SpecStudio Joins Industry Experts to Discuss Construction Product Regulation

Bryan Cowey, Specification Consultant / BIM Co-ordinator, was honoured to be invited by the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) to participate in a round table discussion hosted by netMAGmedia Group. The event, titled “Round Table Identifies Industry Shortcomings on Adapting to the New Product Regulation Regime, Post-Building Safety Act”, took place at the Institute of Directors (IoD) headquarters in Pall Mall, London.

The discussion brought together key stakeholders from across the construction industry, including directors from Waites and Keir and Paul Morrell, former Chief Advisor to the Government for Construction. The focus was on navigating the evolving construction product regulations and addressing challenges within the post-Building Safety Act landscape.

Key Topics Discussed

The round table was split into two sessions, covering critical issues such as:

1. The Construction Products Regulation (CPR) Post-Brexit

Evaluating the success and challenges of the Construction Products Regulation (CPR) in the UK.

Understanding the UK’s position on product compliance and certification following Brexit.

2. Standardised Testing and Certification

Should there be a central authority to oversee testing and certifications, ensuring third-party validation?

The role of the Government vs. industry in testing and certifying construction products.

Reviewing the impact of privatised testing and certification bodies (such as BRE and NHBC) and the potential benefits of nationalised alternatives.

3. Addressing UKCA Marking Challenges

Who holds the UKCA mark in the case of composite products?

Identifying organisations responsible for overseeing compliance.

4. Enhancing Product Transparency and Lifecycle Assessments

Improving Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and cradle-to-cradle assessments for better material transparency.

Maximising the impact of the Golden Thread approach through the new Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI).

5. Testing Systems vs. Individual Products

The potential advantages of testing full systems and buildups rather than individual materials.

Examining the validity of Desktop Studies without third-party oversight, as questioned by RIBA.

Our Key Takeaways: Raising Industry Standards

The round table discussion provided valuable insights into how Main Contractors are adapting to new regulations, particularly in relation to facade testing and fire safety compliance. A significant challenge highlighted was the inconsistencies in testing standards, which Tier One contractors are working to address.

A unanimous conclusion from the session was the need to enhance skills and standardisation within smaller construction companies. By upskilling the industry and ensuring that certificates and Declarations of Performance (DoP) are precise and transparent, we as designers and specifiers can confidently rely on product information.

Moving Forward

As the construction industry continues to adapt to post-Building Safety Act regulations, Bryan Cowey and the team at SpecStudio remain committed to staying at the forefront of regulatory compliance, product specification, and testing best practices. Collaboration between contractors, manufacturers, and regulatory bodies will be key to creating a safer, more transparent built environment.

For further insights on construction product compliance and industry best practices, check out netMagMedia’s coverage of this article on their LinkedIn page. You can also stay updated with the latest industry discussions on our news page.