THE UK Government has launched a national regulator which will seek to ensure materials used to build homes are be made safer.
The regulator for construction products will have the power to remove any product from the market that presents a significant safety risk and prosecute any companies who flout the rules on product safety.
The UK Government said it comes following the Grenfell inquiry shining a light on the ‘dishonest practice’ by some manufacturers of construction products – including ‘deliberate’ attempts to ‘game the system and rig results of safety tests’.
It added that the regulator will have strong enforcement powers – with the ability to conduct its own product-testing when investigating concerns. It will be led by a panel of experts with regulatory, technical and construction industry experience.
Housing secretary Rt Hon Robert  Jenrick  MP said, “The Grenfell Inquiry has heard deeply disturbing allegations of malpractice by some construction product manufacturers and their employees, and of the weaknesses of the present product testing regime.
“We are establishing a national regulator to address these concerns and a review into testing to ensure our national approach is fit for purpose. We will continue to listen to the evidence emerging in the inquiry, and await the judge’s ultimate recommendation – but it is already clear that action is required now and that is what we are doing.”
