Building Safety Regulator established under UK health and safety law: implications for duty holders and compliance

Building Safety Regulator established under UK health and safety law: clear business implications for duty holders and compliance professionals

What has changed

These Regulations establish the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) and transfer building safety functions from the Health and Safety Executive to the new regulator for the Building Safety Act 2022 framework. The change formalises a dedicated enforcement and oversight role for high risk buildings, with the BSR responsible for setting standards, supervising governance and ensuring information continuity across safety regimes. The transfer clarifies where accountability sits for building safety and aligns regulatory activity with the act’s objectives.

Who is affected

Duty holders in England involved in building safety oversight — including owners, managers and operators of high risk buildings, construction and property management organisations, developers and contractors — will be directly affected by the transfer of oversight to the Building Safety Regulator. Health and safety professionals and compliance leads should recognise the shift in primary responsibility and adapt internal governance accordingly.

Why this matters

The creation of a dedicated regulator strengthens accountability and governance around building safety. It reinforces the need for robust risk management, clear ownership of building safety information, and proactive engagement with residents and other stakeholders. For organisations, this signals a higher level of regulatory scrutiny for building safety outcomes and an expectation that information flows and safety management processes are maintained to a publishable standard.

Key duties for organisations

Organisations should prioritise:

1. Identify any higher risk buildings and establish who holds ultimate responsibility for building safety governance
2. Review and strengthen risk management and safety information systems to support the regulator’s expectations
3. Ensure competent safety advice and appropriate professional oversight
4. Update risk assessments and safe operating procedures to reflect the new oversight regime
5. Engage with residents and other stakeholders to meet transparency and communication expectations
6. Align health and safety management with ISO 45001 and consider Synergos consultancy support for gap analysis and improvement

For practical support in implementing a systematic approach to risk management and regulatory compliance, you may consult ISO 45001 occupational health and safety management.

Meta description: The establishment of the Building Safety Regulator signals a dedicated focus on Building Safety Act 2022 compliance across England, with expectations for governance and information management.

building-safety-regulator-establishment-uk

In summary, organisations should act promptly to map affected assets, align governance and ensure effective risk management so that building safety obligations are demonstrably managed.