BSRIA has produced a summary of its top recent and forthcoming legislation and guidance affecting buildings.
We also offer a comprehensive legislation service, free to BSRIA Members, on building and building services legislation and relevant guidance.
Compiled by Maria Thanigasalam
Bill: Domestic Properties (Minimum Energy Performance) (No.2) Bill 2017-19
This private members’ Bill was introduced to ensure that all domestic properties have a minimum energy performance rating of C on an Energy Performance Certificate.
This ongoing Bill had its first reading on 28th March 2019 with its second yet to be announced.
Bill: Fire Safety (Leasehold Properties) Bill 2017-19
This private members’ Bill was introduced to make freeholders of leasehold properties carry out remedial work if their building has failed regulatory fire safety tests.
This ongoing Bill was created on 28th November 2018 and is awaiting its second reading.
Regulation: SI 2019/465 The Construction Products (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019
This Regulation will make amendments to the Construction Products Regulation (EU) No. 305/2011 to ensure that it continues to operate effectively after the UK leaves the EU.
This Regulation was created 5th March 2019 and is due to come into force on the exit day.
Consultation: National Infrastructure Commission has run a Consultation on the resilience of the UK’s economic infrastructure
The purpose of the study is to evaluate the UK’s infrastructure and its capability of withstanding major disruptions such as climate change and digital technologies.
The Consultation ran from 5th March to 1st April 2019 and forms part of the initial scoping phase which ended in May 2019. The final report is due in Spring 2020.
Consultation: Energy efficiency scheme for small and medium sized businesses: call for evidence
This call for evidence sought views on various proposals for a new Business Energy Efficiency Scheme focused on SMEs.
This Consultation ran from 13th March - 8th May 2019.
Consultation: Review of Building Bulletin 100: design for fire safety in schools
Building Bulletin 100 is a design guide for fire safety in schools. This Consultation sought views from people with an interest in fire safety to help the Department for Education conduct a technical review of the guide.
This Consultation ran from 8th March - 31st May 2019.
Consultation: UKGBC consults on the definition of 'net zero carbon’
Launched by the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC), the Consultation invited feedback from businesses and stakeholders on a proposed definition for net zero carbon buildings in the UK. The Consultation document outlined the initial proposals from the Net Zero Carbon Buildings Task Group.
The initial Consultation ran from 4th February until 1st March 2019. The final framework definition was published in May 2019.
Guidance: HSE updates to the RIDDOR forms
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has updated its suite of Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations, SI 2013/1471 (RIDDOR) forms.
The HSE RIDDOR forms were updated in April 2019.
Policy: Streamlined energy and carbon reporting (SECR)
The introduction of SECR coincided with the end of the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) Energy Efficiency Scheme. The new Regulations require an estimated 11,900 companies incorporated in the UK to disclose their energy and carbon emissions.
The new policy was implemented on 1 April 2019.
Policy: The UK Government: Resource and Waste Strategy for England
A new policy document for dealing with waste resources and recycling has been produced by the UK Government. This sets out the UK Government's strategy to preserve material resources by minimising waste, promoting resource efficiency and moving towards a circular economy in England.
The initial report was published on 18th December and forms part of the UK Government’s ongoing 25-year Environment Plan.