Building confidence in construction

Specify & Build spoke with Paul Newman, Technical Director of the Structural Timber Association, to learn his views on the recent Construction Products Green Paper, and the opportunities and challenges facing the sector. 

In the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, the UK construction industry is facing a pivotal transformation. The UK Government’s Construction Products Reform Green Paper, a policy blueprint aiming to close longstanding regulatory gaps and restore public trust in the safety, integrity, and traceability of construction materials, is proposing significant changes to how construction products are regulated and managed.  

The Green Paper is unambiguous in its ambition: to overhaul the construction products regime and prevent failures on the scale of Grenfell. The government’s proposals include bringing all construction products under mandatory regulation – an essential move, given that currently only around one-third are subject to formal oversight. The reforms advocate for stronger testing and certification requirements, greater product traceability, and legal redress mechanisms to exclude those who don’t comply from accessing government contracts. A central proposal is the creation of a single regulator equipped with enforcement powers, civil and criminal penalties, and the authority to impose market bans. 

Paul supports the ambition but tempers optimism with realism. “The idea of a single regulator is definitely a good one,” he says. “But they need the resources – and that’s the biggest issue. You can dance around it, but there just aren’t enough competent building control officers.” 

His concern is amplified by reports that some local authorities are already refusing planning applications due to staffing shortages. “It’s not sustainable,” he says. “If the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) is to take on more responsibilities, then salaries, staffing, and training need urgent attention.” 

Taking the initiative 

Fortunately, the structural timber sector is ahead of the curve in many respects. The STA has established STA Assure, an assurance scheme that integrates both rigorous product testing and mandatory training. “Our manufacturer members must demonstrate they’ve fire-tested their systems and proven their fire resistance,” he explains. 

STA Assure also imposes obligations on installers and constructors. “They must complete mandatory training; we want to draw a line all the way through design, compliance, and construction,” says Paul. This comprehensive approach enables traceability and accountability among STA members – priorities that the Green Paper now seeks to enforce across entire industry.  

The power of data 

A standout proposal in the Green Paper is the introduction of Digital Product Passports containing information on a product’s provenance, testing credentials, safety and lifecycle data. Paul is confident that the timber sector is well placed to embrace this development. “We already have strengths in traceability. We know where our buildings are, and we know what went into them. Most are designed in 3D, so we can trace the entire design and supply chain.” 

However, he warns of potential pitfalls in how data is shared and interpreted. “The national library of evidence being proposed is a good idea in principle, but I think it’s going to be tricky,” he cautions. “There will be competition issues – people may not want their test data made public. And if it is, who accesses it, and how do we control their competence?” 

Paul offers the STA’s Fire In Use Pattern Book as an example. “It contains over 100 fire tests across about 30 structural elements. It’s freely available and widely used by architects and specifiers. But misinterpretation is a risk. It’s not in our interest for someone to take that data out of context.”  

Sustainability and standardisation 

While the reforms primarily address safety and compliance, Paul is adamant that sustainability must not be sidelined as the sector develops. “About 15 years ago, you couldn’t sell a timber frame without demonstrating it came from a sustainable source. That focus has faded over the last five years and we need to bring it back,” he says. 

The STA is now working to promote Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for all its members’ products, and the next 12 months will see a renewed push on proving the sustainability of products. “Circularity has a big part to play here,” Paul adds. “We need to think about reuse at end of life, not just burning materials. Take, for example, the new processes being developed for recovering MDF fibres – that time is coming.” 

Paul also voices strong support for continued alignment with European standardisation processes. “The green paper highlighted that a lot of products don’t currently sit within harmonised standards, which creates uncertainty in the marketplace. The EU is working on filling the gaps in harmonised standards, and the UK shouldn’t walk away from that. If the UK tried to build its own standardisation programme, we couldn’t finance it or resource it.” 

Paul makes it clear that if certain construction products require higher levels of testing or oversight, the manufacturers and trade associations shouldn’t resist. “We’re not going to defend anyone who doesn’t have the evidence to back up their claims,” he explains. “STA Assure makes sure that evidence is there and good practice must be enforced within our membership. 

“You can’t argue with the idea of giving people redress when things go wrong,” says Paul. “The industry has to look at itself and say: ‘We need to do better going forward’.”  

Cultural change 

The Green Paper represents more than just regulatory adjustment; it calls for a cultural reset across the construction industry. Paul believes the Construction Code for Product Information (CCPI) is emblematic of this shift. The CCPI sets out a voluntary code of conduct designed to improve the clarity and quality of information being provided about construction products.  

Paul says: “The CCPI is a good thing – even if it’s voluntary for now. But if the sector doesn’t take it seriously, the government will step in. We welcome it because it’s about making claims we can support, and making sure we don’t overstep.” 

The construction industry is watching closely as the Green Paper moves toward becoming a White Paper later this year. In the meantime, organisations like the STA are already laying the groundwork for a safer, more accountable, and more sustainable future. Paul believes the industry must act now, not simply to comply with regulation, but to lead the way in setting higher standards. “We’ve done good stuff already,” he reflects, “but there’s always more you can do.” 

www.structuraltimber.co.uk