The landscape of the construction industry is constantly changing and it’s important to know how and where you can help shape that change. Here, Richard Sellman, BFRC managing director, gives an Approved Body point of view on the latest documents in consultation and how these could impact glass, window and door manufacturers going forward.

We’ve raised the subject of the publication of the Single Construction Regulator Prospectus: Consultation Document numerous times and, collectively – alongside the GGF and other professional bodies – we’ve put forward a substantive response.

It’s important for us, as an industry, to understand that this is not the only consideration relating to the government’s commitment to driving safety and compliance across the construction industry, as the landscape is ever changing and evolving.

2026 is shaping up to be a standout year in terms of addressing the shortfall in safety standards in construction products, as further papers; The Construction Products Reform White Paper and the General Safety Requirement are both now also in the consultation period – which will feed into the plans for the Single Construction Regulator.

The aim is to introduce the new regulations by the end of 2026 (subject to parliamentary time and process), bringing them into force in 2027 and anyone that has a stake in how building regulations work in practice, will be submitting a response.

Time for real change
It seems the government’s position is clear: there is a political mandate to implement the Grenfell Inquiry’s recommendations, and that direction of travel appears to now be set. But the phased approach and the genuine consultation process are encouraging signals that speed is not being prioritised over getting it right.

The Construction Products Reform white paper outlines proposed changes to the way construction products are regulated. It aims to address concerns around safety, quality, and accountability in the industry to improve how construction products are assessed, used, and maintained to ensure that they meet safety standards.

The regulation of construction products has been largely unreformed since the pre-Grenfell era, and the Construction Products Reform White Paper sets out to change that through a new General Safety Requirement that places a clear duty on manufacturers to ensure their products are safe before they reach market.

A robust product regulatory framework needs to cover the entire lifecycle of a building, not just the build phase. It’s important to note that this will expand to involve repair and replacement products too, not just new build.

Getting a real understanding
The more we delve into this with manufacturers, the more obvious it’s becoming that the intention is most definitely there to produce high-performance, top-quality products that perform for their lifecycle.

The processes are in place, but without checking what is happening and demonstrating this through supporting documentation, the standards are often falling short.

The most effective way to confirm production quality is to assess units at the point of manufacture.

Our team can provide accurate, independent measurement and analysis, giving manufacturers a clear picture of product performance. Where processes are functioning correctly, our findings will validate this; where issues exist, they can be addressed before products reach the market. These assessments reflect everyday production – not specially prepared units – helping ensure that products installed in buildings perform as promised.

Here to help
We want to be clear that our intention is to support the industry, not to identify fault. By acting early, manufacturers can avoid facing more serious issues later if underperforming products are discovered in situ. Our testing and reporting help businesses prevent costly mistakes and maintain confidence in product performance.

We recognise the pressures manufacturers face, and we understand that the need to revise production methods can feel daunting. However, BFRC fully supports measures that drive improved performance and safety across our industry.

Whilst the plans for a Single Construction Regulator may lead to some initial disruption and increased costs, its overall impact is aimed at creating a safer, more transparent, and higher-quality construction environment.

If nothing else, these papers highlight the continued focus on product performance and safety within buildings and the fact that this is a matter being taken seriously with a view to making positive changes for the future and at BFRC, we welcome this shift for a better future for our industry.

For more information from BFRC, visit www.bfrc.org