Legislation

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Legislation and News Tracker

This free BSRIA news service monitors selected regulatory, guidance and related news in construction, building design and building services.
This tracker was last updated on 25/07/2021.

• 25/07/21
  RICS works with UK Government on 'First Homes' scheme
  The Royal Institution for Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has been working in close collaboration with MHCLG to ensure that RICS guidance in this space is recognised and aligned given the vital role an independent valuation will play in this process
  https://www.rics.org/uk/news-insight/latest-news/news-opinion/rics-works-with-uk-government-on-first-homes-scheme/
  
  
• 24/07/21
  Housebuilder’s costs on the rise
  The Royal Institution for Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has  warned that housebuilders costs increased by 1.7% in 1Q2021 and by 3.6% between 1Q 2020 and 1Q 2021, according to their BCIS Private Housing Construction Price Index (PHCPI).
  https://www.rics.org/uk/products/data-products/insights/private-housebuilders-costs-continued-to-increase-in-1q-2021/
  
  
• 23/7/21
  Bills: The Building Safety Bill
  A Bill to make provision about the safety of people in or about buildings and the standard of buildings, to amend the Architects Act 1997, and to amend provision about complaints made to a housing ombudsman. This Bill was updated on 23rd July 2021 and is at Committee Stage in the House of Commons with the date yet to be announced.
   https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3021
  
  
• 23/7/21
  Bills: The Environment Bill
  A Bill to make provision about targets, plans and policies for improving the natural environment; for statements and reports about environmental protection; for the Office for Environmental Protection; about waste and resource efficiency; about air quality.This Bill was updated on 23rd July 2021 and has reached the House of Lords for its third reading. The Bill will move to report stage on 6th September 2021.
  https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/2593
  
  
• 22/7/21
  Bills: Climate and Ecology Bill. Private Members' Bill (Presentation Bill).
   A Bill to require the United Kingdom to achieve climate and nature targets; to give the Secretary of State a duty to implement a strategy to achieve those targets; to establish a Climate and Nature Assembly to advise the Secretary of State in creating that strategy; to give duties to the Committee on Climate Change and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee regarding the strategy and targets; and for connected purposes. This Bill was updated on 22nd July 2021 and is due its second reading in the House of Commons on 10th September 2021.
  https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/2943
  
  
• 22/7/21
  Bills: The UK Government (MHCLG) has published the Building Regulation Advisory Committee's 'Golden Thread Report', as recommended by Dame Judith Hackitt in her report, 'Building a safer future'. The report will support duty-holders in designing, constructing and managing their buildings as holistic systems, taking into account building safety at all stages in the lifecycle, provide clarity on the golden thread policy and the changes it will require of the construction industry.
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/building-regulations-advisory-committee-golden-thread-report
  
  
• 22/7/21
  Bills: Minimum Energy Performance of Buildings (No. 2) Bill
  A Bill to make provision to increase the minimum energy performance of buildings; and for connected purposes. This Bill received its first reading in the House of Commons on 20th July and is due its second reading on 22nd October 2021.
  https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3036
  
  
• 22/7/21
  The UK Government (MHCLG) has announced that the External Wall Survey 1 (EWS1) forms will no longer be needed for buildings with cladding which are under 18 metres. This follows the publication of a report produced by an independent expert group and commissioned by the Housing Secretary, Robert Jenrick, which looked at building safety in medium and lower-rise blocks of flats, and which concluded there is no systemic risk of fire in such buildings.
  https://www.gov.uk/government/news/major-intervention-from-government-and-lenders-to-support-leaseholders
  
  
• 21/7/21
  Consultation:The Building Safety Levy.
  This consultation seeks views on the design of a proposed levy on developers who seek regulatory permission to build certain high rise residential buildings.This Consultation started on 21st July and will close on 15th October 2021.
  https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/the-building-safety-levy
  
  
• 21/7/21
  The UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) has invited applications to apply for their Task Group which will help shape the content of the first deliverable of the 'Resilience and Nature Based Solutions programme: the measuring and reporting of physical risk'.  
  The project aims to bring together the real estate and construction sector with the finance sector, in order to build consensus on how best to measure and report the physical risks from climate change to individual built assets. 
  https://www.ukgbc.org/news/ukgbc-opens-applications-for-measuring-and-reporting-of-physical-risk-task-group/
  
