Recommendation P2-13: Make construction regulator responsible for product conformity certificates
From Grenfell Tower Inquiry: Phase 2 Report, published 4 September 2024.
Recommendation
We therefore recommend that the construction regulator should be responsible for assessing the conformity of construction products with the requirements of legislation, statutory guidance and industry standards and issuing certificates as appropriate. We should expect such certificates to become pre-eminent in the market. (113.22)
In brief (written by this site)
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government stated in September 2026 that it is reviewing responses to consultations on the Construction Products Reform White Paper and the General Safety Requirement, with plans to publish responses and set out next steps later in the year (Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Sep 2026). The department's implementation timeline projects introducing primary and secondary legislation between 2027 and 2029 when parliamentary time allows, followed by establishing the single regulator and concluding the legislative framework between 2028 and 2029 (Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Sep 2026).
Sources
AI-generated summary of the record on this page, checked by a second model and automatic checks, 26 Sep 2026. The record below is the sources' own words.
Government response
The government accepts this recommendation in principle. We have published a construction products green paper alongside the response to the Inquiry that addresses this recommendation more effectively, as it will be considered as part of system-wide reform. This is needed across the construction product regulatory and institutional landscape to address the deep-seated issues with the current regime. The green paper sets out a wide range of measures, including new obligations on all of those who play a key role in the testing, certification and assurance of construction products. These extensive measures will raise the bar in terms of rigour, consistency, transparency and confidence, with the overall aim of supporting both safe products and the safe use of products.
How this response relates to the recommendation
Site note: This is the government's response to the Phase 2 report (CP 1248, published 26 February 2025). It prints each recommendation and then the response to it. Where the recommendation is addressed to a body outside government, the response prints that body's own acceptance (the Architects Registration Board and RIBA, HMICFRS, London Fire Brigade, the National Fire Chiefs Council, the British Standards Institution, the National Police Chiefs' Council), and the row is filed under that body.
Delivery
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government says in progress (10 September 2026)
Timeline for delivery
2025
- Review Construction Products Reform Green Paper consultation responses. – Complete
2026
- Publication of Construction Products Reform White Paper before spring. – Complete
- Publication of government response to Construction Products White Paper and General Safety Requirements Consultations. – (Q4, Oct to Dec)
2027 to 2029 (when Parliamentary time allows)
- Introduction of primary legislation
- Introduction of secondary legislation
2028 to 2029
- Legislative framework complete. Single regulator (recommendation 1) established. Implementation and transition begins.
Site note: This is the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's progress report of September 2026 on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations. Where the passage describes work by another body, such as the National Fire Chiefs Council, London Fire Brigade, fire and rescue services, the British Standards Institution or the Cabinet Office, it is the Ministry's account of that body's progress, and the row is filed under the Ministry.
Earlier statements on delivery (2)
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (10 September 2026)
The Construction Products Reform White Paper and General Safety Requirement for Construction Products consultations closed in May. The consultations received responses from across the sector, supported by engagement across the product supply chain. We are now considering these responses and are continuing to work with industry and regulators to refine our proposals for reform.
We intend to publish government responses to both consultations later in the year, setting out more detail on next steps. These next steps include our intention to bring forward legislation to introduce a General Safety Requirement when Parliamentary time allows.
Site note: This is the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's progress report of September 2026 on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations. Where the passage describes work by another body, such as the National Fire Chiefs Council, London Fire Brigade, fire and rescue services, the British Standards Institution or the Cabinet Office, it is the Ministry's account of that body's progress, and the row is filed under the Ministry.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (25 February 2026)
In February 2025, alongside the government response, we published a Construction Product Reform Green Paper setting out proposed reforms to the sector. We conducted detailed analysis of the responses and undertook engagement with the sector to develop more detailed proposals.
Informed by this, the government has published the Construction Products Reform White Paper and a consultation on the details of a General Safety Requirement alongside this report. The white paper sets out the government’s response to the green paper and next steps for long term system-wide reform. The General Safety Requirement consultation sets out the proposed approach to bring unregulated products into the regulatory regime.
Site note: This is the annex of the government's Phase 2 annual report (CP 1512, published 25 February 2026) as GOV.UK publishes it, one page per theme: the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's account. Where the passage describes work by another body, such as the National Fire Chiefs Council, London Fire Brigade, the British Standards Institution, the Health and Safety Executive or the Cabinet Office, it is the report's account of that body's progress, and the row is filed under the Ministry. The status is what the passage says: completed only where it says the recommendation is complete or closed.
Responsible bodies
Themes and tags
Who has spoken
- UK Government
Response - Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Delivery statement