National construction products regulator ‘an opportunity to reset the compliance bar’

The establishment of a new regulator to ensure homes are built from safe materials is ‘an opportunity to reset the compliance bar’ and further strengthen the message that products must be fit for purpose’, says SIG’s Commercial Director Andy Williamson.

Williamson welcomed the formation of the national construction products regulator, which will operate within the government’s Office for Product Safety and Standards.

He said that while the industry as a whole works hard to ensure compliance, it is reassuring that this new regulator will be on hand and keeping a watchful eye on products in the marketplace.

“The overwhelming majority of companies and those working in construction do their very best to operate professionally, ensuring the materials they use are safe, compliant and fit-for-purpose,” he said.

“Yet standards can sometimes slip. Any measure that will help to maintain and improve compliance should be strongly supported.”

The OPSS has been given £10 million to establish the new division, with the regulator working with Trading Standards and the Building Safety Regulator to ‘encourage and enforce’ compliance.

Not only will the regulator be able to order the removal of any product that presents a significant safety risk, it will also have the authority to take to court companies that flout rules on product safety. It will also have strong enforcement powers and the ability to conduct its own testing when carrying out investigations.

As a major distributor of specialist building materials, SIG has a major focus on compliance, leading the way through ‘SIG Assured’, the company’s comprehensive compliance tracking system.

The system means SIG is always up to date with changing legislation and product development, while continually monitoring the companies and products that are compliant.

It also means customers have complete traceability on the provenance of the products they purchase.

Williamson added: “The creation of the new regulator should be seen as an opportunity to reset the compliance bar, to build back confidence in the safety of buildings, while further reinforcing the industry’s determination to prevent unproven products entering the market.”