Mike Vaczi of SOPREMA discusses how recent legislative changes are fundamentally altering the construction industry’s approach to product verification and certification.
The construction industry stands at a turning point in regards to building safety and product verification. Recent years have witnessed a raft of changes in how construction materials are evaluated and certified, driven by events such as the Grenfell tragedy, and intensifying environmental imperatives. Combined, these shifts have changed the responsibilities of manufacturers, suppliers and contractors in ensuring building safety and sustainability.
Today, the complexity of modern construction materials and systems demands robust verification processes that extend far beyond traditional compliance frameworks. Every component in a building must work harmoniously with others while maintaining performance characteristics throughout its service life. This complexity multiplies when considering critical factors such as fire safety, thermal performance and environmental impact – the result is an interconnected web of dependencies that requires a thorough understanding and documentation.
Independent certification plays a crucial role in providing confidence to specifiers and contractors. Third-party certification provides reassurance to specifiers that products have been tested to industry standards and will perform as stated, with independent evaluation giving confidence that materials meet performance expectations and safety requirements.
This need for robust verification became painfully clear when the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety identified fundamental weaknesses in product testing and certification following the Grenfell tragedy. Publishing its findings in 2018, the body found that many products and systems were not properly tested, which led to inappropriate or unsafe materials being used on buildings.
Legislative framework driving change
The Building Safety Act 2022 represents a watershed moment for the construction industry with the introduction of the ‘Golden Thread’ concept. This is a complete, structured and accessible digital record of safety critical building information that must be maintained from design and construction through to occupation. It underlines the importance of full-system testing, where all products and components are tested and certified as part of the complete roofing or facade system they are intended to be installed within.
For architects working on high-risk buildings – structures at least 18 metres in height or seven storeys tall containing two or more residential units – the Act establishes stringent requirements for product information and verification. The ‘Gateway’ process introduced by the legislation requires detailed technical and product safety information before any work can commence on site, meaning complete test data and certification documentation are essential for project progression.
The cumulative effect of these reforms demands that every party involved in a project adopt a more systematic and disciplined product selection process. For architects, this means engaging early with manufacturers to confirm that proposed systems are certified and suitable for the intended application. It also necessitates establishing robust change control procedures to ensure that any deviation from the original specification is carefully evaluated, documented and justified.
Looking ahead, the UK Government’s Construction Products Reform Green Paper 2025 proposes further significant changes to how construction materials are regulated and monitored. Among its most significant proposals is the establishment of a National Regulator for Construction Products, which will be empowered to set standards, audit manufacturers, enforce compliance and take decisive action where unsafe products are identified.
System level testing & verification
When it comes to roofing, facade and insulation products, one of the most crucial aspects is ensuring that products undergo testing as a complete system, with all components installed as they will be in the actual building. This approach allows the true fire performance to be established, as the interaction of different materials influences the penetration and spread of flame. Any changes in the buildup, such as different substrate or insulation thickness, can alter how the system performs in the event of a fire.
Documentation and transparency are key to effective certification. The Code for Construction Product Information emphasises the importance of clear, accurate and unambiguous product information, including detailed specifications, installation guidelines and performance data that must be regularly updated and readily accessible to all stakeholders.
The future of certification
Digital integration and enhanced documentation systems supporting the Golden Thread requirements will be crucial moving forward. Environmental Product Declarations are becoming increasingly important tools for demonstrating environmental impact as they provide architects with verified data to support sustainable design decisions. As the industry grapples with greenwashing concerns, these standardised declarations offer a transparent way to evaluate and compare products’ environmental credentials.
Sustainability metrics will play an ever important role, with standardised environmental impact measurements and whole life carbon assessments becoming standard practice. The proposed reforms seek to align fire safety, energy efficiency and environmental performance within a single compliance framework, which will create a more holistic approach to building performance.
The successful implementation of these evolving certification requirements depends on close collaboration between manufacturers, certification bodies and industry stakeholders. Architects who understand these changing requirements and work with manufacturers who have established robust testing and certification programmes will be well positioned to meet new standards, all while ensuring both compliance and the ongoing safety of the built environment.
Mike Vaczi is technical director at SOPREMA