The BWF and our members are regularly consulted by Government and other bodies on policies, standards, legislation and regulations affecting the woodworking and joinery industry.
Below is a list of open consultations that we believe will have an impact on our members and our industry as a whole.
| Organisation | Heading | Description | Closing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wales | Consultation on a reformed Decent Homes Standard for social and privately rented homes | This consultation considers decency standards for social and private rented sector housing. Section 1 describes the context and background for the consultation. • What is the Decent Homes Standard? • How is decency measured? • The DHS in social housing • The DHS in the private rented sector • Other existing standards and requirements o Housing Act 2004 o Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 • Wider housing quality reforms o Awaab’s Law o Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards o The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) Review o Renters’ Rights Bill The full consultation can be found here | 10 September 2025 |
| England and UK | A policy framework to grow the market for low carbon industrial products | The government is consulting on a framework to deliver the guidance, tools, and levers to help buyers identify and compare lower carbon industrial products, with an initial focus on the steel, cement, and concrete sectors. The government’s policies are expected to enable buyers (including public bodies who have substantial purchasing power) to make informed choices through better information on the carbon content of industrial goods. An increased demand signal should drive the growth and mobilisation of ‘green’ investment and ultimately lead to reduced greenhouse gas emissions. The government is consulting on a framework to deliver the guidance, tools, and levers to help buyers identify and compare lower carbon industrial products, with an initial focus on the steel, cement, and concrete sectors. The consultation is designed to gather views and evidence from stakeholders to facilitate the policy making process and does not constitute a statement of government policy. Following this consultation, further policy development will be needed before new policies are finalised. The government will continue engagement with stakeholders throughout this process. The consultation is anticipated to be of particular interest to stakeholders involved in the manufacture, sale or purchasing of in-scope products such as steel, cement, and concrete or stakeholders involved in the production and usage of life cycle assessments displayed in product carbon footprints or environment product declarations. Full Consultation can be found here | 15 September 2025 |
| England and UK | Improving the Energy Efficiency of Socially Rented Homes in England | This consultation seeks views on government’s proposal to set a minimum energy efficiency standard (MEES) for socially rented homes for the first time. The full consultation can be found here | 15 September 2025 |
| Northern Ireland | Public Consultation on the Plastic Pollution Plan for Northern Ireland | The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has launched a public consultation on the Plastic Pollution Plan for Northern Ireland to coincide with Plastic Free July. The consultation on the Plastic Pollution Plan for Northern Ireland does not create new policy, but rather details targets incorporated in existing policies and strategies across Northern Ireland and identifies the actions and activities taking place or planned that will contribute to a reduction in plastic pollution. Responses received from the public consultation will be considered in the development of the final Plastic Pollution Plan for Northern Ireland which will be published in due course. The full consultation can be found here | 24 September 2025 |
| Northern Ireland | Public Consultation on the Plastic Pollution Plan for Northern Ireland | The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has launched a public consultation on the Plastic Pollution Plan for Northern Ireland to coincide with Plastic Free July. The consultation on the Plastic Pollution Plan for Northern Ireland does not create new policy, but rather details targets incorporated in existing policies and strategies across Northern Ireland and identifies the actions and activities taking place or planned that will contribute to a reduction in plastic pollution. Responses received from the public consultation will be considered in the development of the final Plastic Pollution Plan for Northern Ireland which will be published in due course. The full consultation can be found here | 24 September 2025 |
| Scotland | Draft Environment Strategy: consultation | This consultation seeks your views on the draft Environment Strategy. The draft Strategy sets out a holistic framework for delivering Scotland’s role in tackling the global crises of nature loss, climate change and pollution. The full consultation can be found here | 29 September 2025 |
| Scotland | Scotland’s Fourth Land Use Strategy (LUS) | The LUS is a document that sets out our strategic direction and vision for sustainable land use in Scotland, and the objectives, policies and actions that will help deliver it. The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 requires Scottish Ministers, by law, to produce a Land Use Strategy every five years. The first Strategy was published in 2011, the second in 2016, the third in 2021 and the fourth will be published by the end of March 2026. Responses to the consultation paper will help inform the Scottish Government’s approach to the next LUS. The full consultation can be found here | 5 October 2025 |
| England and UK | Machinery safety legislation: call for evidence | EU Machinery Regulation 2023/1230 applies in the EU from January 2027, bringing in changes intended to clarify and future-proof the legislation in this area, including the creation of common specifications, a move to paperless documentation, and obligations on all actors in the supply chain. The Government is considering whether to introduce these measures across the UK. We are seeking views on the issues associated with the continued recognition of new EU product requirements for machinery, and the implementation of the same approach. The full call for evidence can be found here | 20 October 2025 |
| Scotland | Permitted development rights to support provision of new homes | The Scottish Government is exploring whether permitted development rights (“PDR”) can play a greater role in helping to address the housing emergency. This consultation primarily relates to potential PDR changes that might help to address the housing emergency. It also seeks views on measures to support the deployment of heat networks and domestic air source heat pumps. The full consultation can be found here | 27 October 2025 |
| Northern Ireland | Consultation on the setting of Northern Ireland’s Fourth Carbon Budget (2038-2042) | The purpose of this consultation is to offer respondents the opportunity to provide their views on the percentage level at which the Fourth Carbon Budget for Northern Ireland should be set and to offer any supporting evidence which they believe should be considered. Responses will be used to help inform the development of the Regulations. The full consultation can be found here | 17 November 2025 |
