The Building Safety Act in Scotland

Scotland has its own building safety system and has been implementing reforms since the Grenfell Tower tragedy. The Scottish Government has been proactive in reviewing and enhancing its building safety measures, with some existing systems already incorporating elements similar to those in the UK Building Safety Act.

In February 2021, Scotland introduced new fire safety standards for high-rise buildings, including mandatory installation of sprinklers in certain new-build properties and social housing. The Building (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2022 further enhanced fire safety measures, particularly for cladding systems on high-rise buildings.

While Scotland maintains its own regulatory framework, certain aspects of the UK Act, such as the Construction Products Regulator, will have a UK-wide remit including Scotland. The Scottish Government continues to monitor developments in England and considers which elements might be beneficial to adopt or adapt for Scottish circumstances.