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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health Safety Executive (HSE) | Industry Competence Committee - Setting Expectations for Competence Management | The Industry Competence Committee invites feedback from Industry on its guidance document, Setting Expectations for Competence Management. The Industry Competence Committee (ICC) was formed under the Building Safety Act 2022 to provide strategic leadership, assistance and encouragement to facilitate the improvement of competence in the built environment industry. It advises both the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) and industry on matters of competence. The ICC has an objective to set clear expectations for industry on competence and what good looks like for individuals and organisations. The full consultation can be found here | 6 November 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 |
| Wales | Building Regulations Part L: 2025 review | The Welsh Government is consulting on the impacts of changes to Building Regulations Part L (conservation of fuel and power). This also includes changes to: • Part F (Ventilation), and • Part O (Overheating) of the Building Regulations, and • associated Approved Document guidance. For the full consultation click here | 17 November 2025 |
| Northern Ireland - DAERA | Consultation on the setting of Northern Ireland’s Fourth Carbon Budget (2038-2042) | Consultation on the setting of Northern Ireland’s Fourth Carbon Budget (2038-2042) The Climate Change (Carbon Budgets 2023-2037) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 which were approved by the Assembly in December 2024 set the first three carbon budgets for Northern Ireland. They are: • First Carbon Budget: The carbon budget for the 2023-2027 budgetary period is an annual average of 33% lower than the baseline. • Second Carbon Budget: The carbon budget for the 2028-2032 budgetary period is an annual average of 48% lower than the baseline. • Third Carbon Budget: The carbon budget for the 2033-2037 budgetary period is an annual average of 62% lower than the baseline. In line with the requirements of sections 56 and 58 of the Act we have sought and obtained the expert advice of the UK Climate Change Committee (CCC) on the level at which Northern Ireland’s Fourth Carbon Budget should be set. In March this year the UK Climate Change Committee provided an advice report “Northern Ireland’s Fourth Carbon Budget”, to the Northern Ireland Executive and it recommends that the Fourth Carbon Budget is set at an annual average reduction of 77% in emissions across the period (against the 1990 baseline). 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 For full consultation click here | 17 November 2025 |
| Wales | Draft National Framework for Fire and Rescue Services | The Fire and Rescue Service needs to adapt to that context, to create the capacity, capability and culture to respond to an uncertain and in many ways more dangerous world. This Framework sets out how it should do so, honestly, fearlessly and objectively. It will also be essential to do so in full partnership with employees and with other stakeholders: change on this scale can never succeed if it is simply forced through or done in isolation. The Welsh Government is rightly proud of its firefighters; It now needs to support them to confront the challenges ahead. Go to full consultation click here | 17 December 2025 |
| Northen Ireland - The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) | Public Consultation - Review of Planning Fees | The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) has published a public consultation and invites views from the public and stakeholders on potential changes to The Planning (Fees) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (the Fees Regulations). These potential changes focus on the introduction of set fees for non-material changes and discharge of conditions planning applications. For consulatation click here | 23 December 2025 |
| England and UK | Material information in property listings | This consultation seeks views on how government issued guidance can support estate agents with their legal responsibility to provide potential buyers with relevant information (material information) during residential property transactions, as well as views on what should be considered material information for buyers. Go to consultation click here | 29 December 2025 |
| Scotland | Draft Circular Economy Strategy | The Scottish Government is committed to moving from a linear “take, make and dispose” economic model to a circular economy where materials and goods are valued and kept in use for as long as possible. This draft circular economy strategy sets out the rationale and benefits of a more circular economy within the wider economic framework and describes our overall vision to 2045 and the outcomes that we are working towards. The consultation closes on 13 January 2026. Go to consultation click here | 13 January 2026 |
