Engineering Council fully launches UK-SPEC HRB Standard

Today (1 May 2025) the Engineering Council have officially launched their UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence and Commitment contextualised for Higher-Risk Buildings (UK-SPEC HRB).

The Council have issued a press release featuring words of support from CABE CEO Richard Harral and other leading industry figures.

CABE Members have the opportunity to become professionally registered against the Engineering Council’s new Standard - see our dedicated page here.

Becoming HRB registered shows commitment to ethical practice and continuing professional development. You will be able to show that you have been assessed against rigorous national standards through peer-review and have demonstrated the competence and commitment to be trusted to work safely and in the public interest on higher-risk buildings.

For duty holders, responsible persons, employers and society, HRB registration confirms that the engineers and technicians who are working for them have been recognised as competent to work on HRBs - on their design, construction, maintenance, and operation. 

The new Standard has been developed by the Engineering Council in response to recommendations made in Dame Judith Hackitt’s independent review of building regulations and fire safety, ‘Building a Safer Future’, which was commissioned by the UK Government in the aftermath of the tragic Grenfell Tower Fire in 2017.  

It was developed in collaboration with professional engineering institutions and expert volunteers, and sets out how the UK-SPEC should be applied specifically to those undertaking engineering work in the HRB sector. It defines the benchmarks of competence and commitment required, describes the routes onto the HRB Engineering Council Register, and outlines the requirements for five yearly revalidations, to ensure competence.

To learn more about how to become a recognised trusted HRB professional, click here.