Three new Government departments established in place of disbanded BEIS
The Prime Minister has announced that the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has been disbanded as part of his cabinet reshuffle. Since the United Kingdom left the European Union, the department for BEIS has been responsible for setting the environmental, Net Zero and sustainable goals for the future. In its place, three new departments have been established; the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero; the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology; the Department for Business and Trade.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is tasked with ensuring Britain’s long-term energy supply and managing rising costs and inflation while focusing on delivering Net Zero. The department will be led by Grant Shapps, formerly the Secretary for BEIS. The announcement comes after Chris Skidmore’s independent review of Net Zero, which recommended that the Government establish an “Office for Net Zero Delivery” by spring 2023 in order to properly manage the cross-departmental priorities for Net Zero.
The Energy related Products team (ErP) now resides within the new Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), but its internal team structure remains the same, as well as its relationship with stakeholders and overall team objectives.
The Office for Product Safety & Standards (OPSS) will reside within the new Department for Business & Trade, and it remains the appointed Market Surveillance Authority for Ecodesign and Energy Labelling Regulations in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
The Building Controls industry is worth over £835m to the UK economy and can directly contribute to achieving Net Zero targets. BCIA and the FETA associations will continue to work closely with DSENZ and the Department for Business and Trade to ensure the benefits our industry delivers in the decarbonisation of the built environment and in supporting business users to reduce energy consumption is recognised and reflected in Government strategy.