Published 22/04/26
Recently we explained that there is a new European Construction Products Regulation (EU-CPR 2024). This new European Regulation initially came into force on the 8th January 2026, with a phased-in approach which will run until 2040. There has been much discussion on whether the UK Government will adopt this in its entirety for the on-going regulation of Construction Products placed on the market in Great Britain and how this will integrate with the wider reforms to construction regulation post-Grenfell.
This question is currently being answered through continued reform of the UK Construction Regulations proposed in the UK Government ‘Construction Products Reform White Paper’ (2026).
Purpose of the White Paper:
The UK Government’s ‘Construction Products Reform White Paper’ sets out a comprehensive overhaul of the regulatory framework governing construction products in Great Britain. It responds directly to systemic failures highlighted by the Grenfell Tower tragedy, the Hackitt Review (2018), Morrell-Day Review (2021) and subsequent inquiries.
The reforms aim to deliver a robust, enforceable and risk‑based regulatory regime that improves safety, transparency and accountability across the Construction Product supply chain.
Note the White Paper is currently under consultation and hence the proposals may be subject to change.
Strategic Objectives:
The strategic objectives are to:
- Close regulatory gaps affecting products not currently covered by designated standards as somewhere between
- Strengthen testing, certification, and market surveillance
- Improve product information, traceability and digital accessibility
- Clarify responsibilities for manufacturers, importers, distributors and duty‑holders
- Support alignment with EU rules where beneficial to UK safety and trade
- Embed environmental and sustainability considerations into product regulation
Key Proposals:
The proposals aim to ensure that products placed on the market are safe and used safely, and that manufacturers, importers and distributors act responsibly. Three mechanisms will play a key role in achieving this:
For products covered by a designated standard:
It will remain mandatory for manufacturers to declare the performance of the product in line with the designated standard, and to provide the necessary information to demonstrate compliance, including affixing a product mark. Products subject to a UK Technical Assessment or European Technical Assessment will also be regulated.
For products not covered by a designated standard or subject to a UK or European technical assessment:
A risk-based general safety requirement (GSR) will be introduced. When placing the product on the market, the manufacturer will be required to identify and assess any safety risk connected to the intended use and the normal or reasonably foreseeable conditions of use of the product and take proportionate action to eliminate or control such risks.
All products will fall under one of these approaches.
In addition, for products classified as ‘critical to safe construction’:
The Government will also introduce enhanced requirements where there is greatest risk of harm (e.g. Fire Doors) to ensure that what is specified and installed is suitable and safe for the intended use. This will allow for additional measures where the national regulator for construction products considers that adherence to the standard alone is not sufficient to ensure that the product can be used safely.
General Safety Requirement (GSR)
The GSR will become a new statutory requirement aiming to cover the estimated 66% of Construction Products that are currently not the subject of a designated standard or technical assessment.
Manufacturers must:
- Identify and assess safety risks
- Take proportionate steps to mitigate risks
- Provide clear, accessible safety and performance information
GSR is to be brought into force using powers under the Building Safety Act 2022 – with regulations to be introduced by end of 2026 and implementation by late 2027.
PAS 2000:
In March 2026 BSI published a new code of practice to support the safety of construction products across the UK.
PAS 2000:2026 ‘Construction products – Bringing safe products to market – Code of practice’ will provide a framework for all manufacturers to demonstrate they have taken reasonable steps to ensure their products are safe to be placed on the market and supports the GSR.
PAS 2000 sets out five key elements in the system for manufacturers to deliver safe construction products to market.
- Pre-market development of construction products and ongoing in-market development and improvement to meet all relevant requirements.
- Reliable and appropriate testing, certification and evidence.
- Robust factory production control to demonstrate that what is being produced day to day is the construction product that was initially developed and tested.
- Accurate and trustworthy construction product information supported by appropriate evidence to demonstrate the performance of the construction product and support the claim that it is safe for the intended uses for which it is placed on the market.
- Clear processes for seeking and receiving feedback from the market on construction product use and performance and for dealing with legitimate complaints, concerns and problems with the construction product in practical everyday use, including processes for construction product recall where appropriate.
Alignment with EU Regulation (EU-CPR 2024).
The White Paper explains that the UK intends to maintain alignment with aspects of the EU Construction Products Regulation (CPR) where it is in line with the objectives for safe products, safely used. This includes the intention to align timescales with the EU where possible to mitigate risks of regulatory divergence. CE-marked products compliant with the EU-CPR 2011 or the EU-CPR 2024 will continue to be accepted in Great Britain without the need for retesting or additional marking.
Consultation Details
The White Paper consultation opened on the 25th February 2026 and closes on the 20th May 2026.
It includes 32 consultation questions across the White Paper and GSR proposals. It is open to industry, regulators, professionals and the public.
A separate white paper consultation for the GSR is also running and will also close on the 20th May 2026.