third party certification of fire risk assessor competence, further reinforcing the likelihood of a regulated profession in times hence.

Alex Norris (Minister for Building Safety and Fire) has welcomed the British Standard’s publication, stating: “The introduction of BS 8674:2025 marks a significant step forward in the collective effort to make buildings safer for residents. By improving safety and accountability, it helps to ensure that a tragedy like Grenfell Tower is never going to be repeated. It also reflects a clear commitment to implementing the Public Inquiry’s recommendations.”

Norris concluded: “A clear and consistent benchmark for fire risk assessors will help to raise standards of competency across the profession. I’m grateful to the British Standards Institution and all of the Technical Committee members who’ve been involved in making this happen.”

In collaboration with regulators, Government and industry stakeholders, a Fire Sector Confederation-led Working Group played a key role in shaping BS 8674, which follows on from years of work to raise professional standards and support the need to build capacity and capability within the fire risk assessor profession.

Dennis Davis, competence director at the Fire Sector Confederation, concluded: “The publication of BS 8674 is a significant achievement for the profession and a vital step in the right direction towards building a safer future. It affords all stakeholders confidence that competence can now be clearly demonstrated against a professional framework for independent verification.”

*Copies of BS 8674:2025 are available on the BSI’s website

The guidance has been revised in light of Government concerns regarding a misunderstanding of the scope and intent of the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, which has resulted in burdens on leaseholders (who’ve been advised to replace flat entrance doors that were not manufactured, and certificated, in accordance with current standards for new fire-resisting doors).

For the avoidance of doubt, the Government has clearly stated that the purpose of the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 is not to ensure that existing flat entrance doors satisfy the current standards for flat entrance doors in new blocks of flats, as imposed under the Building Regulations.

Rather, the purpose of the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 is to implement the recommendations of the Public Inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire which, quite correctly, emphasised the importance that flat entrance doors must be effectively self-closing.

Changes in legislation

Changes in legislation – particularly so the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (as amended) – following the Grenfell Tower fire have not resulted in any material changes to the fire performance required of flat entrance doors in existing blocks of flats. As has been the case since the Fire Safety Order first came into force, the requirement is that the fire performance of the door is adequate to address the risk posed to residents from fire.

In the majority of circumstances, it’s expected that a door satisfying the standards for a fire-resisting flat entrance door at the time the block was built, or when the door was manufactured, will continue to provide adequate protection for means of escape in common parts of the block, provided the door is undamaged and that gaps between the door and the frame are not too large.

The absence of intumescent strips and smoke seals, and the absence of any form of certification for a fire door, does not imply that the door is unfit for purpose.

In this connection, it’s important to understand the difference between a fire risk assessment carried out in pursuance of compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order, in which the fire resistance of the doors will be considered, and the very simple (but important) checks required under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022.

Revised wording

The revised wording can be found in Section 2.4, which relates to the responsibilities of the ‘Responsible Person’ under Regulation 10 of the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, Section 6.7 (focused on elements to be considered when carrying out fire door inspection and checks) and also the summary box at the end of the guidance.

The update to the checklist relating to a given fire door’s intumescent strips and seals states: “The door may be acceptable, on the basis of fire risk, even if intumescent strips and smoke seals are not present (because the door was manufactured in accordance with earlier standards). The purpose of this check is to ensure only that, if these components are present, they are undamaged.”

*Read Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022: Fire Door Guidance online

Following implementation of the Building Safety Act 2022, the Building Safety Regulator will now inspect all Building Control teams over the next four years. The audits will ensure that Building Control bodies are meeting the requirements set out within legislation and associated guidance.

Local authorities can now access two new LABC self-assessment templates that have been created to assist Building Control teams in reviewing their own systems and controls in advance of their audit. These templates have been added to the existing LABC portfolio of management and audit support tools, which includes a Quality Management System (QMS), a technical guidance document library and access to more detailed consultancy reviews.

To date, 95% of public service Building Control teams in England and Wales have adopted the LABC QMS, while 32 have commissioned individual formal service reviews.

Commitment to continuous improvement

Lorna Stimpson, CEO of LABC, said: “Public sector Building Control departments are looking forward to engaging with the Building Safety Regulator and demonstrating their commitment to continuous improvement. LABC’s package of support will help our members ensure they have the right documentation to hand and the correct processes in place so that they can feel confident ahead of their inspection. This is all part of the Building Control industry demonstrating that it’s taking responsibility for its role in building safety and driving Best Practice at every stage.”

