APS has increased its sector-wide engagement to better support members in developing and maintaining professional competence. Each week, we’ll share an update from APS HQ so you can see the breadth of work being carried out for your benefit.

What’s been happening?

• On Thursday, APS CEO Andrew Leslie attended the SSIP Full Forum, where updates were provided by Chair Eleanor Eaton and representatives from the Audit, Training, Compliance & Impartiality, and SSIP Portal working groups. The Training Working Group reported strong engagement, while 35 complaints from member schemes were noted as having been received and resolved. A key highlight was the 45% growth in use of the SSIP Portal, with positive performance metrics across the board, including effective support for micro-organisations. It was also noted that the Core Criteria was updated in January 2026 alongside revisions to the SSIP Rules, and members were reminded to sign and return the SSIP Code of Conduct, which APS has completed.

• Also on Thursday, Sofie Hooper (APS DCEO) attended a CPB/1 meeting. CPB/1 is the main BSI committee looking at competence in the built environment. The Committee always receives an update on the key initiatives ongoing across the built environment and this time also welcomed the new MHCLG representatives that will sit on the Committee. One of the key discussion points was the use of Artificial Intelligence in assessment of competence, the risks associated with this, and how professional bodies manage this. Sofie also provided an update to the Committee on the forthcoming BS8770. This standard will subsume the guidance of the Industry Task and Finish Group on the management of competence in organisations into a measurable standard.

Recent updates that members should know about

Construction Leadership Council publishes its Mental Health Joint Code of Practice The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) published its Mental Health Joint Code of Practice (JCOP) last Monday, 15 June. The JCOP provides leaders and businesses across the sector with a framework to create an environment that fosters better mental health for their workforce.

The JCOP is available at CLC Mental Health Code of Practice V1

Details of how to sign up to the JCOP are available at CLC JCOP published sign up form

Public consultation for BS 8670-2 Built environment. Core criteria for construction product competence. Code of Practice

This draft British Standard describes core competence criteria for all individuals working with construction products and construction product information throughout its life cycle. It gives recommendations for applying these criteria to competence frameworks in the built environment sector, including for designers.

This British Standard is intended for use by those with responsibility for the development, maintenance or application of sector-specific competence frameworks for roles, functions, activities or tasks relating to construction products. Additionally, its scope is applicable to all construction products for the built environment and is not limited to individuals working on higher-risk buildings (HRBs). The deadline for feedback is Monday 13 July.

You can find the draft standard here: British Standards Institution - Project

Approved Document B consultation

A quick reminder to members that Approved Document B is currently out for consultation with the deadline for submission is nearing on Wednesday 1 July. Key amends proposed are to:

1. undertake small but important clarifications and technical changes to the guidance within Approved Document B
2. consolidate guidance for designing building work on existing buildings
3. introduce a threshold whereby the guidance within Approved Document B should not be applied when combustible elements of structure are used
4. revise and update guidance on external wall systems and balconies and review the scope of the ban on combustible materials in and on external walls
5. recommend the provision of evacuation lifts in residential buildings above 18m and clarify the guidance for non-residential buildings
6. update terminology on 'sheltered housing', introducing the new term 'specialised housing' in its place and include provisions for alarm coverage in these building types to be a minimum of Category LD1.
7. introduce updated guidance on roofs, including new provisions for the incorporation of photovoltaic (PV) panels
8. increase in the fire resistance rating of open-sided car parks

There are two parts to the consultation:

Volume 1: Dwellings

Volume 2: Buildings other than Dwellings - This is the consultation document which was changed on Tuesday 5 May. There are several key differences between this and the first Volume 2 consultation that was published on Wednesday 25 March, so please make sure to check you have the right document.

The link for the consultation survey can be found here.

Please do share your submission with APS so that we can leverage your voice.

What’s coming up this week? (22-28 June)

Meetings that APS is involved in this week include

• MHCLG public webinar on the call for evidence for the Professions Strategy
• ICSG - SLG2 Consultant Design - this Sector Led Group in the Industry Competence Steering Committee will be looking at competence across the roles and responsibilities of consultants acting as designers, whose activities include undertaking design, directing design development, assuring and communicating design intent, managing design risk, and coordinating and specifying construction products and systems.
• As Built Information Working Group – this group is working to get cross-sector consensus on what is understood under the term ‘As built’ Information, with a view to improving the quality of information received throughout construction and occupation.

We’ll continue to keep members updated on key developments and engagement across the industry as plans for 2026 take shape.

If you would like to contribute or share expertise on issues that matter to you, please contact APS HQ at info@aps.org.uk.