Reforms to the Building Safety Regulator
The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) was established under the Building Safety Act 2022 as part of the government’s response to the Grenfell Tower tragedy. Operated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the BSR is responsible for:
- Setting standards for the design and construction of higher-risk buildings
- Supporting accountable persons in managing building safety
- Overseeing the registration of building control professionals and bodies
Why are changes being made?
Concerns have been raised that current processes are slowing down approvals for new housing. To address this, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has announced reforms to accelerate development while maintaining safety standards.
Key changes announced
- A new arms-length body within MHCLG will take over BSR functions from the HSE
- This change marks a step towards forming a single construction regulator
- The BSR’s capacity is being expanded, with over 100 new staff appointments
Background: The Grenfell inquiry
These reforms reflect one of the Grenfell inquiry’s key recommendations: consolidating regulation and improving efficiency without sacrificing safety. The move is intended to streamline oversight while keeping building safety front and centre.
What this means for you
If you work in housing, design, construction or building control, these changes may affect how you engage with the regulator. Faster turnaround times and clearer accountability could improve processes — but adapting to the transition will be essential.
Need help navigating the changes?
We support developers, designers, and dutyholders with expert guidance on compliance, CDM duties and Principal Designer roles. Get in touch to see how we can help.