Nine years on from the Grenfell Tower tragedy, the Door & Hardware Federation (DHF) has reflected on the changes that have taken place across the construction and built environment sectors, while highlighting the continued work needed to improve building safety standards across the UK.
The Grenfell Tower fire in June 2017 claimed 72 lives and exposed serious failings across parts of the construction, product testing and regulatory system. On 19th May 2026, the BBC reported that police and prosecutors are considering potential criminal charges against up to 57 individuals and 20 organisations connected to the disaster. Possible offences include gross negligence manslaughter, corporate manslaughter, fraud and breaches of health and safety legislation. The report also highlighted findings from the Grenfell Inquiry, which identified failures in oversight, testing, accountability and product information across parts of the sector.
Since the tragedy, the construction and built environment industries have undergone significant regulatory and cultural change, with a stronger focus on accountability, competence, compliance, product information and resident safety. The Building Safety Act has reshaped responsibilities across the sector, placing greater accountability on clients, designers, contractors and those responsible for managing higher risk buildings.
The Building Safety Regulator has introduced stronger oversight and enforcement powers, alongside increased emphasis on maintaining accurate building information throughout a building's lifecycle through the golden thread approach. There is also greater scrutiny of construction products, including testing, certification, traceability and ongoing compliance. In addition, there is wider recognition that product performance must be supported by competent installation, maintenance and inspection.
"The Grenfell tragedy changed the conversation around building safety," explains DHF’s Deputy CEO, Patricia Sowsbery-Stevens. "The Inquiry findings and the recent developments regarding potential criminal charges reinforce the importance of accountability, transparency and competence across the entire supply chain. One of the clearest lessons from Grenfell is that safety cannot depend on assumptions or uneven responsibility. Everyone involved has an important role to play in ensuring products are correctly specified, tested, installed and maintained."
DHF continues to work with government departments, regulators, certification bodies and industry stakeholders to support the implementation of ongoing reforms. The Federation has submitted feedback to the Government's consultation on Construction Products Reform and continues to engage with proposals linked to the Building Safety Regulator and wider product reform programmes. DHF is also preparing comments on BS 8670-2 and gathering feedback from members to inform its response. The proposed reforms represent one of the most significant changes to construction product regulation in decades. Current proposals place greater emphasis on product traceability, accurate product information, digital record keeping, testing, certification and accountability throughout the supply chain.
"We are seeing a much greater focus on evidence-based compliance, product traceability and demonstrable competence across the sector," continues Patricia. "There is also increased demand for third-party certification, audited processes and stronger quality assurance. Organisations are expected to demonstrate clear systems for risk management, training and ongoing monitoring."
With its regulatory engagement work, DHF is also continuing to support members through technical guidance, training programmes and competency development initiatives. This summer, the Federation will launch its newABBE Level 2 Certificate in Core Competencies: Understanding Building Hardware
. The programme has been designed to address knowledge gaps and improve technical understanding and compliance awareness relating to building hardware products. DHF has also contributed to the development of competence frameworks covering the installation of metal doorsets, industrial doors and shutters, and automated gates. These frameworks help define the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for safe and compliant installation.
"Competence is now central to regulatory expectations across the built environment," concludes Patricia. "Compliance must be ongoing, evidence-based and supported by properly trained people throughout the supply chain. DHF remains fully committed to supporting the industry through guidance, training, technical leadership and competency development to help create safer buildings for everyone."
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