Stephen Garvin

The updated versions of the Building Standards Procedural Handbook and the Building Standards Enforcement Handbook have now been published on the Scottish Government website, accessible at gov.scot/policies/build…

Share your views to help improve fire safety in Scotland. Consultation closes 10 April.

Building warrant fees will be changing from 1 April 2026, marking the final stage of the 3-year building warrant fee model to support changes introduced through the Futures Board Programme to strengthen the building standards system in Scotland. Read more blogs.gov.scot/building-stand…

The April 2026 Technical Handbooks are now published, applying to building warrant applications from 6 April 2026. Updates reflect Simon and Richard’s Law and revised guidance on fire safety, flood risk and accessible entrances. More info: gov.scot/policies/build…

Upcoming technical guidance changes will strengthen fire safety, improve resilience to flooding, and drive energy efficiency for a more sustainable future. Read more blogs.gov.scot/building-stand…

The Scottish Government has launched a Call for Evidence to review Section 2 (Fire) of Building Standards, a key commitment in our response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s final report. Share your views to help improve fire safety in Scotland. Read more gov.scot/publications/s…

Russell Watson of the Scottish Building Standards Hub has written a guest blog on 'A Year of Learning and Development Progress at the Scottish Building Standards Hub'. Read more blogs.gov.scot/building-stand…

We have been working to strengthen building standards compliance with the development of the Compliance Plan Approach (CPA). This follows recommendations by Professor John Cole, and the Building Standards Compliance & Enforcement Review Panel. Read more blogs.gov.scot/building-stand…

A consultation on proposed updates to Building Standards guidance on Flooding and groundwater focusing on property flood resilience is now live and will close on 3 October. The consultation can be accessed at consult.gov.scot/housing-and-so…

For almost three decades, representatives of the Scottish building standards community have worked with European colleagues to promote and develop building regulations. Read more blogs.gov.scot/building-stand…

Have your say. The customer satisfaction survey of certification customers closes this Wednesday.

The revised Building Standards Procedural Handbook Version 1.8 includes the revised table of fees applicable to all building warrant applications. The handbook takes effect from 1 April 2025 onwards. Read more gov.scot/publications/b…

We have released a new version of the eBStds Fee Calculator to reflect the changes in BStds Fees that came into effect this morning. This can be accessed through the usual pathway on eBStds.

Building warrant fees in Scotland are changing from 1 April 2025 in support of the changes introduced through the Futures Board Programme to strengthen the building standards system in Scotland. Read more blogs.gov.scot/building-stand…

Learn more about the new role to strengthen building standards in Scotland ww3.rics.org/uk/en/journals…

The public consultation on the review of fire safety closes today. Have your say.

Consultation closes 7 March

Certification Customer Survey blogs.gov.scot/building-stand… This year marks 20 years of certification in Scotland. As part of the Futures Board Programme Building Standards Division are carrying out a survey of customers using certification to understand how the system is working.

Have your say! A customer satisfaction survey of Certification customers is currently live. Read more blogs.gov.scot/building-stand…

A public consultation on the review of fire safety topics including Cameron House hotel recommendations is now live and will close 7 March 2025. The consultation can be accessed at consult.gov.scot/local-governme…