New UK guide challenges how the construction industry chooses its products
Iain Hoey
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Industry bodies collaborate on new construction product safety guide
The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has released a new publication providing advice on the safe use of construction products in the UK.
According to CIOB, the Guide to Products Critical to Safe Construction has been developed with support from the Construction Products Association (CPA), the Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI), the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).
The guide is aimed at designers, specifiers and installers and sets out how to determine whether a product is critical to safe construction.
CIOB stated that the guide includes examples and case studies that reference existing industry standards, including the Code for Construction Product Information.
The publication is available free of charge in electronic format.
Background from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry
CIOB explained that the Grenfell Tower Inquiry identified failings in the UK’s construction product regulatory regime.
It said that the Inquiry found that the system did not ensure that products used in buildings were safe when used alone or as part of a wider system.
The organisation noted that the Inquiry’s findings were followed by further reports, including Building a Safer Future: Final Report and the Independent Review of Product Testing and Certification (the Morrell-Day Review).
According to CIOB, these reports recommended stronger regulation of manufacturing, testing and product supply.
It added that the UK Government published the Construction Product Reform Green Paper in February 2025, setting out proposals for a system that ensures safe products are safely used.
CIOB statement on the new guide
Paul Nash, Chair of CIOB’s Quality Implementation Group, said: “The outcomes of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry exposed a construction product regulatory regime that was failing to ensure that the products used in buildings, whether separately or part of a system, were safe.”
“In February 2025, the government published a Construction Product Reform Green Paper that sets out its proposals to deliver a system that guarantees safe products, safely used.
“It is against this backdrop that the CIOB, together with other professional bodies, has developed this Guide to Products Critical to Safe Construction to ensure the buildings we create, and the products we use in those buildings, are safe for those who use them, now and in the future.”
Guidance content and intended use
According to CIOB, the guide is intended to help industry professionals make informed product selection decisions.
It said the publication contains examples and case studies showing best practice in the assessment and selection of construction products.
The organisation explained that the guidance can be applied to products that are safety-critical whether they are used individually or as part of a system.
It added that the material is relevant across multiple building types and project scales.
CIOB stated that the guidance has been authored by Lorna Hagan, Civil Engineer and Chartered Quality Practitioner for Construct Tuition, and Chris Miles, Lead Assessor for the Code for Construction Product Information.
Comments from collaborating organisations
Chief Executive for CCPI, Amanda Long, said: “Whilst the guide has been developed against the backdrop of an emerging regulatory regime for construction products, its purpose is to support industry to act now to help to ensure that buildings are safe for those who use them, now and in the future.”
Duncan Johnson, Deputy Director, Construction Products Regulation, Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), added: “I welcome the collaborative efforts behind this guide, which brings together expertise from across the built environment sector to support safe and compliant construction, underpinned by clarity and consistency in product information.
“This guide contributes to raising standards and improving safety across the construction industry.”
Availability and access
CIOB confirmed that the guide is only available electronically.
It said that the digital format ensures accessibility for a wide range of users.
The organisation added that the free availability of the guide is intended to support adoption across the construction sector.
It stated that the resource can be accessed via CIOB and partner organisation websites.
Relevance for fire and safety professionals
The guidance addresses the safety of construction products, which directly impacts the fire safety performance of buildings.
It sets out methods for identifying products that are critical to safety, including those used in fire protection systems.
The publication aligns with wider regulatory changes following the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, which included fire safety considerations in its recommendations.
Fire safety professionals may use the guide to support compliance assessments, specification processes and procurement decisions.
CIOB publishes UK guide to products critical to safe construction: Summary
The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has released the Guide to Products Critical to Safe Construction.
The guide was developed in collaboration with the Construction Products Association (CPA), the Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI), the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).
The publication aims to help designers, specifiers and installers identify safety-critical construction products.
It includes examples and case studies showing industry best practice.
The Grenfell Tower Inquiry identified failings in the UK’s construction product regulatory regime.
Further reports, including the Morrell-Day Review, recommended stronger regulation.
The UK Government published the Construction Product Reform Green Paper in February 2025.
Paul Nash of CIOB said the guide supports the creation of safe buildings.
Amanda Long of CCPI and Duncan Johnson of OPSS welcomed the guide.
The resource is free and available electronically.