Revised versions of the standards, rules and codes for the building control profession (WGC 005/2025)

Circular number:    WGC 005/2025

Date issued:   11/07/2025

Status:    For information

Title:   Revised versions of the standards, rules and codes for the building control profession

Issued by:    Julia Ashford - Building Safety/ Building Regulations policy

Addressed to:    

Local Authority Chief Executives
Welsh Local Government Association 
Local Authority Building Control
Association of Building Control Approvers

Please forward to:

Local Authority Building Control Officers
Members of the Senedd

Summary:

Updated versions of the codes, standards and rules for the building control profession have been published on the Welsh Government’s website. This Circular outlines the changes made.

For further information contact:

Building Regulations Team
Welsh Government Offices
Cardiff
CF10 3NQ  

Direct line:    0300 062 5223
E-mail:    enquiries.brconstruction@gov.wales
Website: building and planning 

Notice of revised standards, codes and rules for the building control profession

1. I am directed by the Welsh Ministers to inform you of the publication of revised versions of the of the standards, codes and rules for the building control profession. These are the

• Building Inspector Competence Framework (BICOF) (Wales)
• Code of Conduct for Registered Building Inspectors (Wales)
• Professional Conduct Rules for Registered Building Control Approvers (Wales)
• Operational Standards Rules (Wales)
• OSR: Monitoring Arrangements (Wales)

2. This Circular letter applies to the building control profession in Wales. 

1. Revised versions of the standards, codes and rules for the building control profession can be found in the Building and planning section of the Welsh Government website.
2. Any future revisions will be published to the same website and notification will be issued.
3. The Code of Conduct for Registered Building Inspectors (Wales) has been updated so that it states that class 3H includes all buildings, not just higher-risk buildings. The wording is now consistent with the registered building inspector competency framework.
4. The Operational Standards Rules (Wales) have had very minor revisions that do not impact the rules or their application
5. Also, all standards, codes and rules documents have had their titles amended for consistency, but that this has no impact on their effect.
6. The majority of updates made to the Operational Standards Rules: Monitoring Arrangements (Wales) are minor changes to wording for the sake of clarity and consistency. It is recommended that all RBCAs read the revised documents, copies with all changes tracked in English and Welsh are available on request.

Any enquiries on this Circular Letter should be addressed to:

Building Regulations, 2^nd Floor, Welsh Government, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ.

E mail: enquiries.brconstruction@gov.wales

Yours faithfully

Mark Tambini 
Head of Building Regulations Policy