Construction

Contact: Ben Goodier

Construction

ARB unveils draft for new Architects Code

The Architects Registration Board (ARB) is consulting on a proposed new code of professional conduct for architects. The proposed new Code is shorter and simpler, but may be more complex to apply and more onerous. Architects should consider responding to the consultation by the deadline of 12 December 2024.

One of the aims of the Building Safety Act 2022 was to introduce more safeguards and, as such, gave new powers to the Architects Registration Board (ARB) to monitor architects' competency. The new Code is part of the ARB's reforms aimed at fulfilling their regulatory obligations under the Act. The new Code distils the existing 12 principles down into 6 standards, following the trend amongst professions regulators in recent years to shorten and simplify rules.

The existing Code is more prescriptive, telling architects what they need to do to comply with the standards. In contrast, the new Code sets out 6 broad statements of principle and gives examples of how an architect can meet them.

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The week that was – construction sector updates

The week that was update from RPC's construction team is a round-up of key events in the construction sector over the last week. Recent editions can be seen below.

13 September 20 September 11 October 1 November

27 September 4 October 18 October

Construction

CE marking for construction products

On 2 September 2024, the government announced an extension to the period during which CE marking is recognised for construction products. Currently construction product sold in the UK must be subject to conformity testing against technical standards and receive either a UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) or a CE (Conformité Européene) mark. Recognition of CE marking was due to end in June 2025, but the government has committed to a two-year transition period ahead of any changes to avoid creating trade barriers or impacting supply of products that meet recognised standards.

The government has also promised to address the inadequacies in the current product testing regime, which continues to be impacted by lack of certification capacity in the UK. Meanwhile, the Office for Product Safety and Standards confirmed the same day that it has increased the level of market surveillance across the construction products sector, taking a risk-based and proportionate approach in line with its enforcement strategy.

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Eighteen-month deadline for developers to commence cladding works

The government has proposed a new “remediation acceleration plan”, aimed to have dangerous cladding removed from buildings quicker. At the party's conference, deputy prime minister Angela Rayner suggested that homebuilders will need to complete their assessments of which buildings require remediation within six months, with those works to be commenced within 12 months thereafter. A meeting is scheduled for later this month between Rayner and industry executives in order to finalise the plans.

Seeking to allay industry concerns about delays at the new Building Safety Regulator, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has promised to take steps to minimise lead times for sign-off of cladding works, providing these steps aren't felt to adversely impact the Regulator's ability to carry out its supervisory functions. The plan is expected to affect some industry players harder than others, with some developers being far closer to completion of their building assessments.

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