NEW UK WIDE STANDARD FOR MMC

Boost for modern homebuilding as government launches work with industry to set UK-wide standard

• Government will work with British Standards Institution to develop a new standard for homes built using modern methods of construction
• The new standard will reduce costs and enable the industry to grow
• New industry working groups to advise the government, ahead of a full consultation later this year 

More high quality new-build homes will be delivered through modern homebuilding, as the Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities today (24 January) announced it has commissioned a new UK-wide standard for Modern Methods of Construction that will boost the sector.

Modern Methods of Construction are used by many homebuilders to deliver energy efficient homes more quickly, reducing waste while also creating a wider range of jobs in the construction sector.

The government has commissioned the British Standards Institution to develop a universally recognised standard for homes built using Modern Methods of Construction. This will reduce costs and allow more people to benefit from the technology – delivering more homes across the country and helping thousands of young people and families onto the housing ladder.

This week, industry representatives will come together for the first in a series of working groups to inform the new guidance and share best practise for using Modern Methods of Construction in areas such as manufacturing, logistics, design, and assembly of homes.

The move forms part of the government’s ambition to boost innovation in homebuilding and deliver more quality, future-proofed homes that communities across the country need.

The Housing Minister Lucy Frazer said:

“We want to help homebuilding step into the future. This means embracing the latest technology to deliver more high quality, energy efficient homes for generations to come.

“Our work with the British Standards Institution and the wider industry will help to do just that – allowing more homebuilders to take up modern methods of construction, creating new jobs and homes across the country”

Anthony Burd, Head of Built Environment at British Standards Institution Knowledge Solutions said:

“The British Standards Institution looks forward to working with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and industry on this hugely important standard. As society’s needs change and in light of the role all of us have to play on the road to Net Zero, improving levels of building safety and ensuring better design – Modern Methods of Construction will be key to meeting these future challenges.

“The standard will provide essential requirements and guidance for best practice in the residential building sector and much needed assurance for the growing off-site sector.”

The government will also be inviting key stakeholders to specialist advisory groups, before launching a consultation on the proposals later this year.

The new requirements will be introduced by the British Standards Institution via a Publicly Available Specification. This specification will set out the recommended technical standards when building homes using a range of Modern Methods of Construction categories, as well as defining quality assurance and compliance processes for the sector.

A universally recognised standard will help increase choice and access to product warranties, insurance and mortgages – reducing costs for homebuilders and consumers when using Modern Methods of Construction. The changes aim to encourage greater adoption of Modern Methods of Construction, by levelling the playing field with traditional homebuilding.

Further Information:

• The British Standard Institution will run working groups with 30 industry stakeholders to begin the process of developing the Publicly Available Specification for Modern Methods of Construction homebuilding. The first three working groups will run on 24, 25 and 31 January.
• The government will also run specialist advisory groups with key stakeholders as part of this process.
• A wider range of stakeholders will then be invited to comment on the Publicly Available Specification during a formal consultation process later this year.
• More information on Modern Methods of Construction is available in the definition framework here.