Building Regulations etc. (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2023
England-focused reference checklist
Editorial source review: 2026-10-17
https://saeedazarshab.com/articles/england-building-regulations/building-regulations-amendment-2023/

INDEPENDENT GUIDANCE — not project-specific legal/design advice or a compliance certificate. Check the official current requirements and applicable transition.

This instrument introduced England's building-regulations dutyholder and competence framework, including client, designer and contractor duties. Its principal designer and principal contractor roles concern building-regulations compliance. They are distinct from the similarly named CDM roles, even if appropriately competent organisations hold both appointments.

WHAT TO CHECK
[ ] Determine the applicable client duties, including the different arrangements for domestic clients.
[ ] Make required principal appointments in writing and state whether each covers Building Regulations, CDM or both.
[ ] Assess individual skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours, and organisational capability where relevant.
[ ] Provide relevant building information and a workable coordination process before design or construction progresses.
[ ] Review compliance, competence, resources and any higher-risk status changes throughout the project.

RECORDS TO KEEP
- Appointment letters with clearly separated statutory scopes.
- Proportionate competence assessments, capability evidence and supervision arrangements.
- Coordination decisions, compliance reviews and notices of appointment changes where required.

WHEN TO GET SPECIALIST HELP
Resolve appointment gaps, competence concerns or conflicting compliance advice with the client and competent professional advisers before affected work proceeds.

SCOPE AND EDITION
Sources reviewed 17 October 2026. Applies to England; check transitional arrangements and the current amended parent regulations. Do not limit the general dutyholder framework to higher-risk buildings.

OFFICIAL SOURCES
2023 England amendment regulations
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2023/911/contents

Design and building work: meeting building requirements
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/design-and-building-work-meeting-building-requirements

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0, except where otherwise stated. Original practical summary by Saeed Azarshab.
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/