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Approved Document L Changes - what does it mean?


The Department for Levelling Up, Homes and Communities (DLUHC) has published the new Approved Documents for Part L (Conservation of Fuel & Power) and F (Ventilation) of the Building Regulations in England to reflect


the interim uplift in thermal performance required as we head towards net zero by 2050. Following two major


consultations - the Future Homes Standards and Future Buildings Standard - ministers have decided


on stricter regulations for new homes that mean builders have to achieve a 31% improvement in carbon emissions against the 2013 version of Part L.


The Approved Documents give guidance on the incremental


BMF meets MP’s about Net Zero


Policies and progress on reducing emissions by 2050 were discussed at the pre-Christmas meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Net Zero. Brett Amphlett represented the BMF in the House of Commons for the launch of the APPG’s Net Zero Roadmap. The Chairman, Alex Sobel MP (Leeds North West) who - with other speakers like WS Atkins, the report’s sponsor - explained what MPs and Peers want from the UK Government.


The APPG’s Ten-Point Net Zero Action Plan calls on ministers to develop a clear and systematic roadmap for sustainable delivery


Of direct relevance to BMF members are demands to overhaul building standards and incentives to ensure that existing and new buildings are brought in line with net zero - including by encouraging and (where necessary) mandating the use of low carbon materials, low emissions’ heating and retrofits to existing homes.


of net zero, at scale, that clarifies urgent short-term priorities, sets interim (5-year) targets and includes robust implementation, review & governance arrangements.


APPGs are a good way for us to reach parliamentarians and Brett also met Alan Whitehead MP, the Shadow Minister (who has previously visited Elliott Brothers in his Southampton constituency) and Caroline Lucas, the Green Party MP.


Four new BMF zero carbon champions named metrics that enables the sector to


Four members of the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) were announced as Zero Carbon Business Champions in the first assessment round of 2022. GPH Builders Merchants, John A Stephens Ltd, Northstone Group and SIG Trading Ltd were amongst the eight companies whose proposals were assessed and approved by the CO2nstruct Zero programme team CO2nstruct Zero is a


Construction Leadership Council (CLC) initiative that brings together organisations that are demonstrating leadership in relation to carbon reduction, sharing their best practice with others across the UK construction sector and providing a set of


collectively measure its progress to Net Zero.


Since its launch in last Spring, over 60 Business Champions – including 24 BMF member companies – have committed to targeted carbon reduction and to provide details of how they are achieving this to help others on their journey.


Congratulating the BMF’s latest Zero Carbon champions, BMF CEO John Newcomb said: “There has never been greater attention on climate change and


February 2022 www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net


carbon reduction and everyone involved in the built environment has a huge role to play. CO2nstruct Zero has provided a standard for the whole industry to get behind and I am delighted that BMF members are continuing to demonstrate their commitment to the programme.” The CLC runs an ongoing monthly application programme for Zero Carbon Business Champion status. If any BMF member would like to be considered, please email June. Upton@bmf.org.uk for full details.


step-changes necessary for the industry. The changes to Part L cover both new residential and non-residential buildings - as well as extensions and refurbishments to existing properties. It comes into effect in England on 15 June this year - except where a building notice has been given, or full plans have been submitted to local councils. But these new regulations will apply to all projects regardless from 15 June 2023.


The DLUHC has also published details of a new Approved Document for Part O to mitigate overheating in residential buildings. The BMF contributed to the FHS consultation and you can find the new Approved Documents on energy efficiency, ventilation and overheating here: https://www.gov.uk/ government/consultations/ the-future-buildings-standard


BMF DIARY DATES


In light of the continuous changes to events due to COVID-19 precautions, please check the BMF website at www. bmf.org.uk for all the latest news and events updates in this ever-changing environment.


welcome the following new members:


The BMF


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