New regulator for the construction industry
The Government has announced that the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) is to broaden its remit to include construction products and take on the role of the national regulator for construction products. This is part of a wider set of reforms to address the systemic failings identified by the Hackitt Review.
Under the proposals, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government will retain responsibility for construction products’ policy and OPSS is to operate as a Joint Unit, accountable to MHCLG Ministers for its construction products function. They will work together to ensure a new legal framework sets appropriate and clear safety obligations on businesses supplying construction products. Additionally, the scope of construction product regulations will be extended, subject to appropriate legislation, to cover all products used in building and construction projects, strengthen national and local regulatory enforcement powers and increase national oversight of the whole system.
Due to the need for legislation OPSS is not expected to assume full responsibility for its new role until 2022 but over the cover months, it is expected to be engaging with business, organisations, business and trade associations across the sector.
The full details of the announcement are available here.