New building control standards panel 'to go further' than Grenfell

The Terms of Reference for a new Building Control Independent Panel (BCIP) — formally established last week to strengthen oversight, transparency, and public confidence in the building control system across the country — have been published.

The panel will operate independently to scrutinise standards, assess professional competence, and provide impartial advice on complex or high-risk building decisions. It forms part of a broader set of reforms aimed at improving building safety and ensuring regulatory compliance in the wake of recent concerns over construction quality and safety failures.

The BCIP has been tasked with offering expert guidance on building control regulations and reviewing the professional conduct of building control practitioners. It will also play a key role in advising on complaints and disciplinary processes, as well as identifying systemic issues that could impact public safety.

Terms of Reference

While the Grenfell Tower disaster exposed catastrophic failures that demanded urgent reform, the BCIP’s Terms of Reference (ToR) extend into future-proofing the building control system. It’s not only about addressing what went wrong, but also about proactively:

• identifying systemic risks
• advising on professional standards
• promoting continual improvement; and
• overseeing broader regulatory reform.

Unlike some post-Grenfell measures which focused on cladding, fire safety, and high-rise buildings, the BCIP ToR delve into evaluating the competence of building control professionals, advising on disciplinary procedures, and ensuring accountability across the whole profession — not just in fire safety contexts.

The panel

Chaired by an independent expert, the panel includes professionals with backgrounds in fire safety, structural engineering, legal regulation, and consumer advocacy. Members have been appointed through an open and transparent recruitment process, with each expected to serve a three-year term.

A spokesperson from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities said the establishment of the BCIP marks a "significant step forward" in its commitment to improving building safety. 'Independent oversight will help raise standards, promote accountability, and ensure the public can have confidence in how our built environment is regulated," they added.

The panel will meet at least four times a year and will publish an annual report highlighting key findings and recommendations for system improvement. Building Engineer will report on its findings when they become available.