In the wake of the Grenfell recommendations, the government has made several proposals to crackdown on unsafe or unregulated building products
A new White Paper to ensure use of stronger building products has been published.
The proposals aim to create safer buildings and projects, with fewer weaknesses.
All products must go through an assessment
At present, only around a third of construction products are assessed, but if new regulations are put in place, then all products will need to be checked.
The White Paper has been published alongside the first annual report on implementing the Grenfell Inquiry recommendations, tracking the progress made on the 12 recommendations to include fire safety in buildings.
It is expected that 70% of the recommendations will be completed by the end of this year.
Housing secretary, Steve Reed, said: “The Grenfell fire was a tragedy that must never be repeated.
“Everyone should feel safe in their home. We are making progress implementing the Inquiry recommendations, but there is more to do as we continue to learn and act on the mistakes of the past.”
Minister for building safety, fire and democracy, Samantha Dixon, said: “We will never forget the tragedy of Grenfell and will continue working with the local community, industry and local authorities to deliver safer homes and lasting change.
“The failings outlined by the inquiry exposed fundamental issues in product, building and fire safety standards and through the Construction Products White Paper and our work to implement all the recommendations of the inquiry, we will create a better system for millions of people across the country.”
The annual report can be found here, while the White Paper can be found here.
Architects will also keep implementing Grenfell recommendations
Earlier this month, the Architect’s Registration Board (ARB) released its new five-year strategy, which both maintains the ambitions of the previous strategy while also continuing to improve safety standards.
The strategy has four key targets, as follows:
1. Raise standards of future architects
- The new education and training framework will be fully embedded, improving access to the profession and ensuring that all those who enter it are competent to practise.
2. Drive competence across the profession
- Use evidence and data to evaluate and enhance the impact of its new statutory continuing professional development (CPD) scheme, raising competence across the profession.
- Work collaboratively across the built environment sector to improve workplace culture, address discrimination and sexual misconduct, and ensure professional standards are understood and upheld.
- Make improvements to investigations and enforcement processes to ensure that those who fall below required standards are dealt with efficiently and proportionately.
3. Improve culture and behaviour
- Set clearer standards and accountability for the profession, and particularly for those in leadership roles.
- Take robust action on discrimination, sexual misconduct and unprofessionalism.
4. Deliver modern, effective and efficient regulation
- Harness new digital and emerging technologies to improve efficiency, transparency and accessibility.
- Review its regulatory framework to make sure it remains effective at delivering in the public interest.
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