Since the Building Safety Act 2022 came into force, supply chain stakeholders have been responsible for ensuring a process is implemented to maintain accurate product safety information throughout the construction process. But what has arisen as a result of this legislation is important for all construction industry professionals to understand – particularly those involved in construction product manufacturing, design and development of any new buildings.
Summary of the Building Safety Act 2022
The purpose of the Act came from the Government’s commitment to the reform of the building safety system. Recommendations had been made in the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety by Dame Judith Hackitt in 2018. This review identified serious systematic issues learned from the Grenfell Tower tragedy, for which the Government accepted all findings and recommendations raised.
The Act not only relates to the improvement of safety of those inhabiting and in the vicinity of any buildings within the UK, but also to heighten quality standards of products, their use within buildings, and their lifecycle. It provides a clear-cut framework for the industry to abide by, with an aim to drive culture change within the and incentivise compliance.
The Building Safety Regulator established as part of the Act is the Health and Safety Executive.
All regulatory activities should be carried out in a transparent, accountable, proportionate and consistent manner.
The Act requires the creation and maintenance of a golden thread of information.
Why the golden thread of information is so important
The golden thread ensures building safety and risks are managed throughout the building lifecycle. This means stakeholders will have access to the most up-to-date information at the right time. The original design intent as well as subsequent changes are captured and preserved.
Information that’s held means those responsible can demonstrate compliance to the Building Safety Act 2022 and that they are carrying out their legal duties.
All this information must be stored digitally so it can be accessed and maintained easily across multiple systems. It is a single source of truth that is generated before the building work starts and maintained throughout the construction process. On completion of the work, all the data is then given to the person or organisation accountable for the building.
The challenges faced by the construction industry
Having accurate information that’s stored and accessible over time by multiple parties is not a simple process. There are many considerations that need to be made to ensure the golden thread fulfils its purpose.
Thousands of unique products, materials and components are used within each construction project – all of which need their own information accessible throughout their lifecycle. This information on every product type also needs to be accessed and maintained across multiple organisations and (at times) internationally.
But is there an industry standard for product identification and traceability?
According to GS1, over 2 million companies are currently using their standards across 200 million products. They are viewed by many construction companies as the “industry standard”, with uptake increasing across the world.
The concept of unique product identifiers means products and their locations within a project can be traced throughout the product lifecycle. A common unique identifier known as GTINs (Global Trade Item Numbers) uses scannable barcodes which hold all the information on that product. However, the application of the barcodes onto each product raises challenges:
- How can barcodes be printed onto each unit or pallet without it being removed or through wear?
- How can the barcodes be accessed once pallets are broken down and product units are in their intended location within a build?
- Are specialised scanners or tools required to read the barcodes?
Often strategies and systems need to be used in conjunction, with some companies opting for a combined approach using cloud-based systems, unique identifiers and RFID (Radio Frequency Identification). Whichever strategy is selected, it’s recommended that companies ensure the solution is right for their organisation’s individual needs.
How is product traceability being implemented across Europe?
In July 2025, the European Union (EU) enforced the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) which requires a digital record of materials, sustainability and origin throughout the product lifecycle.
To allow relevant stakeholders to contribute to the implementation of the ESPR, the Ecodesign Forum was created for the development of rules under the regulation.
The main initiative of the ESPR is the Digital Product Passport (DPP), designed to close the gap between consumer demands for transparency and lack of reliable product data.
Information held within the DPP includes:
- A unique product identifier
- Material composition and origin
- Compliance documentation
- Manuals
- Safety instructions
- Guidance on recycling and disposal
Being stored electronically means the information can be accessed by consumers, manufacturers and other stakeholders so informed decisions can be made.
A working plan was developed to prioritise the implementation of the ESPR with specific products and materials. This plan is expected to run until 2030, with a central Digital Product Passport Registry expected to be operational in summer 2026.
What does this mean for product traceability within the UK?
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government are holding a consolation for the Construction Products Reform White Paper. This consultation will run for 12 weeks until 20 May 2026.
This consultation presents proposals to reform the construction products regime. This includes proposals on mandatory requirements for construction products, measures to enhance regulatory framework, and digital solutions for enhanced product information.
To be consistent with the EU Construction Products Regulation (EU-CPR) and the standardisation being implemented with DPPs, the Government is exploring how standardisation and traceability measures, including DPPs or an equivalent system, can effectively deliver on objectives.
You can read more on the Construction Products Reform White Paper in our blog.
