Two building control companies have been sanctioned following minor breaches of the code of conduct for approved inspectors.
Building Consents Ltd and Integral Building Control Solutions Ltd faced separate disciplinary hearings following complaints lodged with the Health and Safety Executive.
A disciplinary panel hearing on 14 August upheld five alleged breaches against Building Consents Ltd relating to laws and regulations compliance, professional obligations, standards of service, professional skill and professional standards.
The disciplinary panel imposed a minor breach sanction (level 1) against Building Consents Ltd until 19 September 2025.
A disciplinary panel also upheld five alleged breaches against Integral Building Control Solutions Ltd. The breaches related to clauses on integrity, standards of service, professional skills and diligence, industry best practice and upholding the reputation of the profession.
The disciplinary panel imposed a minor breach sanction (level 1) against Building Control Solutions Ltd until 25 September 2025.
From CICAIR to HSE
The introduction of the new building safety regime through the Building Safety Act 2022 made the HSE, through the Building Safety Regulator, responsible for regulating registered building inspectors and building control bodies.
On 1 October 2024 – the end of the new regime transition period – HSE replaced the Construction Industry Council Approved Inspectors Register (CICAIR) as the body responsible for approving inspectors.
Registered building inspectors, whether individuals or companies, must follow a code of conduct setting out standards around honesty, integrity, competency and accountability.
A breach of the code of conduct, or conduct which brings the profession into disrepute, may lead to disciplinary action, including registration cancellation.
Although CIC’s Approved Inspectors Register no longer exists, sanctions against approved inspectors that are now registered building control approvers remain published until the expiry of the sanction.
Last year, Harwood Building Control Approved Inspectors Ltd received a moderate breach sanction (level 2) following a disciplinary hearing after a complaint against the company was lodged with the now-defunct CICAIR.
The sanction against Harwood Building Control Approved Inspectors Ltd will expire on 10 August 2025.
A previous version of this article noted that the sanctions were given by the BSR. This reference was removed as the BSR wasn’t still responsible for regulating the building control profession when the complaints against the companies were lodged.
An excellent and timely piece of work. With particular regard to skills, my experience for a number of years when trying to boost training was the geographic challenge – expanding beyond Cardiff was always difficult and too often the easy option was to suggest piggy backing on projects in Chester or Liverpool. Let us hope that the growing realisation that supporting and encouraging localism generates employment and appropriate housing and infrastructure will result in practical and pragmatic decisions.