SAFETY & SECURITY 81
A new era for verifi cation & certifi cation
Mike Vaczi of SOPREMA discusses how recent legislative changes are fundamentally altering the construction industry’s approach to product verifi cation and certifi cation.
T
he construction industry stands at a turning point in regards to building safety and product verifi cation. Recent years have witnessed a raft of changes in how construction materials are evaluated and certifi ed, driven by events such as the Grenfell tragedy, and intensifying environmental imperatives. Combined, these shifts have changed the responsibilities of manufacturers, suppliers and contractors in ensuring building safety and sustainability. Today, the complexity of modern construction materials and systems demands robust verifi cation processes that extend far beyond traditional compliance frameworks. Every component in a building must work harmoniously with others while maintaining performance characteristics throughout its service life. This complexity multiplies when considering critical factors such as fi re safety, thermal performance and environmental impact – the result is an interconnected web of dependencies that requires a thorough understanding and documentation. Independent certifi cation plays a crucial role in providing confi dence to specifi ers and contractors. Third-party certifi cation provides reassurance to specifi ers that products have been tested to industry standards and will perform as stated, with independent evaluation giving confi dence that materials meet performance expectations and safety requirements. This need for robust verifi cation became painfully clear when the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety identifi ed fundamental weaknesses in product testing and certifi cation following the Grenfell tragedy. Publishing its fi ndings in 2018, the body found that many products and systems were not properly tested, which led to inappropriate or unsafe materials being used on buildings.
ADF OCTOBER 2025
Legislative framework driving change The Building Safety Act 2022 represents a watershed moment for the construction industry with the introduction of the ‘Golden Thread’ concept. This is a complete, structured and accessible digital record of safety critical building information that must be maintained from design and construction through to occupation. It underlines the importance of full-system testing, where all products and components are tested and certifi ed as part of the complete roofi ng or facade system they are intended to be installed within. For architects working on high-risk buildings – structures at least 18 metres in height or seven storeys tall containing two or more residential units – the Act establishes stringent requirements for product information and verifi cation.
Today, the complexity of modern construction materials and systems demands robust verifi cation processes that extend far beyond traditional compliance frameworks
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