  
• 21/7/21
  In response to the consultation in January 2021 on proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) in light of the Building Better Building Beautiful Commission’s ‘Living with beauty’ report, the UK Government (MHCLG) has published a revised NPPF on 20 July 2021, which replaces the previous version of February 2019.
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-planning-policy-framework--2
  
  
•  21/7/21
  The UK Government (MHCLG) has launched a Consultation seeking views on the design and calculation of a proposed building safety levy, and evidence on the possible impacts on housing supply and regeneration, and the house building industry. The proposed levy would apply to developers who seek regulatory permission to build certain high rise residential buildings, the Gateway 2 stage of the new building safety regime. The consultation closes on 15 October 2021.
  Read more here
  
  
• 20/7/21
  Consultation: Design of the Energy Company Obligation ECO4: 2022-2026
  This Consultation is seeking  views on our proposed changes to the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme for the next scheme (ECO4), due to begin in April 2022. The Consultation started on 20th July 2021 and will close on 31st August 2021.
  https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/design-of-the-energy-company-obligation-eco4-2022-2026
  
  
• 20/07/21
  The Construction Industry Council (CIC) has published its Construct Zero Performance Framework. The framework sets out commitments for carbon reduction across sectors and a series of measures and metrics to show how progress is being made and will provide government and the industry with a comprehensive view at a sector level on progress. The measures include tracking the number of domestic retrofits, changes in the amount of non-diesel plant used and reductions in the amount of energy used to produce key products.
  https://www.cic.org.uk/news/article.php?s=2021-07-21-industry-journey-to-net-zero
  
  
• 20/07/21
  Following the conclusion and response to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and National Model Design Code (NMDC) Consultations, the UK Government has published the finalised 'National Model Design Code' for buildings. The code is intended to provide detailed guidance on the production of design codes, guidance and policies to promote high quality design.
  Read more here
  
  
• 20/7/21
  Consultation: Facilitating the deployment of large-scale and long-duration electricity storage: call for evidence
  This Consultation is seeking evidence about barriers to the deployment of large-scale and long-duration electricity storage, and on different approaches for supporting the deployment of these technologies. The Consultation started on 20th July 2021 and ends on 28th September 2021.
  https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/facilitating-the-deployment-of-large-scale-and-long-duration-electricity-storage-call-for-evidence
  
  
• 20/07/21
  The UK Government (BEIS) has launched a Consultation on 'Competition and Consumer Policy.'  The consultation sets out proposals to address markets which are lacking proper competition and highlights that consumers’ rights in some areas need protecting.
  https://www.constructionleadershipcouncil.co.uk/news/competition-and-consumer-policy-consultation-launched/
  
  
• 16/07/21
  World's first 3D-printed steel footbridge opens. 
  The world's first 3D-printed steel structure, dubbed a 'living laboratory' bridge because of its digital twin and co-developed by Imperial College London, has been opened to the public in Amsterdam.
  https://architecturaltechnology.com/resource/world-s-first-3d-printed-steel-footbridge-opens.html
  
  
• 15/7/21
  The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has announced that it has launched the RIBA Fire Safety Compliance Tracker, which is a new tool that allows its members to record and share fire safety information.
  https://www.architecture.com/knowledge-and-resources/knowledge-landing-page/riba-launches-fire-safety-compliance-tracker
  
  
• 14/7/21
  The Welsh Government has announced that the Welsh Building Safety Fund will cover fire safety surveys for multi-occupied buildings over 11 metres to ensure residents’ safety. 
  All buildings over 11 metres can apply and those over 18 metres will be given priority. The surveys will assess cladding issues and internal issues, such as ineffective compartmentation, and the findings will inform the Fire Safety Building Passport, which will set out identified defects, required action and when fire safety measures must be implemented.
  https://gov.wales/welsh-government-takes-action-building-safety
  
  
• 14/7/21
  Consultation: Decarbonisation readiness: call for evidence on the expansion of the 2009 Carbon Capture Readiness requirements
  This consultation seeks initial views and evidence on an expansion to the 2009 Carbon Capture Readiness (CCR) requirements, in partnership with the Welsh Government .This Consultation started on 14th July and will close on 22nd Sepember 2021.
  Read more here
  
  
• 13/7/21
  The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) Academy has launched a Level 6 Diploma in Building Safety Management
  https://www.ciob.org/ciob-launches-building-safety-diploma
  
  
  
