The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has announced plans to revise its approach to Building Assessment Certificates (BACs) for occupied higher-risk buildings, moving towards what it describes as a more "proportionate", "intelligence-led" and "risk-based" assessment model.
The changes follow concerns about assessment times being “twice as long as initially expected”, a 66% refusal rate (so far this year) and duty holders struggling to navigate the requirements.
Under the proposed approach, the BSR will initially focus on organisations responsible for multiple higher-risk buildings, undertake targeted interventions based on risk or information and provide additional support. It says that the assessment criteria will be simplified and clear technical guidance will be developed.
While the BAC process may be revised, the legal duties of principal accountable persons and accountable persons under the Building Safety Act 2022 remain unchanged.
The announcement will be welcomed by many in the sector and reflects a recognition that the current BAC regime has presented practical challenges for some building owners and managers.
Read the Government announcement: BSR to introduce more proportionate and targeted approach for higher-risk building assessments - GOV.UK
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