Building Safety Regulator becomes a standalone body

The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has become a standalone public body, separating from the Health and Safety Executive. This change delivers a key recommendation from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and represents a formal step toward a single construction regulator in England, with clearer authority and accountability for oversight.

This signals stronger and more consistent regulation across the construction sector, not just limited to Higher-Risk Buildings. Expectations around roles, competence, governance, and record-keeping are tightening, with increased scrutiny likely across all project stages.

Businesses should treat this as a clear signal to review their compliance with the Building Safety Act and CDM 2015, ensure roles such as Client and Principal Designer are properly defined, and confirm that systems and documentation would stand up to regulatory challenge.

BPA can support organisations by providing Principal Designer services, CDM compliance reviews, governance and competence assessments, and practical guidance to embed health and safety into project planning and delivery.