• 13/7/21
  The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) has produced a new report regarding climate change in infrastructure projects. Survey results, conducted for the report, show that infrastructure projects do not prioritise climate change as a concern. Out of 900 UK-based members of ICE, 66% thought greater emphasis needs to be placed on greenhouse gas emissions, while only 15% said they consider climate change and greenhouse gas emissions throughout their infrastructure projects.
  https://www.ice.org.uk/news-and-insight/latest-ice-news/good-design-project-launch
  
  
• 13/7/21
  The Carbon Trust announces its new offshore wind report that analyses the technical opportunities and challenges for the floating offshore wind sector to overcome, as it moves towards commercial scale farms. The findings are the result of the latest renewable energy project, undertaken by the Floating Wind Joint Industry Project (JIP) and managed by the Carbon Trust.
  https://www.carbontrust.com/news-and-events/news/new-industry-report-addresses-technical-challenges-as-floating-offshore-wind
  
  
• 9/7/21
  SI 2021/814
  Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development etc.) (England) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2021
  This Order amends, primarily, the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (“the GPDO”). The GPDO provides, for the purposes of section 59 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (c. 8), for the granting of permission for certain classes of development without the requirement for a planning application to be made under Part 3 of that Act. Laid before the House of Lords on 9th July 2021 and coming into force on 1st August 2021.
  https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2021/814/made
  
  
• 9/7/21
  The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) has published monthly construction data for May 2021, which details how construction output fell by 0.8% while remaining 'slightly above' pre-coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic February 2020 level. CLC has attributed the decline in construction output to declines in new work (0.4%) and repair and maintenance (1.5%). Conversely, construction output grew by 6.3% in the three months to May 2021 against the previous three-month period.
  http://www.constructionleadershipcouncil.co.uk/news/construction-output-falls-0-8-in-may/
  
  
• 8/7/21
  Net zero buildings: where do we stand? A new report from the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), supported by Arup, is calling on the built environment industry to adopt a whole life-cycle approach to assessing the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from buildings. The authors of the report estimate that less than 1% of building projects currently calculate and report their full carbon footprint.
  https://www.arup.com/news-and-events/construction-industry-needs-whole-life-carbon-understanding-to-hit-net-zero-new-report-shows
  
  
• 8/7/21
  Analysis of the changes the Building Safety Bill proposes to introduce to the Defective Premises Act 1972 (DPA 1972)and the limitation periods for causes of action arising under DPA 1972 and the Building Act 1984 (BA 1984).
  Read the report prepared by Lexis Nexis (PDF)
  
  
  
• 7/7/21
  Bills: Fire and Building Safety (Public Inquiry) Bill. Private Members' Bill (under the Ten Minute Rule)
  A Bill to establish an independent public inquiry into the Government’s response to concerns about fire and building safety. This Bill received its first reading in the House of Commons on 6th July 2021 and its second reading on 10th September 2021.
  https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3024/
  
  
• 7/7/21
  Regulations: SI 2021/Draft: Building (Appointment of Persons, Industry Competence and Dutyholders) (England) Regulations 2021
  These draft Regulations are laid to require each client to make suitable arrangements in relation to the planning, managing and monitoring of any work, and provide that where a project includes higher-risk building work the client must make arrangements to ensure designers and contractors are aware
  http://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/997754/Scope_draft_regulations.pdf
  
  
• 7/7/21
  The Construction Innovation Hub, in conjunction with the Construction Product Association, has launched a Public Consultation on its project called 'LEXiCON' to streamline information sharing in the construction sector.  The purpose of the initiative is to standardise construction product data sharing on projects, allowing construction professionals to better use product information to optimise designs and improve digital records. The Consultation runs until 18th August 2021.
  https://constructioninnovationhub.org.uk/lexicon-the-new-language-of-data-management/
  
  
  
• 7/7/21
  Regulations: SI 2021/Draft: Higher-Risk Buildings (Descriptions and Supplementary Provisions) Regulations 2021
  These draft Regulations are laid to specify the description of buildings to which the Part 3 of the Building Safety Act 2021 applies as a building which contains at least two residential units, a care home, or a hospital.
  http://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/997754/Scope_draft_regulations.pdf
  
  
• 6/7/21
  Consultation: Strengthening the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS)
  This Consultation seeks views on proposed changes to improve and strengthen the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS)  .This Consultation started on 6th July and will close on 28nd September 2021.
  https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/strengthening-the-energy-savings-opportunity-scheme-esos
  