The LABC QMS is independently audited by the British Standards Institution and the LABC standards team. The ISO 9001 framework sets the standards and performance required of local authority Building Control and identifies Best Practice. It also includes detailed legislative process maps to ensure consistent interpretation across local authority teams.

*Further information is available online at www.labc.co,uk

There are already technology-focused Working Groups within the FIA, such as the Internet of Things Working Group and the Cyber Security Working Group, which are well attended. There’s a feeling that the FIA now needs to move towards forming an FIA Council of 15 members to represent the views of FIA members, work closely with key stakeholders and help define the future of technology in fire safety systems and all associated services.

Initial thoughts are for Council to guide the FIA and its members in adopting and developing technologies that foster universal access to real-time data, the seamless integration of systems, data-driven action, instant communication, enhanced collaboration, empowered learning and collaborative understanding in the fire safety sector.

Key objectives

Promote universal access

Advocate for solutions that ensure every business, regardless of size or technological maturity, has access to real-time site data and critical fire safety information

Drive seamless integration

Facilitate the development and adoption of interoperable technologies and platforms that enable effortless data sharing and communication between devices and systems

Enable data-driven action

Champion the integration of Internet of Things devices with systems that trigger real-life actions, ensuring that alerts and notifications translate into effective risk reduction

Foster instant communication

Support the implementation of real-time communication tools and platforms that minimise latency and maximise clarity among stakeholders

Enhance virtual collaboration

Promote the use of virtual collaboration tools that enable productive teamwork regardless of physical location

Empower learning

Develop platforms and resources that provide access to Best Practice and knowledge, democratising expertise across all skill levels

Cultivate collaborative understanding

Encourage the use of technology to foster cultural exchange, understanding and stronger relationships between clients and providers

Key initiatives

Standards development

Collaborate with relevant bodies to develop and promote open standards for data exchange and system interoperability in the fire safety industry

Technology evaluation

Assess and recommend emerging technologies that can enhance fire safety practices

Education and training

Provide educational resources and training programmes for FIA members on the use of new technologies

Pilot programmes

Initiate and oversee pilot programmes to test and validate innovative technology solutions

Cyber security guidance

Develop Best Practice and guidelines for cyber security to protect data and systems within the fire safety ecosystem

Advocacy

Represent the FIA and its members in discussions with regulators and policymakers on technology-related issues

Benefits for FIA members

Safer built environment

Proactive risk reduction through dynamic stakeholder action

Increased efficiency

Streamlined processes and reduced operational costs

Enhanced innovation

Fostering a culture of technological advancement within the industry

Improved collaboration

Stronger relationships and better communication among stakeholders

Market and thought leadership

Positioning FIA members at the forefront of technological adoption in fire safety

What happens next?

The FIA’s new Technology Council will be formed in September. The first course of duty at the inaugural meeting will be to nominate a chair from those who are voted in.

Anyone who’s not an FIA member as yet and wishes to help shape the future of technology in the fire safety industry should e-mail [email protected] to join the 1,200 existing members.

*Further information is available online at www.fia.uk.com

The new document includes examples and Case Studies to signpost industry Best Practice (such as the Code for Construction Product Information).  

Paul Nash, chair of the CIOB’s Quality Implementation Group, said: “The Public Inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire exposed a construction product regulatory regime that was failing to ensure the products used in buildings, whether separately or as part of a system, were safe.”   

Nash continued: “Following on from the findings of the Building a Safer Future report and the Independent Review of Product Testing and Certification, the Public Inquiry recommended that further action was needed to better regulate the manufacturing, testing and supply of products in the UK.”  

Further, Nash observed: “In February this year, the Government published a Construction Product Reform Green Paper that sets out its proposals to deliver a system that guarantees safe products and that they will be safely used.”

Safety first   

It’s against this backdrop that the CIOB, together with other professional bodies, has developed the Guide to Products Critical to Safe Construction to ensure the buildings created, and the products used in those buildings, are safe for those who use them, both now and in the future.

The Guide to Products Critical to Safe Construction was published in collaboration with the Construction Products Association, the Code for Construction Product Information, the Institution of Structural Engineers and Royal Institute of British Architects.

Duncan Johnson, deputy director for construction products regulation at the Office for Product Safety and Standards, affirmed: “I welcome the collaborative efforts behind this document, which brings together expertise from across the built environment sector to support safe and compliant construction, underpinned by clarity and consistency in product information. It contributes to raising standards and improving safety across the construction industry.”