Paul Newman, Technical Director at Structural Timber Association (STA) talks raising standards: what the Green Paper means for housebuilders
The UK Government’s 2025 Construction Products Reform Green Paper is set to transform the construction industry. For the structural timber sector, it offers a challenge and a chance to lead the way in responsible, sustainable, and high-performance construction.
The Green Paper’s proposals demand more accountability when it comes to environmental and safety regulations. The changes described present an opportunity to demonstrate that by building in timber – using responsibly sourced, properly tested, and expertly applied products and systems – we can move towards a low-carbon, digitally-enabled and effectively regulated future.
The risk-based approach to regulation acknowledges that not all applications carry the same level of risk. This ensures structural timber systems are judged on performance, not perception. Timber’s sustainability credentials position the sector favourably as environmental performance becomes embedded in product procurement routines and hopefully future regulation. Housebuilders will need verified evidence of sustainability through forest certification, chain of custody and life cycle assessments that include sequestered carbon.
Strengthened testing and certification requirements will raise quality standards across the entire industry and we welcome this. We support this and continue to enhance our STA Assure scheme to ensure that only products with proven performance credentials reach construction sites.
Accountability across the supply chain will increase, making distributors, merchants and importers responsible parties. With the right response, this will build trust and strengthen UK supply chains and manufacturers. At the same time, digital transformation will improve product data and performance assurance.
As regulations evolve, investing in skills development becomes critical. The STA is working hard alongside stakeholders to provide users of structural timber with technical knowledge at the correct level that will support them with their compliance and sustainability reporting.
The STA welcomes the changes proposed in the Green Paper and believes the changes will mean greater confidence of performance, better quality, and stronger environmental credentials for housebuilders. Ultimately, our industry will provide safer, more sustainable homes.
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