  
•  5/7/21
  The UK Government (MHCLG) published a new Building Safety Bill on 5 July 2021, which reforms building safety regulation. Reforms detailed in the Bill include establishing a new regime for building safety regulation and attributing greater powers to residents in tower blocks to hold builders and developers to account. The new regime will be overseen by the new Building Safety Regulator.The Bill began its passage through parliament and had its first reading in the House of Commons on 5 July 2021.
  https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-regulator-at-heart-of-building-safety-overhaul
  
  
• 4/7/21
  Regulations: SI 2021/draft
  Ecodesign for Energy-Related Products and Energy Information (Amendment) Regulations 2021.
  These Regulations make amendments to legislation in the field of ecodesign and energy labelling for energy-related products. The first reading was held on 5th of July and awaiting reading in the House of Lords.
  https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2021/9780348225549
  
  
• 1/7/21
  The UK Government (MHCLG) has announced that 49,470 new homes were built in the UK during the first three months of 2021, which, according to the department, is the highest figure in more than 20 years.
  https://www.gov.uk/government/news/home-building-stats-show-continued-increase-in-starts-and-completions-despite-pandemic
  
  
• 1/7/21
  Regulations: SI 2021/draft
  Ecodesign for Energy-Related Products and Energy Information (Lighting Products) Regulations 2021
  These Regulations specify ecodesign requirements for light sources and separate control gears, and energy labelling requirements for light sources. Laid before the House of Commons and the House of Lords on 1st July 2021.
  https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2021/9780348225488
  
  
• 30/6/21
  Regulations: SI 2021/789
  Gas Act 1986 and Electricity Act 1989 (Electronic Communications) Order 2021.
  This Order amends the Gas Act 1986 (c. 44) and the Electricity Act 1989 (c. 29) to enable the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority and the Secretary of State to send documents and notices by electronic means, where the recipient has indicated their willingness to receive documents and notices of the relevant kind in this way (and has not withdrawn that indication). Laid before Parliament on 5th July and coming into force on 1st August 2021.
  https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2021/789/made
  
  
• 30/6/21
  'Sustainable living—making UK homes net zero by 2025'.  Lexis Nexis offer insights.
  Read more here (PDF)
  
  
• 25/6/21
  ‘Planning gateway one’—information on fire safety measures published
  MHCLG has published further information on measures to ensure the consideration of fire safety issues, which must be incorporated at the planning stage for schemes related to high-rise residential buildings in England. The new measures form part of ‘planning gateway one’, which in turn is part of the building safety regime that the government proposes to introduce as part of the Building Safety Bill, in response to the Hackitt Review. They will apply to applications for planning permissions made on or after 1 August 2021.
  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/fire-safety-and-high-rise-residential-buildings-from-1-august-2021
  
  
• The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has reported a 3.6% increase in costs for housebuilders between 1Q 2020 and 1Q 2021. According to RICS, respondents to the BCIS Private Housing Construction Price Index survey attributed this to shortages of building materials, as well as transport and energy costs. Respondents have predicted a continuation of rising costs into Q2 2021. However, RICS states that productivity has improved during the quarter, and should rise once revised working practices are established.
  https://www.rics.org/uk/products/data-products/insights/private-housebuilders-costs-continued-to-increase-in-1q-2021/
  
  
• 24/6/21
  The World Green Building Council (WGBC) has published its Advancing Net Zero Status Report for 2021, which looks at leadership action from Green Building Councils and building and construction organisations towards achieving the total decarbonisation of the sector.
  https://worldgbc.org/advancing-net-zero-status-report-2021
  
  

• 17/6/21
  Actuate UK asks for UKCA mark transition for construction products to be extended
  Actuate UK asks for an extension of the transition time to the new Brexit arrangements to avoid delays and allow all products to be tested and accredited. Actuate UK has issued a warning about serious consequences for businesses, public and commercial projects as well as domestic customers in only six months if a major issue regarding product compliance and standard marking is not resolved.
  https://www.feta.co.uk/news/latest-news/actuate-uk-asks-for-ukca-mark-transition-for-construction-products-to-be-extended
  
  
  Highlights from previous months - 2021 | View all >>

Regulations | View all >>

• SI 2021/draft The Climate Change Act 2008 (Credit Limit) Order 2021
  This Order sets a limit on the net amount of carbon units that may be credited to the net UK carbon account for the 2023-2027 budgetary period of 55,000,000 carbon units.  This Order was made on 13th May 2021. Read more here
  
