More time to capitalise on Part G marketing opportunity

Delayed implementation of changes to Part G of the Building Regulations (Sanitation, hot water safety and water efficiency) gives manufacturers more time to capitalise on the marketing opportunities it presents.

Earlier this year Monthly Briefing reported how Part G of the Building Regulations (Sanitation, hot water safety and water efficiency) and its Approved Document were due to come into force at the start of October 2009. This is now to be delayed until 6 April 2010, the next common commencement date.

Industry commentators point out that Part G is a PR gift to manufacturers whose products are already compliant, as it gives them a head start over those that are not. theNBS.com advertisers are being advised to flag their compliance wherever possible. Recent ABCe audit figures show that the site attracts over 52,000 unique users. Advertisers within RIBA Product Selector's technical pages are likewise being encouraged to include reference to Part G in all relevant sections as it likely to be uppermost in specifiers' minds.

The revised Part G features enhanced hot water safety and efficiency measures for all new homes, with inbuilt protection from hot water scalding in baths using protective devices to limit water temperature. It also introduces a new minimum standard of 125 litres of water per person per day.

The delay was caused because the department of Communities and Local Government (CLG) was required to notify the European Commission of the guidance contained within the accompanying draft Approved Document G (because the Directive is primarily about preventing barriers to trade). On 3 September the department received a 'detailed opinion' back from the Commission with a number of comments on the draft. This forced a three-month 'standstill' period, prohibiting the CLG from introducing the Approved Document before 2 December 2009. The department therefore had to amend the regulations so as to delay their coming into force until 6 April 2010 (the next common commencement date).

The official line from the CLG is that it is currently considering the comments received from Europe and that it is working to resolve them quickly. The CLG hopes to issue a final Approved Document as far in advance of the proposed commencement date as possible. Details of both the EC opinion and CLG's response to it remain confidential.

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