The Grenfell Tower tragedy exposed a construction product safety system that was simply not fit for purpose. The public inquiry revealed a regulatory regime failing to ensure that building materials, whether used on their own or as part of a system, were safe for the people who rely on them.
Since then, a wave of reviews and reports — from Building a Safer Future: Final Report to the Independent Review of Product Testing and Certification (the Morrell-Day Review) — have called for urgent reform of construction product testing, certification, and supply chain transparency. The message was clear: stronger rules, tougher testing, and a culture shift towards accurate, honest information were essential.
In February 2025, the UK government responded with its Construction Product Reform Green Paper, setting out proposals for a system that guarantees safe products, safely used.
Against this backdrop, the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has teamed up 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) to launch a brand-new Guide to Products Critical to Safe Construction.
A practical resource for safer building
This isn’t just another policy document. The Guide is a practical resource for designers, specifiers, and installers who need to make safe, compliant product choices. It covers:
- How to select safe and compliant building products
- How to assess systems holistically to ensure overall safety
- How to spot misleading construction product claims
- Industry best practice, including examples from the CCPI
- Real-world case studies that showcase compliant, high-performing solutions
By providing clear guidance and reliable resources, the Guide aims to cut through marketing hype and help the industry make safer, smarter decisions.
Building trust, building safety
The mission is simple: ensure that the buildings we design and construct — and the construction products within them — are safe for everyone, now and for generations to come.
The Guide is available exclusively in digital format, making it easy to access, share, and update as regulations and best practice evolve.
Click here to download the Guide
Read next: Driving the next phase of digital transformation in AECO – Build in Digital
Are you a building professional? Sign up for a FREE MEMBERSHIP to upload news stories, post job vacancies, and connect with colleagues on our secure social feed.