  
• SI 2021/561 The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Auctioning (Amendment) Regulations 2021
  These Regulations amend the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Auctioning Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/484), which provide for the auctioning of allowances created for the purposes of the UK Emissions Trading Scheme, to clarify the criteria applicable to representatives of those eligible to apply to bid for allowances under those Regulations and to correct a number of other minor errors. This Order was made on 10th May 2021 and came into force on 19th May 2021. Read more here
  
  
• SI 2021/543 Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2021. These Regulations make amendments to legislation in the field of fluorinated greenhouse gases. The Order was introduced on 4th May 2021 and came into force on 25th May 2021. Read more here
  
  
• SI 2021/386 Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment) (No. 2) (Wales) Order
  This Order amends the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (“the GPDO”). Read more here
  
  
• SI/2021/428 The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development etc.) (England) (Amendment) Order 2021
  This Order amends, primarily, the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (“the GPDO”).
  The Amendment came into force on 21st April, 2021. Read more here
  
  
• SI 2021/254 The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment) (Wales) Order 2021
  This Order amends the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (“the GPDO”). The Amendment came into force on 29th March, 2021. Read more here
  
  
• SI 2021/13 The Stamp Duty Land Tax (Administration) (Amendment) Regulations 2021. The Regulations amend Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the Stamp Duty Land Tax (Administration) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/2837) to provide a new SDLT 1 form in connection with land transactions for the purposes of stamp duty land tax. This was created on 6th January 2021 and due to come into force on Ist April 2021. Read more here
  
  
• SI 2020/1265 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Order 2020. Provisions have been made to establish a UK-wide greenhouse gas emissions trading scheme (ETS) to encourage cost-effective emissions reductions which will contribute to the UK’s emissions reduction targets and net zero goal. This was created on 11th November, 2020.  Read more here

Legislation (Bill or Act)  View all Bills>> | View all Acts>>

• Bill: Environment Bill 2021
  A Bill to make provision about targets, plans and policies for improving the natural environment; for statements and reports about environmental protection; for the Office for Environmental Protection; about waste and resource efficiency; about air quality; for the recall of products that fail to meet environmental standards; about water; about nature and biodiversity; for conservation covenants; about the regulation of chemicals; and for connected purposes. The Bill had its first reading on the 26th May 2021 and is due its second reading on the 2nd June 2021. Read more here
  
  
• Act: Fire Safety Act 2021 
  This Act makes provision about the application of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 where a building contains two or more sets of domestic premises; and to confer power to amend that order in the future for the purposes of changing the premises to which it applies. It comes into force partly on 29 April 2021, on 29 June 2021, and fully on such day as the Secretary of State may by regulations made by statutory instrument appoint. Read more here
  
  
• Act: European Union (Future Relationship) Act 2020. 
  The official Act, formalising the trade agreement and future relationship between the EU and the UK was passed on December 31st, 2020. This Act makes provision to implement the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement and associated agreements, and further provision in connection with the UK’s future relationship with the EU and its Member States, as well as related provision on specific matters concerning trade and security, including provisions on criminal records, passenger name record data, evidence and extradition, customs, tax, social security, and privileges and immunities, and for connected purposes. It comes into force partly on 30 December 2020, and comes into force fully on such day as a Minister of the Crown may by regulations appoint. Different days may be appointed for different purposes. Read more here\
  
  
• Act: The Coronavirus Act
  This came into law on 25th March 2020, enabling many provisions to allow business, including the building planning sector and related industries, to operate effectively. For example, use of photographic evidence instead of site visits and use virtual planning committees for building control decisions have been approved. Read more here
  
  
• Bill: New Homes (New Development Standards)
  A Bill to require residential developers to meet minimum standards of provision for insulation, broadband connectivity and electric car charging points in new homes; and for connected purposes. Originally a Private Members Bill in June 2020. It is now awaiting a second reading in the current session (2021).
  Read more here
  
  
• Bill: Net Zero Carbon Emissions (Audit)
  A Bill to make provision for an independent audit of the costs and benefits of meeting the requirement under the Climate Change Act 2008 for net United Kingdom carbon emissions to be zero by 2050; and for connected purposes. Originally a Private Members Bill in February 2020.  It is now awaiting a second reading in the current session  (2021).
  Read more here 

