Responding to the launch of the government’s Building Regulations consultation package, the Construction Products Association is encouraged by the initial proposals, as they reflect many of the points which industry has been pressing for. However, the Association stresses that changes will be needed in 2013, if the zero carbon homes target for 2016, is to be achieved.
Commenting on the package, John Tebbit, Industry Affairs Director at the Association, said: ‘The manufacturers and suppliers are already focused on providing the products and solutions necessary to achieve these improvements but recognise that a delay to the implementation until October 2013 was inevitable given the delay in issuing this consultation.’
One of the other key proposals in the consultation document is the proposed introduction of consequential improvements and linking these to the Green Deal. Commenting on this, Tebbit added: ‘Key to the success of the proposals on consequential improvements is ensuring that the Green Deal is delivered in a cost effective and consumer friendly way and much still needs to be done to achieve this. Green Deal must be seen as a way of helping deliver these improvements and not an additional burden.
‘This package of proposals will have a significant impact on many of our members and we will be considering the implications very carefully before giving the government our detailed response.
‘However, one major concern that has not been resolved is the continuing saga of SAP and SBEM governance and development. Despite the problems at the last revision of Part L, we are yet again in the unsatisfactory position of having concurrent consultations on SAP and a Part L consultation using a not yet finalised version known as cSAP. We have made proposals for industry to take on more responsibility for SAP and SBEM development, but we need DECC and DCLG to take action, otherwise these problems will recur in three years time.’