UK Government consults on construction product data measures

Following the 2017 Grenfell disaster and the subsequent public inquiry, digital product passports and a National Construction Library holding construction product information have been proposed in a recent UK Government Green Paper (see also 27 February 2025 BIMplus article), with consultation open until 21 May 2025. Nima is considering a response to the consultation, and also wants to encourage others with relevant interests to consider their own responses.

The Green Paper was the first formal government response to the Independent Review of the Construction Product Testing Regime, undertaken by former government chief construction adviser Paul Morrell and lawyer Anneliese Day. It says “it is essential that all stakeholders can access clear and credible product information to make informed decisions regarding construction materials.” It goes on to note (Chapter 4) that many of its objectives would be achieved by mirroring the European Union’s Construction Products Regulation, which came into force on 7 January 2025 and incorporates requirements for digital product passports (DPPs).

Speaking to BIMplus, Patricia Massey, digital and technology manager at nima-affiliated BEAMA (the UK manufacturing trade association for the electrotechnical sector), welcomed the government’s approach:

“I’m encouraged to see the green paper highlight the value of DPPs and the indispensable role every economic operator could play with clear responsibilities. This consultation could pave the way for a safer, more accountable and innovative construction products framework. Notably, its welcome focus on alignment with European regulations to avoid divergence is a balanced, forward-thinking approach that inspires confidence in our industry.”

Chapter 7 of the Green Paper focuses on the need for clear accessible information, and discusses the detail of both DPPs and a proposed construction library. The latter would provide “reliable information on data from tests and other relevant information for designers and regulators”. The document then says the library “could fulfil a valuable role as a trusted source for all those that need access to information about the safe and appropriate use of products, whether that’s industry professionals, the general public or the national regulator.” It concludes its discussion of this area with a question: “What information would it be useful to include in a construction library and who would it benefit?“

(Several nima and bSUKI volunteers and colleagues from related organisations attended a UCL-led Data and Interoperability Infrastructure for Circular Construction workshop in London on 25 April 2025. Particularly relevant to the DPPs consultation, Dr Kell Jones from UCL gave a presentation about the Building Passport Alignment project. This is looking at how “standardising building-level datapoints can simplify ESG reporting procedures”, and has some useful resources, including a white paper. And, like at the Cyber Physical Infrastructure forum on 31 March 2025 [news], there was discussion of open, interoperable standards, connecting siloes, and the need for ‘system of systems’ thinking about the built environment.)