Few pieces of legislation have reshaped the UK construction industry as significantly as the Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA). Introduced to improve accountability, traceability and safety standards across the built environment, the legislation has fundamentally changed the responsibilities placed on architects, contractors and manufacturers. While the principles behind the Act are widely supported, the reality for architectural practices is proving more challenging than many anticipated.
New research from wienerberger UK reveals the extent to which architects are struggling under growing compliance demands, rising liability concerns and inconsistent product information. Published in the manufacturer’s latest whitepaper, The Cost of Compliance, the findings highlight an industry at a turning point, where greater transparency and independently verified product data are becoming essential to efficient project delivery.
Based on an independent survey of 80 UK architects, alongside insights from practices including Howells, KA—Architecture and Space Group, the report provides a snapshot of how the Building Safety Act is affecting architectural practice across the country.
An overwhelming 95% of architects surveyed reported an increase in compliance-related administrative tasks since the introduction of the legislation. On average, workloads have risen by 16%, while one in five respondents said their workload had increased by more than 25%.
For many practices, the biggest challenge lies in the amount of time now spent validating product information. Architects estimate they spend an additional 4 hours each week reviewing claims, certificates, and performance data to ensure products meet regulatory requirements. Based on average UK architectural day rates, that equates to approximately £16,700 in additional annual costs per employee.
These are substantial pressures in a sector already navigating tighter budgets and increasingly complex project requirements.
Alan McCartney, Partner at Howells, believes smaller firms are facing the greatest pressure.
“Larger firms are more likely to have the resources, time, and breadth of expertise to manage and adhere to the latest legislative changes. The challenge is for smaller or medium-sized practices, which face bigger hurdles in demonstrating that they have the necessary experience to meet compliance demands.”
The research suggests the real issue is the fragmented and inconsistent nature of product information available to architects.
According to the report, 58% of architects do not fully trust manufacturer product information. Respondents cited missing technical data, inconsistent documentation, and unclear testing evidence as major barriers to confidence in compliance. One architect surveyed noted that “sometimes the specifications look perfect on paper, but once we use the product on-site, it just doesn't perform the way it promised.”
In the context of the BSA, this lack of trust creates significant professional risk. Architects are now expected to maintain the “golden thread” of information throughout a building’s lifecycle, meaning every specification decision must be backed by robust evidence.
Unsurprisingly, this has fuelled growing anxiety around liability. The research found that 81% of architects are now more concerned about potential indemnity claims, while 88% agree that the BSA has contributed to rising liability pressures across the profession. Two-thirds of architects surveyed reported an increase in indemnity claims, either personally or within their practice, since the legislation came into force.
Kristofer Adelaide, Director of KA—Architecture, believes uncertainty around interpretation is adding further complexity.
“There is so much room for interpretation that you can read through the relevant documentation and genuinely not know if what you’re proposing is acceptable or not. It also means that one building control officer might approve something that another is quick to reject.”
As a result, many architects are becoming increasingly cautious in their approach to specification. Practices are narrowing product selections and relying heavily on manufacturers with established testing and compliance credentials.
Rob Charlton, CEO of Space Group, says product testing and certification have become central to specification decisions since the BSA’s introduction.
“The increased risks and responsibilities around product performance, testing and certification is an area of real focus and concern. At Space Group, we do not specify any non-tested products, and we select from a limited manufacturer and product range, focused on those with robust quality checks.”
This shift highlights an important evolution in the relationship between architects and manufacturers. Product performance alone is no longer enough. Increasingly, architects are looking for manufacturers that can provide transparency, traceability and confidence alongside technical capability.
This is where wienerberger is positioning itself as more than a material supplier. Through its research, digital tools and commitment to independently verified product information, the manufacturer is helping shape the wider conversation around compliance and accountability in the post-BSA era.
Central to this approach is the Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI), initiated by the Construction Products Association. The framework establishes standards for how manufacturers record, verify and communicate construction product information.
Many in the sector now view the CCPI as a potential “single source of truth” for product information, a role architects in the survey overwhelmingly called for.
In 2025, wienerberger became the first brick UK manufacturer to achieve CCPI assessment for its UK-manufactured bricks and pavers. The milestone reflects a broader commitment to improving transparency and making compliance easier for architects navigating complex regulatory requirements.
Importantly, this commitment extends beyond certification alone. wienerberger has also invested in digital tools and specification services designed to reduce the administrative burden on architects.
Its OneSpec service addresses one of the industry’s biggest frustrations: fragmented specification data spread across multiple suppliers and systems. By consolidating information for the entire building envelope into a single coordinated specification guide, the service enables architects to evaluate sustainability, technical performance, and compliance considerations in a single document.
Combined with BIM objects and digital documentation, this approach supports architects in maintaining the golden thread while streamlining project workflows.
The value of this integrated support is becoming increasingly clear. As compliance requirements continue to evolve, architects are not simply looking for products. They are looking for partners that can help reduce risk, improve efficiency and simplify decision-making.
Paul Instrell, Chief Commercial Officer at wienerberger UK & Ireland, believes collaboration will be critical to the industry’s future.
“While there is consistent support across the industry for the BSA, our research has exposed what we are hearing from architects daily — that they are losing time filling the gaps when it comes to product information.”
The Building Safety Act has undoubtedly transformed the construction landscape. Yet while the legislation has introduced new challenges, it has also created an opportunity for the industry to rethink how product information is managed, verified and shared.
For architects, the message from The Cost of Compliance is clear: transparency and trust are now fundamental to successful project delivery. For manufacturers, the challenge is to provide the clarity, accountability and technical support the industry increasingly demands.
As the sector adapts to this new reality, organisations leading the way on product transparency and collaborative compliance support are likely to play a defining role in shaping the future of safe, innovative and efficient building design together.
