Leading professional bodies and firms in facilities management (FM) have come together to establish a common definition for the term "statutory" within the context of workplace and facilities management (WFM). This collaborative effort aims to enhance standards, provide clarity and ensure compliance across the industry.
The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE), Building Services Research and Information Association (BSRIA), SFG20 (part of Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) and the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM) have jointly agreed upon this definition, which will serve as a benchmark for drafting specifications and implementing them in FM contracts.
Facilitated by IWFM’s Procurement and Contract Management Special Interest Group (SIG), this agreement addresses the variability in compliance standards observed during statutory inspections. By establishing a unified methodology, the industry aims to streamline practices and improve overall compliance with statutory requirements.
The agreed-upon definition clarifies that "statutory" refers to requirements mandated by primary and secondary legislation, including Acts of Parliament and Statutory Instruments. It underscores the importance of industry standards, government guidance, and Approved Codes of Practice in achieving compliance.
By aligning practices with legislative requirements and industry standards, FM professionals can ensure adherence to statutory obligations and maintain a safe working environment.
This collaborative effort marks a significant milestone in standardising practices and enhancing compliance within the FM industry, paving the way for improved clarity, consistency and accountability.
Full Statement:
"The term 'statutory' denotes anything required by primary legislation such as Acts of Parliament and secondary legislation such as Statutory Instruments (including Regulations).
When working to achieve statutory compliance, primary and secondary legislation often focuses on general outcomes rather than prescribing specific activities. The specific activities required to meet statutory compliance may, therefore, be included in government guidance and Approved Codes of Practice (ACoPs) published by agencies such as the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), or other industry standards and/or guidance (BSI standards, publications by trade associations and professional bodies, etc).
In the absence of a traceable reference to legislation, following industry standards and/or guidance may assist in discharging duties under the statutory requirements.
There may be more than one way of discharging duties. To achieve statutory compliance, remedial actions may need to be identified and completed. Applying a documented process will greatly assist in evidencing these decisions."