National construction products regulator offers compliance reset option, says SIG

The new national construction products regulator is an opportunity to reset the bar on product compliance and strengthen the message that products must be fit for purpose’. That’s according to SIG’s Commercial Director Andy Williamson, who has welcomed the formation of the national construction products regulator, which will operate within the government’s Office for Product Safety and Standards.

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

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.

Williamson adds: “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.”