About this CPD Resource
Responsibilities of the Principal Designer under both CDM 2015 and the new Building Regulations Principal Designer role introduced by the Building Safety Act 2022.
The Building Safety Act 2022 created a new Principal Designer role under Building Regulations — separate from and additional to the CDM Principal Designer role. Architects are frequently appointed to both roles, but the duties and competence requirements are distinct. RIBA has developed specific guidance and CPD including the mandatory Health and Safety Test which came into force in January 2025.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the distinct CDM and Building Regulations PD roles
- Discharge Building Regulations PD duties at each RIBA stage
- Manage design risk effectively under CDM 2015
- Understand competence requirements for the PD role
Who Is This Suitable For?
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Why This CPD Matters
The regulatory framework governing construction in the UK has undergone more change in recent years than at any time since the introduction of the current Building Regulations regime. The Building Safety Act 2022 — the most significant piece of construction legislation in a generation — has introduced new roles, new duties and new accountability mechanisms that affect everyone in the construction supply chain. Alongside this, updates to the Approved Documents covering energy efficiency (Part L), ventilation (Part F), overheating (Part O) and fire safety (Part B) have changed the technical standards that new buildings must meet.
Keeping pace with regulatory change is a professional obligation for construction practitioners. Advising clients or designing buildings based on outdated regulatory knowledge can result in buildings that fail to achieve compliance, costly remediation work and, in serious cases, professional liability. This CPD from Royal Institute of British Architects provides the regulatory knowledge that construction professionals need to practise confidently in the current environment.
Key Topics and Industry Context
The regulatory landscape for UK construction covers a wide range of legal and technical requirements. Building Regulations set the minimum technical standards for the design and construction of buildings in England (with separate but similar regimes in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland). Planning legislation and policy — including the National Planning Policy Framework, local planning policies and permitted development rights — governs what can be built and where. The Building Safety Act 2022 has introduced specific requirements for higher-risk buildings including a new regulatory gateway process, a safety case regime and requirements for the maintenance of a golden thread of information throughout the building's lifecycle.
This resource from Royal Institute of British Architects addresses regulatory knowledge that is directly applicable to construction practice. Construction professionals who maintain current regulatory knowledge are better placed to advise clients accurately, design compliant buildings and manage the regulatory process efficiently.
How This Fits Your CPD Requirements
Regulatory knowledge is a core competency requirement for most construction professional bodies. RIBA's mandatory core curriculum includes legal, regulatory and statutory compliance as a required topic area. RICS requires members to maintain competency in relevant legislation and regulation. CIOB includes understanding of building regulations and construction law in its competency framework. Architectural technologists (CIAT) are required to demonstrate competency in legislation and regulation as one of their 10 core competency areas. Structured CPD on regulations and law from recognised providers is recognised as valid formal CPD by all major construction professional bodies.