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ARTICLE · 23 FEBRUARY 2021

Building Products Regulator With Teeth

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James Morris considers the remit and powers of the new construction products regulator in the UK.

United KingdomReal Estate and Construction
James Morris
James Morris
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Will the new regulator have the teeth it needs? And what about product testing?

A new construction products national regulator is imminent. Housing minister Robert Jenrick announced the new tsar's creation following what he described as "deeply disturbing allegations of malpractice by some construction product manufacturers and their employees, and of the weaknesses of the present product testing regime" in evidence given to the Grenfell inquiry.

The regulator is to have strong enforcement powers, including the power to remove any product from the market presenting a significant safety risk, to prosecute any companies not complying with product safety rules, and to conduct its own product-testing when investigating concerns. Businesses must ensure their products are safe before being sold, in addition to testing products against safety standards.

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