The announcement follows the publication of a steering group report in June 2024 which had been set up to consider the issue. The steering group recommended that an independent central competent authority should be established to, amongst others:

• Strengthen the oversight role of the State in respect of the design and construction of buildings
• Strengthen the oversight of the marketing and use of construction products
• Reduce the risk of building failures and recurring defects
• Enhance public confidence in construction related activity

In order to achieve these objectives, a two stage approach was recommended, first by the establishment of Building Standards Agency, followed by the introduction of legislation to set up an independent Building Standards Regulatory Authority. It is envisaged that the new authority will have its own recruitment licence to hire Architects, Building Surveyors and Chartered Engineers to act as Building Control Officers. The steering group's recommendation to the Government is that the new authority "should act as a centre of best practice driving, promoting and fostering compliance, competency and consistency in building control and market surveillance systems and throughout the construction industry"

In an update published on 16 July 2024, the Government stated that the new authority "will not only drive compliance and strengthen oversight, but will also improve consistency and enhance public confidence in construction related activity".

It is unclear at this juncture when the new regulatory regime will be in place, however interested stakeholders and parties operating within the construction industry will no doubt be paying close attention to developments and future announcements by Government.