Consultations  | View all >> 

• Consultation: A UK Government Consultation seeking views on a revised version of the Building Bulletin 100 design guide for fire safety in schools. The Consultation opened on 27th May and continues until 17th August 2021.
  Read more here
  
  
• Consultation: The UK Government announce the Consultation on the Future Building Standard on 21st January 2021.  This Consultation is the second stage of a 2-part consultation on proposed changes to Part L (Conservation of fuel and power) and Part F (ventilation) of the Building Regulations.  It also sets out proposals for a Future Buildings Standard, which provides a pathway to highly efficient non-domestic buildings which are zero carbon ready. Read more here
  
  
• Consultation: Green Gas Support Scheme (GGSS): digestate managementIn April 2020, the 'Future support for low carbon heat' Consultation set out proposals for a new Green Gas Support Scheme (GGSS) to increase the proportion of green gas in the grid, through support for biomethane injection by the process of anaerobic digestion (AD).In this consultation, 2 mitigations are proposed against ammonia emissions from digestate, a by-product of AD, for the GGSS scheme participants. The Consultation runs from 21st December 2020 to 15th January 2021. Read more here
  
  
• Consultation: The Green Building Council
  

  A Consultation on the guidance for procuring renewable energy and carbon offsets. As part of its development of a Net Zero Carbon Buildings Framework, UKGBC has drafted further guidance on renewable energy procurement and carbon offsetting for businesses in an effort to ensure that the framework is used consistently and aligns with best practice. The draft guidance looks mainly at renewable energy procurement for electricity, heating and domestic hot water, carbon offsetting and carbon accounting.  The Consultation ran between 27th October - 17 November 2020. Read more here

Guidance  | View all>>

• The UK Government (BEIS) has published new guidance on the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS). Subjects covered in this guidance include the supply of allowances in the UK ETS in the scheme’s initial phases. It also provides information on the functioning of the auctions and secondary market, free allocation, and the ETS Authority’s market stability mechanisms.
  Read more here
   
  
• The British Refrigeration Association (BRA) has announced the release of an updated guide on the Jointing of Pipework for Refrigeration Systems. This latest issue is the sixth version of the guide and the first update since the 2014 edition.
  Read more here
  
  
• The Institute of Refrigeration (IOR) has published a new Guidance note for the occupations of Design and Applications Engineer as part of its series of roadmaps setting out the skills, knowledge and behaviours required in key occupations.
  Read more here
  
  
• The Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) has released a new Technical Guide to add to its portfolio of online Guides available to download. The new guide, entitled “Selection of Control Valves”, is intended to provide a better understanding of the complex topic of control valves in HVAC systems.
  Read more here
  
  
• The Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA) has released guidance on speeding up flood recovery and property flood resilience on 8th January 2021. Property flood resilience (PFR) is an important part of the response to flood risk. PFR includes measures that reduce the risks to people and property enabling households and businesses to reduce flood damage, speed up recovery and reoccupation. PFR measures should reduce the amount of water entering buildings (known as resistance measures), or limit the damage caused if water does enter a building (known as recoverability measures). Read more here
  
  
• The NEC has launched a new NEC4 Facilities Management Contract (FMC) and NEC4 Facilities Management Subcontract specifically for ‘procuring facilities management services', on  8th January 2021.  The Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM) has supported NEC with the production of the contracts in order to identify the best practice in the sector as well as to signify the way forward. Read more here
  
  
• Onward publishes its latest research report, 'Getting to zero' on 5th January 2021, which marks the launch of a major Government cross-party programme of research  to understand the political and practical challenges to achieving net zero by 2050, and to develop policies to help people and places who may be disrupted in the transition. Read more here
  
  
• The World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) has released a new report entitled ‘Bringing Embodied Carbon Upfront: Coordinated action for the building and construction sector to tackle embodied carbon’, which sets out how cross-sector collaboration can help the construction sector reach its net-zero goal and how to mitigate embodied carbon emissions. The report is part of WorldGBC’s Advancing Net Zero strategy and is produced in partnership with European Climate Foundation, Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, C40 Cities and Ramboll. Read more here

Policy and strategy  |  View all>>

• The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government has issued further guidance for Building Control Bodies in relation to operation during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The Guidance was [published on 21st April 2020 and covers new/temporary healthcare buildings and related facilities, as well as general guidance for operating during the current period. The changes are designed to enable essential building work to be carried out quickly, ‘without undue administrative burden’, while maintaining essential health and safety requirements. Read more here 
•