A new framework designed to strengthen product safety and support regulatory reform across the built environment sector has been published, following a recommendation that came out of the Grenfell Inquiry.
PAS 2000, Construction products- Bringing safe products to market – Code of practice, published by BSI and sponsored by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), sets a practical framework for construction product manufacturers to adopt to demonstrate that they have taken reasonable steps to best ensure the products they place on the market are safe for their intended use.
The code of practice was developed following recommendations in the Morrell/Day Testing for a Safer Future report and the Grenfell Tower Inquiry final report. It also responds directly to the UK Government’s programme of construction product regulatory reform, which saw the launch of the Construction Product white paper on the 25th February.
Aligning with Recommendation 3.3 of the Morrell-Day Review, which called for industry collaboration with BSI to produce guidance, the standard illustrates the due diligence expected when placing a construction product on the market.
The PAS aims to help organizations demonstrate robust product safety governance, embed clear and proportionate due diligence processes, improve transparency and accountability, and align with evolving regulatory expectations. It is designed to strengthen confidence across supply chains that products will be safe for their intended use.
Ian Richardson, Sector Lead, BSI said “This publication reflects our clear commitment to responding constructively to the findings of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and Morrell-Day Review, and to supporting safety across the built environment.
“At a time of significant regulatory reform, PAS 2000 has been developed to support greater transparency, accountability and due diligence across the supply chain. By setting clear expectations and good practice, manufacturers and other economic operators should be empowered to embed robust product safety governance and align with evolving regulatory requirements. We encourage organizations across the built environment sector to engage with the standard and support its adoption.”
To support publication, BSI is hosting a launch event on 10 March, which will explain the background to the development of PAS 2000, outline the structure, content and practical benefits of the standard, clarify how organizations can implement the framework, and provide an opportunity for questions and industry engagement. The event will include speakers from the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) who were the sponsors of PAS 2000, and the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), who will speak about the Construction Product Reform white paper, as well as Dr Hywel Davies OBE, as the technical author for PAS 2000.
For further information on PAS 2000, which is free to download, visit https://knowledge.bsigroup.com/products/construction-products-bringing-safe-products-to-market-code-of-practice.
