Product safety review launched
Two experts were recently appointed by housing secretary Robert Jenrick to lead an independent review of the system for testing construction products.
Former government adviser and construction expert Paul Morrell OBE will be the chair of the independent panel, along with legal expert Anneliese Day QC.
The review will examine how to strengthen the current system for testing construction products to provide confidence that these materials are safe and perform as marketed.
The review forms part of the government’s ongoing programme of work to reform and strengthen building safety regulation, and comes after testimony to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry exposed evidence of testing irregularities and potential gaming of the system by some manufacturers.
Housing secretary Robert Jenrick said: “We are taking these allegations very seriously and will await the inquiry’s final recommendations, but it is clear that action is needed now to ensure products used on buildings always meet the highest safety standards.”
The panel will engage with a wide range of stakeholders to seek their views on how the system of safety testing of construction products could be improved and will report later this year with recommendations.