Construction Products Reform White Paper published - DHF to review proposals and advise members

The Construction Products Reform White Paper has now been published by the UK Government and the consultation period is open until 20th May 2026. It sets out wide-ranging proposals to strengthen the regulation of construction products across the United Kingdom. DHF is reviewing what these significant proposals mean for its members and the wider sector.

The White Paper responds directly to findings from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and subsequent independent reviews, which identified significant failings in product safety, testing, certification and regulatory oversight.

Overall purpose

The document proposes a comprehensive reform of the current system to ensure a more robust, transparent and safety-focused regime.

An overview of the proposals and consultation details is available here.

The White Paper outlines ambitious, system-wide reforms intended to:

• Address deep-rooted safety and regulatory shortcomings identified since the Grenfell tragedy
• Bring all construction products within a meaningful and enforceable safety framework
• Improve transparency and traceability of product information, including through digital systems
• Strengthen testing, certification and market surveillance
• Enhance accountability across the construction product supply chain
• Support investment, innovation and long-term market confidence alongside improved safety outcomes

General Safety Requirement

In addition to the white paper, there is a separate consultation on the introduction of a General Safety Requirement for all construction products not otherwise regulated. The Building Safety Act includes provisions for such a requirement to be introduced, but this has not so far been done. 

Consultation period and next steps

Both the White Paper and General Safety Requirement consultations will run until 20^th May 2026 and views are invited from all those with an interest and stake in the future of the construction products regulatory regime. Following the consultation period, the reforms are expected to lead to legislative change.

DHF response and member support

Given the scale and technical depth of the 142-page document, DHF is conducting a full review of the White Paper on behalf of its members.
DHF General Manager & Secretary, Michael Skelding has emailed members outlining its intentions and it is advised that they check their inbox.  This information will be updated following the review. DHF will also keep members informed as the consultation progresses and provide further guidance once the implications for the industry are fully understood.

Members who wish to review and respond directly to the consultations can access the White Paper here and the General Safety Requirement here.

Further updates will follow.

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